GLOBALIZATION CAN REVITALIZE CULTURAL IDENTITIES, DIRECTOR-GENERAL SAYS AT OPENING OF EXHIBITION OF PAINTINGS BY INDIGENOUS ARTISTS

22.07.03

Sergei Ordzhonikidze, the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva, today opened an exhibition of paintings by Nahua indigenous artists from Guerrero, Mexico. The exhibition, which is open from 21 to 31 July, is organized in collaboration between the Permanent Mission of Mexico and UNOG to mark the opening of the 21st session of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations and the International day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples on 9 August.
The Director-General highlighted the potential for globalization to be a truly integrating and inclusive force, providing greater prosperity for all. ‘Increased communication and interaction between peoples brought by globalization need not lead to cultural homogenisation’, he said, ‘on the contrary, it can lead to greater understanding of both differences and similarities, and therefore to greater tolerance. Rather than restrain cultural identities, it can revitalize them.’