The importance of the International Day for Tolerance

NOVEMBER 16 marks the commemoration of the International Day for Tolerance. The purpose of the International Day for Tolerance is to promote awareness of the value of tolerance in society and to raise awareness of the negative effects of an intolerant culture and celebrate receptivity.

According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), only tolerance can ensure the survival of mixed communities around the globe in every region, as individuals are diverse. This era of globalisation, where people from different communities live together, demands tolerance and harmony. Tolerance builds a society in which every individual is valued and respected.

This means building societies founded on respect for human rights, where fear, distrust and marginalisation are supplanted by pluralism, participation and respect for differences. This is the message of the International Day for Tolerance – reflected in the UNESCO Declaration of Principles on Tolerance, adopted in 1995.

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History of International Day Tolerance

The International Day for Tolerance was started by the UN General Assembly, with the goal of getting educational institutions and the general public to see tolerance as a staple of society. And it came after the United Nations declared a Year of Tolerance in 1995.

In 1995, UNESCO created the Declaration of Principles on Tolerance as a way to define and provide awareness of tolerance for any and all governing and participating bodies. That day in 1995 was November 16. Now, as an anniversary of that declaration, we celebrate the International Day for Tolerance every November 16 to help spread tolerance and raise awareness of any intolerance that may still be prevalent in the world today. Although we should be tolerant every day, it’s good to have one occasion to remind us just how important tolerance is.

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Additionally, UNESCO created an award to recognise those with great achievements in promoting the spirit of tolerance or non-violence in fields such as science, culture and the arts. The UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize and the UNESCO International Day for Tolerance both recognise that tolerance is a universal human right.

How to celebrate the International Day for Tolerance

To celebrate the International Day for Tolerance, many events are held around the globe at educational institutions to raise awareness about the significance of tolerance among cultures and socio-economic groups. One way to celebrate the internationally recognised day is to learn more about tolerance and intolerance and embrace the differences that exist between cultures.