Universal Forum of Cultures Barcelona 2004

The Forum was an event that brought together the various agents that comprise civil society. The Forum promoted dialogue with the aim of building a legacy at both local and international level. Three main themes defined the Forum: Cultural diversity, sustainable development and conditions for peace.
The Universal Forum of Cultures 2004 was co-organized by the Barcelona City Council, the Catalan Autonomous Government and the Spanish Government. UNESCO was the main partner involved in the event, with the unanimous support of the organization’s 186 member states.

The three bodies organizing the event unanimously approved the Statement of Principles and Values, which was based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and United Nations program principles, the only values recognized internationally. The document reflects the determination of Forum organizers to disseminate UN principles through all of the initiatives associated with the event. In the Statement of Principles and Values, the Forum makes a commitment to sustainability as one of its three core themes and takes on an active role to ensure consistency in its application.

As a result of the participative work between local and international bodies, and through the active presence of several United Nations organizations, the Forum was able to leave same legacies like new organizations and authorities for dialogue, declarations and agendas and agreements.