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A range of cultures makes the world a more interesting place and a richer environment in which to explore who and what we are, and to redefine who and what we can be. T.S. Eliot, in his Notes towards the Definition of Culture, describes culture as existing simultaneously on three interrelated levels: at an individual level, at a group or class level, and at the level of an entire society. The quality of individual life is thus inextricably intertwined with the quality of the culture of the society at large. For Eliot, as for us all, the concepts of culture and civilization can not be distinguished, and erosion of the values and quality of one inevitably affects the other. For decades, global media systems have increasingly encouraged, consciously or unconsciously, similarity in dress, behavior, ideals of beauty, musical tastes, cuisine, and aspirations (typically based on a Western aesthetic) across what were once distinct cultural and national boundaries. Some see no threat in this "universal civilization." But many believe Western cultural dominance poses a unique threat to a world better characterized by cultural diversity. As Shimon Peres stated, "A country is not just some land within borders, it must have a spiritual and moral identity. Just as we have concentrated so much on defending our borders, we must concentrate on defending our heritage." You can explore strategies and solutions for addressing these cultural issues in the Plan section.
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