As featured on BusinessMirror: Cultural diversity day: Beyond representation, toward belonging
It’s a potluck lunch at the office. Dishes line the table, pancit, lumpia, rice, and a tray of adobo placed at the center. As people begin to eat, a conversation starts. “It’s good,” someone says, “but it’s different from how we cook it back home.” Others point out the balance of flavors, less vinegar, and more sweetness. Someone else mentions a version they grew up with, richer in garlic or cooked longer. Then other chimes in, surprised, “Ours has pineapple in it.”
In that moment, the team wasn’t just talking about food. They were sharing pieces of where they came from. There is no single “correct” way to cook adobo, and in that realization lies something deeper: beyond taste, there is culture. Cultural diversity is visible in how people think, communicate, and contribute, yet not all differences are equally understood, valued, or included.
It is this richness that the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development seeks to recognize. Celebrated every 21 May and led by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the day highlights the importance of understanding, respect, and dialogue among cultures to achieve peace and sustainable development. It is not only a celebration of the world’s diverse traditions, but also a call to build communities that can live together harmoniously.
Globally, the United Nations emphasizes that bridging cultural divides is urgent and necessary for peace, stability, and sustainable development. Research shows that many conflicts today are rooted in identity-based tensions and limited intercultural understanding, underscoring the importance of dialogue across communities.
In the Philippines, cultural diversity is closely linked to sustainable development. Friction often arises when modern development initiatives intersect with traditional cultures, particularly among Indigenous Peoples (IPs). While modern narratives sometimes paint indigenous practices as archaic or destructive, the opposite is true. For instance, traditional slash-and-burn, a practice designed to let forest soils naturally regenerate, is frequently and unfairly vilified as a destructive system of agriculture. Yet, for generations, these indigenous knowledge systems have provided sustenance by emphasizing balance, seasonal limits, and taking only what is necessary.
As highlighted in recent national discourse, culture also plays a critical role in environmental sustainability and IPs are widely recognized as “keepers of the environment,” possessing generations-old ecological knowledge that supports sustainable resource management and climate resilience. Indigenous knowledge systems and traditional practices often emphasize resource stewardship, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience. Environmental degradation is more often driven by extractive and large-scale development projects introduced without genuine community participation and consultation.
Although the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (IPRA) mandates Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC), gaps in implementation persist. When development proceeds without meaningful intercultural dialogue and consent, it risks displacement, loss of ancestral lands, and social conflict, which raises a critical question:
development for whom? Conversely, integrating indigenous knowledge into sustainability planning strengthens environmental protection, cultural continuity, and social cohesion.
Mechanisms such as the Indigenous Peoples’ Mandatory Representative (IPMR) in local government further promote peace and representation by institutionalizing representation and dialogue in policymaking. Philippine experiences show that when dialogue, consent, and representation are respected, cultural diversity becomes a driver of inclusive, peaceful, and sustainable development, with lessons relevant to broader ASEAN contexts.
Diversity is not only about heritage, but also closely tied to economic growth and social inclusion. Data from UNESCO further highlights its impact. The cultural and creative sector is one of the most powerful engines of development globally, accounting for over 48 million jobs worldwide, nearly half of which are held by women. It represents 6.2% of the total global employment and contributes 3.1% to global GDP. It is also one of the largest sources of opportunity for young people under the age of 30. These figures show that culture is not only something we preserve, but also something that sustains livelihoods and drives progress.
Despite its value, cultural diversity continues to face significant challenges. Around the world, cultural identities are threatened by discrimination, marginalization, and exclusion. Differences in language, traditions, and beliefs can sometimes lead to misunderstanding rather than appreciation. For many communities, particularly those on the margins, culture is not only something to celebrate, but also something that must be protected.
For organizations, cultural diversity presents both opportunity and risk. Diverse teams can drive innovation, improve problem-solving, and strengthen decision-making, all of which are critical enablers of long-term performance. However, without effective integration, diversity can also lead to misalignment, communication barriers, and inefficiencies. The challenge lies not in diversity itself, but in how it is governed and managed.
At R.G. Manabat & Co., we recognize that advancing cultural diversity and inclusion extends beyond internal initiatives to how we engage with and support the wider business community. As workplaces become more global and interconnected, organizations are expected to create environments where diverse perspectives are respected, valued, and reflected in decision-making. We work with organizations to operationalize inclusion by integrating diversity considerations into governance and risk frameworks, strengthening people and culture data, and aligning inclusive practices with overall business strategy. Through our ESG Transformation, Reporting, and Assurance services, we help organizations move beyond aspiration toward measurable and sustainable inclusion outcomes. Independent assurance further reinforces this effort by enhancing the credibility, transparency, and accountability of diversity-related disclosures amid rising stakeholder expectations.
As we observe Cultural Diversity Day this 21 May, it serves as a reminder that understanding begins with simple acts such as listening, learning, and choosing to see value in difference. It challenges us to move beyond celebration and toward inclusivity, to ensure that every culture is not only recognized but respected and protected. Because just like the dish that feels familiar to many yet unique to each, culture is not defined by a single version. It is shaped by many voices, many histories, and many hands. Perhaps, in recognizing that, we begin to see not just what makes us different, but what allows us to connect.
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This article is for general information purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice to a specific issue or entity. The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily represent KPMG International or R.G. Manabat & Co.