October, Global Diversity Awareness Month, presents the perfect opportunity to learn more about new cultures, and explore the diversity that makes the world such a wonderful place. 

As the world becomes more and more connected and globalized, it’s important to remember that a ‘global monoculture’, or a homogenization of cultures, can overshadow traditional cultures and unique traits of people. Embracing cultural diversity – in all aspects of life – can help to avoid a global monoculture. The phrase ‘cultural diversity’ can also refer to having different cultures respect each other’s differences. 

In 1948, The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly at the Palais de Chaillot, in Paris. The Declaration represents the first global expression of rights to which all human beings are inherently entitled. It is essentially an acknowledgment that we should remember and understand the value of each human being, regardless of nationality, color, race, sex, gender, country of origin, language, or otherwise. 

Global Diversity Awareness Month is a learning opportunity for everyone to gain an understanding of various cultures and to explore the beauty of the unity in our diversity.