The protection and respect for the right to cultural identity and participation in cultural life take various forms

The protection and respect for the right to cultural identity and participation in cultural life take various forms; they encompass the protection of everyone’s right to enjoy their culture, profess, and practise their religion; freedom to use their native language in the community and to identify with their ethnic group; freedom to observe traditional practices, etc. The UNCESCR (United Nations Committee on Economic Social and Cultural Rights) also stresses three interrelated main components of the right to participate in cultural life: (a) the ability of everyone to participate alone or in association with others in the free choice of his or her identity and to seek, develop and share cultural knowledge, expressions and creativity; (b) access to know and understand his or her own culture and that of others through education and information, and to receive a quality education and training with due regard for cultural identity; and (c) contribution to the cultural life of the community, which inversely includes the right not to participate.

Cultural Factors: Ethnicity, Customs/traditions/rituals, Norms/values

Hazards: Natural hazards, Man-made non-intentional hazards or emergency situations

Disaster Phases: Response

Types of Actors Concerned: Non-active citizens, Government

Recommendations:

• Employ an overarching rights-based approach in disaster policies and operations