A/HRC/16/37 68. Dialogues must enable learning as a two-way process in order to facilitate a cross-fertilization of ideas. It was equally important to acknowledge that real differences in perspectives linked to traditional values could present serious challenges. Human dignity lay at the core of human rights. While concepts of human dignity were found in every society and were tied to value systems, ways of living together and beliefs that came together in “culture”, it was equally necessary to recognize that some practices and attitudes at odds with human dignity also derived from traditional values. Attitudes of cultural communities towards particular individuals because of some distinctive characteristic or trait that they possessed could be hugely problematic, denying the human worth of such individuals who were treated without dignity and, sometimes, may even be deprived of life. It was essential to maintain and uphold the right of every individual to accept or challenge tradition, for human rights meant ensuring human dignity as well as equality of all and respect for each person, regardless of any attribute or characteristic. 69. Intercultural dialogue based on the equal respect for the world’s cultures and the protection and promotion of human rights allowed genuine exchanges and was the most valuable tool for enhancing harmony and bridging the gap between the abstract principles of universalism and concrete divergent particularities. Dialogue must take place among and within cultural traditions. 70. Lastly, there was a danger in making something as undefined and constantly evolving as “traditional values” the standard for human rights. While drawing upon the richness of cultural diversity, all societies must continuously reinforce the promotion and protection of human dignity and the worth of all members of society through the norms and standards of human rights as developed and accepted by the international community. Positive values existed in all cultures, but there was a need to support communities to examine, contest, negotiate and reconcile their values and practices with human rights. 16