The world observes the International Day for Tolerance annually on 16 November. This global occasion seeks to promote the values of tolerance and mutual respect among individuals and communities, particularly in the context of growing cultural and religious diversity worldwide.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) established this day in 1995, following the adoption of the Declaration of Principles on Tolerance by the UN General Assembly. Its aim is to uphold peaceful relations grounded in respect for cultural, ethnic, and religious differences, and to remind peoples and governments of the importance of fostering tolerance, understanding, and peaceful coexistence among diverse cultures and faiths.
On this occasion, the League of Arab States underscores the need to disseminate a culture of dialogue and mutual understanding, and to promote awareness of the importance of tolerance as a moral, human, and societal value. Tolerance is not merely a slogan; it entails respecting the right of others to be different and recognising that diversity is a source of cultural enrichment that supports development and prosperity, and provides a solid foundation for building sustainable peace.
This day comes at a time when the world is witnessing rising levels of intolerance, violence, and hate speech. Its commemoration thus represents an important opportunity to call for action to promote dialogue among cultures and civilisations, to adopt initiatives that reinforce respect for religious, cultural, and linguistic diversity, and to entrench the principles of justice and equality of rights and opportunities. It also highlights the importance of educational, cultural, and media programmes that instil the values of tolerance in rising generations and strengthen their ability to reject extremism, intolerance, and intellectual isolation.
In this spirit, the League of Arab States is working to adopt the Arab Declaration on Tolerance and Peace, which serves as a guiding framework for supporting future efforts to consolidate the values of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence among peoples. This reflects its deep conviction of the importance of building bridges of understanding and peaceful coexistence, reinforcing channels of communication and interaction among followers of different civilisations and cultures, highlighting common ground, and opening sustained dialogue to foster peace, spread the spirit of tolerance, and reject all forms of hatred, bigotry, and discrimination, so that all may live in peace in a world that safeguards human dignity regardless of religion, colour, language, or culture.
In conclusion, the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States reaffirms its call to make the values of tolerance, dialogue, and coexistence integral to society’s vision and to the mission of its institutions, believing that tolerance is the bridge to a more secure, just, and humane future.
