On
this International Day of Tolerance,
as the world finds itself trying to cope
with one of the most vicious displays
of intolerance every committed, Secretary
General Kofi Annan called upon the international
community to reaffirm its commitment
to tolerance in a statement made this
morning at the United Nations.
"In
our globalizing world, tolerance is more
essential than ever," said Annan. "Dialogue
must prevail over violence, understanding
over indifference, knowledge of others
over ignorance and prejudice. Those must
be the goals of the United Nations as we
work to bridge the divide among peoples
and cultures."
In 1993 the General Assembly announced
that 1995 would be the United Nations Year
for Tolerance, and it was during this year
that the International Day of Tolerance
came into existence. On November 16, 1997,
the General Assembly invited member states
to observe the first International Day
of Tolerance, with activities directed
towards both educational establishments
and the wider public.
This year, while no special events have
been planned at the UN, Annan said that
the day and its implications are more important
than ever.
"Since the horrific attacks of September
11, the world has found itself united as
never before," said Annan. "Millions
of people across many societies and cultures
have reaffirmed their understanding that
we all belong to the same human family.
They have expressed, in their grief and
solidarity, the shared values that make
up our common humanity."
United
Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights,
Mary Robinson, marked the International
Day of Tolerance in New Delhi, India. In
a statement, Robinson praised the impact
of the World Conference against Racism,
held last September in Durban, South Africa,
on promoting tolerance around the world. "With
the World Conference against Racism last
September in Durban, the global community
chose healing over hate, respect for difference
over prejudice," she said.
Both Annan
and Robinson acknowledged that the work
for tolerance requires the dedication
of individuals, families, communities,
and nations throughout the world. "The
work of promoting tolerance starts with
the small actions we take everyday to understand
and accept our neighbors. It starts when
we make our voices heard for justice and
human rights everywhere and when we stand
up for the weak, even if they are far away," said
Robinson.
This year the International Day of Tolerance
coincides with the final day of the 56th
session of the General Assembly. A key
theme heard throughout the week was the
issue of the need for greater tolerance.
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