Bridging Cultures, Building Futures: The Role of Cultural Dialogue in Sustainable Development
The 21st of May marks the annual World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, a global observance celebrating the richness of human cultures and the transformative power of intercultural dialogue. Proclaimed by the United Nations in 2002, this day serves as a vital reminder that culture is not a peripheral concern in development; it is central to building more peaceful, just, and sustainable societies.
As the world grapples with complex challenges, from conflict and polarization to climate change and inequality, the urgency of fostering cultural understanding has never been greater. Culture, with its deep roots in identity and expression, offers a powerful means to bridge divides, generate creative solutions, and promote shared values. It is also essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to education, peacebuilding, and the development of inclusive institutions.
At Alwaleed Philanthropies, we believe that cultural diversity is not simply to be acknowledged; it must be actively nurtured and supported effectively. Through long-term partnerships and visionary initiatives, we work to build platforms where values of dialogue thrive, empathy deepens, and understanding expands.
One such platform is the Alwaleed Cultural Network (ACN), a global collaboration of academic and cultural institutions across three continents. The Network fosters intercultural partnerships, digital innovation, and community engagement through education, exhibitions, and research. Its members include Harvard, Georgetown, Cambridge, Edinburgh, NYU Abu Dhabi, the American Universities in Beirut and Cairo, the University of Oxford Museums, including the History of Science Museum and the Pitt Rivers Museum, the Museum of Islamic Art in Berlin, and Turquoise Mountain.
Promoting Understanding through Education and Art
The ACN recognizes the power of education, art, and culture in promoting cross-cultural understanding. To this end, the Network has created a series of online events featuring experts from diverse fields, exploring the complexities of our global society. These events bring together some of the brightest minds working at the intersection of heritage, identity, and innovation.
Additionally, ACN offers free and accessible online courses that are culturally driven, ensuring that global audiences, regardless of background or geography, can engage with high-quality educational content.
A Wealth of Resources
The Network’s dynamic digital platform functions as a central hub for global culture, religion, and the arts. Visitors can access a wealth of open-access materials including research publications, online exhibitions, virtual events, and multimedia content. As of 2023, the platform hosts nearly 100 individual resources, making it a valuable destination for anyone interested in broadening their cultural horizons.
In collaboration with UNESCO, ACN has also successfully delivered two live collaborative events, the recordings of which are readily accessible on the website, ensuring widespread access to valuable discussions and insights. These partnerships reflect ACN’s ongoing efforts to extend its reach and impact through global cooperation.
Accomplishments and Expansion
In 2023 and early 2024, ACN supported 88 postgraduate students, held 16 cultural events, and significantly expanded its digital and in-person reach, engaging over 400,000 participants. The Network also partnered with UNESCO to deliver two collaborative live events, now available as recordings on the ACN website, thereby extending access to critical cultural dialogues around the world.
Further enriching its multimedia offerings, ACN launched a collaborative video series titled “Multaka Museum Moments”, created in collaboration with Multaka Berlin and Multaka Oxford, highlighting personal and professional reflections from those using museums as spaces for dialogue and inclusion.
In line with its commitment to elevating Islamic art globally, ACN also led a major campaign to promote UNESCO’s International Day of Islamic Art, spotlighting the depth and diversity of Islamic heritage across cultures and continents.
Museum Innovation and Community Engagement
In Berlin, the Museum of Islamic Art, is undergoing a major renovation and expansion in preparation for a new permanent exhibition in 2027, which will showcase over 1,100 objects. The project seeks to support the refurbishment and expansion of the Museum for Islamic Art inside the Pergamon Museum Berlin as well as the development of public awareness through school education programs and the training of newcomers as tour guides at the museum. In 2024, the museum supported 18 Multaka tour guides and reached 1,500 refugees through its inclusive programming.
Renovation efforts began with construction work and object restoration for the future permanent exhibition. Simultaneously, the museum has been developing disability inclusion and accessibility plans, such as blind lane and multisensory experiences, to ensure greater access for all visitors. Public engagement initiatives included education programs in schools and other social forums, while the Multaka Project reached more than 1,500 participants through guided tours and workshops. The museum’s digital platform, Islamic-art.com, complements this mission through e-learning modules, 360° virtual tours, and multilingual content that makes Islamic art accessible worldwide. In 2024 alone, the platform welcomed 437,000 online visitors and served 3,515 students through its educational resources.
Meanwhile in Oxford, the Multaka-Oxford initiative, based at the History of Science Museum and the Pitt Rivers Museum, is using cultural collections to build community, particularly among refugees and newly resettled families. Since its launch, over 8,000 people, more than 5,500 in 2023 alone, have participated in its exhibitions, storytelling workshops, and interactive events centered on Islamic art and material culture.
Separately, at the Musée du Louvre in Paris, France, the Department of Islamic Art has been transformed with new pedagogical and exhibition spaces. Innovations like the Key Cabinet, which uses storytelling and interpretive tools, help illuminate the richness of Islamic heritage for millions of international visitors.
Culture as a Soft Power and a Bridge to the Future
Together, these initiatives demonstrate that culture is not merely about preservation; it is about possibility. It is a dynamic force that builds bridges where there are divides and opens hearts and minds where there is misunderstanding. Culture is a vehicle for empathy, innovation, and global cooperation.
On this World Day for Cultural Diversity, we are reminded that embracing our differences is not a challenge; it is our greatest opportunity. By fostering dialogue and championing inclusion, we pave the way for a more connected, resilient, and peaceful world. At Alwaleed Philanthropies, we remain committed to this mission, working across borders and disciplines to turn cultural understanding into lasting impact.
