cultural, religious and linguistic diversity
cultural, religious and linguistic diversity is one of the fundamental characteristics of developed societies. Its emergence is usually the result of complex demographic, economic and technological developments which bring about the coexistence of groups with different characteristics in a specific spatial and temporal context.
cultural, religious and linguistic diversity can be a primary source of conflict and violence in dysfunctional societies, especially when large and spatially concentrated communities become increasingly separated with little or no convergence of interests and a lack of shared sense of belonging. Such separation into parallel, unconnected communities poses a significant threat to the viability and stability of multi-ethnic states.
However, the responsibility of states entailed by sovereignty also extends to promoting social inclusion. A cornerstone of this is the introduction of affirmative action measures aimed at creating a society that respects and recognises diversity, a state where everyone contributes to creating and maintaining a shared sense of civic identity that is inclusive. State recognition and support for the heterogeneity of the population, and in many cases for multiple identities at both individual and group level, helps to increase security and satisfaction among members of the community concerned, and the diversity of skills and abilities helps to unleash talent, creativity and innovation, and thus, in the longer term, constructive social coexistence.
The political recognition of cultural heterogeneity and the provision of a constitutional framework of rights and obligations arising from it is an important feature of democratic states in the twenty-first century. Since the Second World War modern constitutions and universal and regional international human rights conventions, including European ones, have made cultural, religious and linguistic diversity a fundamental principle, and Article 22 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union specifically emphasises respect for cultural, religious and linguistic diversity.