The authors argue that there are multiple definitions of cultural diversity which act as obstacles in trying to identify policy instruments aimed at the promotion or protection of cultural diversity. As an alternative, they propose to understand cultural diversity as a principle with all its diverse goals, limitations or obstacles. They identify different approaches to cultural diversity among the countries of SouthEast Europe and make recommendations for areas where a mapping exercise on cultural policies could focus: demographics; links between different policy fields such as education, language and the media; human rights; minority policies and activities.