A/RES/70/156 Human rights and cultural diversity 5. Also recognizes the right of everyone to take part in cultural life and to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress and its applications; 6. Affirms that the international community should strive to respond to the challenges and opportunities posed by globalization in a manner that ensures respect for the cultural diversity of all; 7. Expresses its determination to prevent and mitigate cultural homogenization in the context of globalization, through increased intercultural exchange guided by the promotion and protection of cultural diversity; 8. Affirms that intercultural dialogue essentially enriches the common understanding of human rights and that the benefits to be der ived from the encouragement and development of international contacts and cooperation in the cultural fields are important; 9. Welcomes the recognition at the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance of th e necessity of respecting and maximizing the benefits of diversity within and among all nations in working together to build a harmonious and productive future by putting into practice and promoting values and principles such as justice, equality and non-discrimination, democracy, fairness and friendship, tolerance and respect within and among communities and nations, in particular through public information and educational programmes to raise awareness and understanding of the benefits of cultural diversity, including programmes in which the public authorities work in partnership with international and non-governmental organizations and other sectors of civil society; 10. Emphasizes that dialogue among religions, cultures and civilizations on the basis of equal dignity should be enhanced, through supporting efforts made at the international level towards reducing confrontation, suppressing xenophobia and promoting respect for diversity, and in that regard also emphasizes that States should oppose all attempts at uniculturalism or the imposition of particular models of social or cultural systems and promote dialogue among civilizations, a culture of peace and interfaith dialogue, which will contribute towards peace, security and development; 11. Welcomes the activities of the Non-Aligned Movement Centre for Human Rights and Cultural Diversity in Tehran, and acknowledges the important role that the Centre plays in the promotion of the universality of all human rights as well as their realization; 12. Recognizes that respect for cultural diversity and the cultural rights of all enhances cultural pluralism, contributing to a wider exchange of knowledge and understanding of cultural background, advancing the application and enjoyment of universally accepted human rights throughout the world and fostering stable, friendly relations among peoples and nations worldwide; 13. Emphasizes that the promotion of cultural pluralism and tolerance at the national, regional and international levels is important for enhancing respect for cultural rights and cultural diversity; 14. Also emphasizes that tolerance and respect for diversity facilitate the universal promotion and protection of human rights, including gender equality and the enjoyment of all human rights by all, and underlines the fact that tolerance and respect for cultural diversity and the universal promotion and protection of human rights are mutually supportive; 4/5