CCIVS understanding of cultural diversity is based on UNESCO's approach of the concept. According to the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity adopted by UNESCO in 2001, it is crucial to foster awareness of the added positive value of cultural diversity.
Both societies and individuals are made of many different influences and origins, which can change during the course of time. It is by accepting this diversity and its ever changing nature that we can stop defining human relations in terms of 'us' and 'them' which induce clearly separated ethnic, religious or otherwise defined communities. In today's world intercultural dialogue seems to be necessary to overcome easy stereotypes and prejudices and to face to the cultural diversity in a productive way.
International voluntary service projects can have a positive influence in furthering another vision of diversity and help ensure harmonious interaction amongst people and groups. Toolkits and publications have been produced for fulfilling organisations' needs to have a high awareness of the issues at stake.