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International Day For Tolerance
Every year on November 16, International Day for Tolerance is observed across the globe to..

by Sukanya Prabhakar / 17 Nov 2020 16:02 PM IST / 0 Comment(s) / 419

Every year on November 16, International Day for Tolerance is observed across the globe to recognize human rights and fundamental freedom. The day is also observed to spread the message that in a world full of diversity and people belonging to different communities, only tolerance can secure the endurance and survival of mixed communities across the world.



As the Declaration of Principles on Tolerance states - "Tolerance is respect, acceptance and appreciation of the rich diversity of our world's cultures, our forms of expression, and ways of being human".



UNESCO's member states, on November 16, 1995, adopted a 'Declaration of Principles on Tolerance' and the UN General Assembly invited UN member states and took the decision to observe the day on November 16, 1996, under the resolution 51/95.



The Declaration also specifies tolerance not only as a moral duty but also as a legal and political requirement for individuals and groups.



As per the United Nations, the tolerance can be countered through:





  • Law: as governments are responsible to enforce human rights laws.




  • Education: Laws are mandatory but not without education. To counter intolerance, education should be the priority.




  • Access to Information: The most effective way is through press freedom and pluralism to differentiate between facts and opinions.




  • Individual Awareness: The individuals must be aware of the linkage between their behaviour and the ruthless cycle of violence and mistrust in society.




  • Local Solutions: It should not only be the institutions and govt.'s responsibility to act alone against intolerance.





To mark the day and to commemorate the 125th birth-anniversary of Mahatama Gandhi, UNESCO has created a prize, the UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence, to promote non-violence and tolerance. The award is awarded every two years to persons, institutions or organizations.


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