Cultural diversity refers to the presence of diverse cultures in a society where people from different communities irrespective of caste, creed, language, religion and race live together. The phrase ‘Cultural Diversity’ refers to having different cultures respect each other’s differences. Respecting cultural diversity is to appreciate and value the diverse culture in a society. We should have a proper knowledge and understanding of cultures which are not ours because it is necessary in order to bring about peace, harmony and love in the society.
Culture is the lens with which we evaluate everything around us. So, if we immerse ourselves in diverse cultures, we get opportunities to interact and mingle with people from different backgrounds and learn from one another. We can build trust, love, respect and understanding across cultures thereby wiping out all the negative stereotypes and personal biases about different groups.
Studies show that diversity in education, particularly in college campuses, improves intellectual engagement, self-motivation, citizenship and cultural management and academic skills like critical thinking, problem solving and writing for students of all races. Interacting with diverse peers directly benefits students in expanding knowledge about their different worlds, beliefs, practices and more, making them better students, scholars, thinkers and citizens.
Culture shapes our identity and influences our behaviour and cultural diversity makes us accept, integrate and assimilate with other cultures. Cultural diversity has become very important in today’s world. Diversity is not only important for adults but children should also be taught to accept and value different cultures by their parents, elders or teachers because today’s children will be tomorrow’s leaders.

Multicultural society is characterised by meeting various cultures, nations, languages and religions. The immigrants come to the new country equipped with their own habits and culture. Immigrants are not the people who come temporarily or commute because of their work. Immigrants are individuals or groups who leave their own country with the aim of living permanently somewhere else.
When a person wants to live in another country, they usually prepare for such a new experience. It is necessary to learn the new language and be aware of the history, politics and culture of the new country. Everything new is usually cold, dangerous, threatening (Maletzke, 1996).
People of various cultures meet with each other and have to deal with each other, with new situations and experiences. Culture is multifaceted, dynamic and various. Original meaning of the word culture comes from the Latin word “colere“ which meant looking after as in agriculture, i.e. looking after the field. The word has changed its meaning many times. Culture can be understood as a synonym for sharing ideas about the world. In all groups and human races there are various viewpoints of the world and life. It is very difficult to find exact barriers between particular cultures (Eriksen, 2007). Culture and cultural identity have become in the course of centuries an important political tool.
Intercultural communication means the social interaction of different cultures. These cultures can be represented by both individuals and organisations, social groups, schools, associations, societies and even states. Culture is a set of factors giving a sense and value to human coexistence in a society. It includes religion, social and cultural values, art, education and science. Culture and social development influence each other. However, people often have a lot of prejudices and stereotypes (Weig, Mensing, 1997). Just knowledge of cultural distinctions facilitates intercultural communication.

There are two primary objections to multiculturalism. One is that multiculturalism privileges the good of certain groups over the common good, thereby potentially eroding the common good in favour of a minority interest. National unity could become impossible if people see themselves as members of ethnic or racial groups rather than as citizens of a common country. The second is that multiculturalism undermines the notion of equal individual rights, thereby weakening the political value of equal treatment. Equal individual rights could be set aside or deprecated in favour of rights that are possessed by the group.
Multiculturalism raises other questions. There is the question of which cultures will be recognized. Some theorists have worried that multiculturalism can lead to a competition between cultural groups all vying for recognition and that this will further reinforce the dominance of the dominant culture. Such competition could even lead to a reaction in which the dominant culture sees itself as a beleaguered group in need of recognition and protection. Further, the focus on cultural group identity may reduce the capacity for coalitional political movements that might develop across differences. Some Marxist and feminist theorists have expressed worry about the dilution of other important differences shared by members of a society that do not necessarily entail a shared culture, such as class and sex, and the resulting neglect of policies that would minimise economic and gender inequalities. A related concern is that actions that celebrate cultural pluralism would be taken because of their popularity but that actions that redress past discrimination would not be taken because of their threat to the dominant group’s status.