Cultural Diversity

Cultural diversity is a system of beliefs and behaviors that recognizes and respects the presence of all diverse groups in society, acknowledges and values socio-cultural differences and encourages and enables their sustainable contributions in the context of an inclusive culture that empowers all people. This cultural diversity is the most important source for building continuity for individuals, communities and countries. A culture can influence what one generation chooses to teach or pass on to the next so that the culture is not lost to time.  

Humanity has occupied almost every corner of the world, for centuries. When people live and work together, they develop different cultures. In terms of culture and ethnicity, culture refers to the life forms and history, language, values, symbols, customs and practices of ethnic communities. Ethnic community, which is the most important feature of its meaning, can be defined as a form of community life with common ancestry, history and also a language that its members experience and appreciate.

Cultural diversity can be seen from the language used for daily conversation, the way of dressing such as using dresses, using shirts, pants or skirts. In Indonesia there is a lot of cultural heritage, there are 12 intangible cultural heritage of the UNESCO world, one of which is wayang. Cultural traditions in Indonesia are still maintained until now, so that these traditions coexist with society. 

For example, the tiwah ritual tradition in Central Kalimantan. The issue of globalization can also have bigger consequences in the long run. Globalization does not always mean homogeneity, in some ways globalization encourages and enables diversity. We live in a world where everything is international, multinational and multicultural. 

Biodiversity conservation, the practice of protecting and conserving and diversity of species, habitats, ecosystems and genetic diversity. Biodiversity conservation is essential for economic growth as well as poverty alleviation. Natural ecosystems cannot be understood, conserved and managed without recognizing the human cultures that shape them, as biodiversity and culture are interdependent. Racial diversity is a protected characteristic that refers to a person's race, color, nationality and national or ethnic origin. 

Cultural decay can occur due to the destruction of human heritage, inadequate diversification and degradation of the socio-cultural environment.  More narrowly, it can occur due to loss of cultural knowledge, cultural suicide, endangered cultures. This is caused by lack of respect for cultural differences, rejection of other cultures, cultural alienation etc.