A Call for Tolerance: Reflecting on International Day for Tolerance 2024 (annual, 16th November)

DiPaMe-16112024. - On November 16th each year, the world pauses to reflect on the importance of tolerance on the International Day for Tolerance. Established in 1995 by UNESCO, this day commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Principles on Tolerance by UNESCO Member States. This declaration defines tolerance as "respect, acceptance and appreciation of the rich diversity of our world’s cultures, our forms of expression and ways of being human" and recognizes it as a cornerstone of human rights and peaceful coexistence.

The IDfT serves as a reminder that tolerance is not merely passive acceptance; it is an active commitment to understanding and engaging with differences.It necessitates standing up against injustice and promoting dialogue among diverse cultures and peoples.

Historical Context

The International Day for Tolerance emerged from a historical context marked by escalating intolerance, violence, and discrimination. Events like the Rwandan and Bosnian genocides in the 1990s, fueled by ethnic and cultural conflicts, underscored the devastating consequences of intolerance. These events highlighted the need for a global commitment to fostering a culture of peace and respect for human rights.

The Role of International Organizations

The UN, UNESCO, and other international organizations play crucial roles in promoting tolerance worldwide. UNESCO, in particular, has spearheaded initiatives to combat intolerance through education, intercultural dialogue, and awareness-raising campaigns. The UN General Assembly, in 1996, formally invited all UN Member States to observe the International Day for Tolerance, further solidifying the global commitment to this vital principle.

The UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize

In honour of Mahatma Gandhi's 125th birthday and the UN Year for Tolerance in 1995, UNESCO established the UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize. Awarded every two years on the International Day for Tolerance, this prize recognizes individuals, organizations, and institutions for their remarkable contributions to promoting tolerance and non-violence in various fields, including science, arts, culture, and communication. This prize exemplifies the active role individuals and organizations play in building more tolerant societies.

Forms of Intolerance

Intolerance manifests in various forms, ranging from subtle biases to overt discrimination and violence. Racism, xenophobia, religious intolerance, and discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation, disability, and other factors continue to plague societies globally. These forms of intolerance not only violate fundamental human rights but also hinder social progress and development.

Addressing Intolerance: A Multifaceted Approach

Countering intolerance requires a comprehensive approach that addresses its root causes and promotes a culture of respect and understanding. Education plays a pivotal role in fostering tolerant attitudes from a young age. Educational systems need to incorporate values of tolerance, critical thinking, and empathy into their curricula.

Access to information and media literacy are equally important in combating intolerance. Free and independent media can play a crucial role in challenging stereotypes and promoting dialogue. Additionally, individuals need to be aware of their own biases and actively work to challenge them. Engaging in respectful conversations with people from diverse backgrounds can help broaden perspectives and foster mutual understanding.

Practices like mindfulness meditation can cultivate self-awareness and compassion, which can contribute to more tolerant attitudes.

Mindfulness can help individuals develop greater awareness of their thoughts, emotions, and reactions, enabling them to respond to challenging situations with more understanding and less reactivity. This can be particularly helpful in navigating situations involving conflict or prejudice.

International Day for Tolerance 2024: A Call to Action

International Day for Tolerance 2024 serves as a potent reminder of the ongoing need to champion tolerance and combat all forms of intolerance. The core message of the IDfT remains consistent: fostering respect, understanding, and acceptance among diverse cultures and peoples.

Individuals can observe this day by educating themselves about different cultures, engaging in respectful dialogue with people from different backgrounds, and participating in events that promote tolerance.

What To Learn From This Event

The International Day for Tolerance offers valuable lessons for individuals and societies alike. It reminds us that tolerance is not a passive trait but an active commitment to building a more just and equitable world. It highlights the importance of education, dialogue, and individual responsibility in challenging intolerance and fostering a culture of respect.

Each individual can contribute to a more tolerant world by practicing empathy, challenging their own biases, and engaging in respectful dialogue with others. The collective effort of individuals embracing these values can lead to more inclusive and peaceful societies where diversity is celebrated, not feared.

Reference List ... Sources ...

Here is a complete list of the sources we refer to structured in A-Z order.

• Declaration of principles on tolerance: adopted by the General Conference of UNESCO at its twenty-eighth session, Paris, 16 November 1995. (1996). UNESCO. SHS.96/WS/5
  Also available in:
  Arabic: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000151830_ara
  French: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000151830_fre
  Spanish: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000151830_spa
• "Democracy and Global Citizenship | UNESCO". UNESCO. Retrieved November 13, 2023, from https://www.unesco.org/en/themes/democracy-global-citizenship
• "Defining Tolerance". (2015). UNESCO. SHS-2014/WS/7, edited by: Paul Siblot, corporate author: Université de Montpellier III (France). Praxiling
  Also available in:
  French: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000232631_fre
  Arabic: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000232631_ara
• "Education transforms lives | UNESCO". UNESCO. Retrieved November 13, 2023, from https://www.unesco.org/en/education 
• "Fundamental rights report 2024 - Publications Office of the EU". (2024). Publications Office of the European Union. TK-AL-24-001-EN-N, Corporate author: European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights
• fundamental rights report 2024-TKAL24001ENN.pdf (2024). Publications Office of the European Union - https://fra.europa.eu/en/publication/2024/fundamental-rights-report-2024
• "How Mindfulness Can Boost Your Patience and Tolerance" - https://www.linkedin.com/advice/0/how-can-you-become-more-patient-tolerant-others-skills-mindfulness-yj8de
• INFOPACK-Mindfulness-for-Tolerance (1).pdf. - https://www.arkafondacija.rs/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/INFOPACK-Mindfulness-for-Tolerance.pdf
• "International Day for Tolerance - 16 Nov. - Racism. No Way!". (n.d.). Retrieved November 13, 2023, from
• "International Day for Tolerance - Wikipedia". (2023). In Wikipedia. Retrieved November 13, 2023, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=International_Day_for_Tolerance&oldid=1257731778
• "International Day for Tolerance 2024". (n.d.). Retrieved November 13, 2023, from https://www.betterinternetforkids.eu/web/portal/practice/awareness/detail?articleId=7362126
• "International Day for Tolerance 2024: Date, history, significance, call to action - India Today". (n.d.). India Today. Retrieved November 13, 2023, from https://www.indiatoday.in/
• "International Day for Tolerance | UNESCO". UNESCO. Retrieved November 13, 2023, from https://www.unesco.org/en/days/tolerance
• "International Day for Tolerance – 16 November". (n.d.). Geneva International Centre for Justice (GICJ). Retrieved November 13, 2023, from https://www.gicj.org/international-days/46-international-day-for-tolerance-16-november
• "International Day for Tolerance: 16 November | United Nations". (n.d.). United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI). Retrieved November 13, 2023, from https://academicimpact.un.org/en/content/international-day-for-tolerance-16-november
• "International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust | UNESCO". UNESCO. Retrieved November 13, 2023, from https://www.unesco.org/en/days/holocaust-remembrance
• "It’s International Day for Tolerance | November 16, 2024 | by Checkiday | Nov, 2024 | Medium". (n.d.). Retrieved November 13, 2023, from https://medium.com/
• "New youth champions trained to fight racism and discrimination | UNESCO". UNESCO. Retrieved November 13, 2023, from https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/new-youth-champions-trained-fight-racism-and-discrimination
• "The Effect of Mindfulness Therapy on Tolerance of Uncertainty and Thought-Action Fusion in Patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder - Quarterly Journal of Child Mental Health". (n.d.). Retrieved November 13, 2023, from https://www.qjmh.ir/en/
• "The relationship between mindfulness and ambiguity tolerance.pdf" - https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1996&context=etd
• Dealing with the Unknown: Can Mindfulness
  Help People Tolerate Ambiguity? "Thesis-Final-Version.pdf" - https://thesis.eur.nl/pub/56775/Thesis-Final-Version.pdf
• "UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence | UNESCO". UNESCO. Retrieved November 13, 2023, from https://www.unesco.org/en/prizes/madanjeet-singh
• "Understanding the Window of Tolerance". (n.d.). Mindful. Retrieved November 13, 2023, from https://www.mindful.org/
• "World Programme for Human Rights Education (2005-ongoing) | OHCHR". (n.d.). Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Retrieved November 13, 2023, from https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/world-programme-human-rights-education-2005-ongoing
• "Youth and policy makers join forces in pandemic recovery efforts | UNESCO". UNESCO. Retrieved November 13, 2023, from https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/youth-and-policy-makers-join-forces-pandemic-recovery-efforts
• "Youth | UNESCO". UNESCO. Retrieved November 13, 2023, from https://www.unesco.org/en/youth

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