INTERNATIONAL DAY OF
TOLERANCE
.
The
International Day for Tolerance is a time for people to learn about respecting
and recognizing the rights and beliefs of others. It is also a time of
reflection and debate on the negative effects of intolerance. Live discussions
and debates take place across the world on this day, focusing on how various
forms of injustice, oppression, racism and unfair discrimination have a negative
impact on society.Many educators use the theme of this day to help students in
classrooms or in lecture theatres understand issues centered on tolerance,
human rights and non-violence. These issues are also found in text books,
lesson material and other educational resources used for this event. The UN
Chronicle Online Education also features articles about tolerance.
Information on the day is disseminated through flyers, posters, news articles
and broadcasts, and other promotional material to raise people’s awareness
about the importance of tolerance. Other activities include essays, dialogues
and story-telling of people’s personal accounts of intolerance and how it
affects their lives.
Human
rights activists also use this day as an opportunity to speak out on human
rights laws, especially with regard to banning and punishing hate crimes and
discrimination against minorities. In the workplace, special training programs,
talks, or messages from workplace leaders about the importance of tolerance are
utilized on this day.The UN’s International Day for Tolerance is a global
observance and not a public holiday.In 1996 the UN General Assembly invited
member states to observe the International Day for Tolerance on November 16,
with activities directed towards both educational establishments and the wider
public (resolution 51/95 of 12 December). This action came in the wake of the
United Nations Year for Tolerance, 1995, proclaimed by the assembly in 1993
(resolution 48/126). The year was declared on the General Conference of
UNESCO’s initiative. On November 16, 1995, the UNESCO member states adopted the
Declaration of Principles on Tolerance and Follow-up Plan of Action for the
year.The 2005 World Summit Outcome document outlines the commitment of Heads of
State and Government to advance human welfare, freedom and progress everywhere,
as well as to encourage tolerance, respect, dialogue and cooperation among
different cultures, civilizations and peoples.
UNESCO’s
logo, which features a temple including the UNESCO acronym (for United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) within itself and the words
“United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization” underneath
the temple, is used for online or print promotional material associated with
the International Day for Tolerance. The use of the complete name in English,
in association with one or several other languages provides an explanation of
the acronym of the organization. The six official languages of UNESCO are
Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.Images of people of all
backgrounds, cultures and ages, which are assembled into a collage, are also
used for the International Day for Tolerance to get the message across to
people about understanding tolerance regardless of differences.
16 November 2010 -- At the initiative of UNESCO, 1995 was declared the United Nations Year for Tolerance, and it saw the launching of a world-wide campaign for tolerance and non-violence. The International Day for Tolerance grew out of the momentum of that Year. Building tolerance and trust in diverse communities is not done overnight, but takes time and commitment. Building tolerance requires access to education. Intolerance is often rooted in ignorance and fear: of the unknown, and of the "other", such as other cultures, religions and nations. Intolerance is also closely linked to an exaggerated sense of self-worth and pride: notions taught and learned at an early age. Therefore in coming years, greater emphasis needs to be placed on educating children about tolerance, human rights and fundamental freedoms. But education does not end in school; adults -- firstly as individuals capable of committing acts of intolerance, but more importantly in their capacity as parents, law-makers and law-enforcement officials -- also need to be considered a priority target of our educational efforts.
16 November 2010 -- At the initiative of UNESCO, 1995 was declared the United Nations Year for Tolerance, and it saw the launching of a world-wide campaign for tolerance and non-violence. The International Day for Tolerance grew out of the momentum of that Year. Building tolerance and trust in diverse communities is not done overnight, but takes time and commitment. Building tolerance requires access to education. Intolerance is often rooted in ignorance and fear: of the unknown, and of the "other", such as other cultures, religions and nations. Intolerance is also closely linked to an exaggerated sense of self-worth and pride: notions taught and learned at an early age. Therefore in coming years, greater emphasis needs to be placed on educating children about tolerance, human rights and fundamental freedoms. But education does not end in school; adults -- firstly as individuals capable of committing acts of intolerance, but more importantly in their capacity as parents, law-makers and law-enforcement officials -- also need to be considered a priority target of our educational efforts.
An International Day for Tolerance can serve as an annual occasion for tolerance education as well as for wider social and political reflection and debate on local and global problems of intolerance. It is a moment to take stock of the progress made during the year and to propose fresh policies to close remaining gaps.
Prof.
John Kurakar
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