Mission. Engine. Together.
The International Cultures Celebration is built on a balance between cultural mission and economic feasibility. Neither stands alone.
Human & Cultural Mission
Active promotion of positive intercultural relations, dialogue, education, immigrant dignity, cultural understanding, and the reduction of ignorance, xenophobia, anti-Muslim hostility, antisemitism, anti-immigrant abuse, and dehumanization of any people.
Feasibility & Economic Engine
Making the mission sustainable through Passport to the World, pavilions, sponsors, tourism, trade, Economic Empowerment (S.E.E.D.), MundusPASS, measurable participation, merchant activity, and sustainable income.
Intercultural education is the mission. Economic feasibility is the engine that makes the mission sustainable.
The Coordinated Celebration Ecosystem
Each event has its own purpose. Together, they form the International Cultures Celebration.
Passport to the World
The cultural travel experience and economic engine of the Celebration — pavilions, merchants, performances, offers, cities, and nations across NYC, powered by MundusPASS.
International Cultures Conference at the United Nations
The intellectual and diplomatic forum — panels, speeches, policy dialogue, and cultural diplomacy at UN Headquarters during Celebration week.
Star of Harmony Awards Dinner
Honoring bridge-builders, cultural leaders, artists, institutions, educators, diplomats, public servants, and community leaders advancing intercultural understanding and immigrant dignity.
Presentation of Nations' Flags
Diplomats lead each national contingent from the start of the Parade while displaying their national flag. The flag is presented to a public official, the anthem plays, and Masters of Ceremonies broadcast 'Long Live [Nation's Name].'
International Cultures–Immigrants Parade
The public street expression of the Celebration along Avenue of the Americas — a showcase of world cultures, music, flags, traditional dress, floats, and national contingents.
For socio-cultural organization leaders, immigrant organization leaders, diaspora organization leaders, civic and community organization leaders, cultural federations, ethnic and multicultural media leaders, the Cultures Celebration International Ecosystem connects public cultural participation with Economic Empowerment through S.E.E.D., Passport to the World, MundusPASS, member engagement, merchant participation, and sustainable income opportunities. The five-event ecosystem provides multiple participation pathways for organizations of every scale.
Indigenous, Native & Ancestral Communities. The Celebration recognizes that many nations are home to multiple Indigenous, native, ancestral, regional, linguistic, and cultural communities. Participation honors not only national identity, but also the living cultures, languages, histories, knowledge systems, and contributions of Indigenous peoples, Native American communities, tribal nations, ancestral cultural communities, first peoples, and native peoples from cultures around the world — as living communities, not as folklore. Across all five Celebration events, Indigenous and Native participation is welcomed alongside national, civic, and diaspora participation.
Schools, Universities & Cultural Departments. For elementary schools, junior high schools, high schools, secondary education institutions, colleges, universities, cultural departments, language departments, student organizations, professors, and teachers, the International Cultures Celebration offers a living public classroom where students can experience world cultures, Indigenous traditions, immigrant communities, national pavilions, cultural diplomacy, tourism, language, food, performance, history, and intercultural dialogue — in New York City and through future National City Cultures Celebrations. University cultural departments and programs focused on Spanish, Latin American, Muslim, Islamic, Arab, Middle Eastern, African, Asian, Caribbean, Indigenous, European, and other world cultures are warmly invited to participate.
Foreign Residents & Native-Born Cultural Learners. The Celebration also welcomes foreign residents living away from their native land and native-born residents who want to learn about foreign cultures, understand their neighbors, reduce prejudice, and participate in a more informed multicultural society.