International Day for Tolerance 2023 is on Wednesday, 16 November 2023. Tolerance Day is a United Nations’ observance and is celebrated on 16 November every year since 1996. International Tolerance Day is not a public holiday.
Theme
“Tolerance is respect, acceptance, and appreciation of the rich diversity of our world’s cultures, our forms of expression and ways of being human.” It is the basic theme of International Tolerance Day.
Importance of International Day for Tolerance
One of the core objectives of the United Nations is to build up tolerance among cultures and peoples. Now-a-days, rising violence in societies has increased the vital importance of tolerance.
Tolerance is respect for others’ rights and freedom. Tolerance is not only a moral duty but also a requirement of the present era. States should legislate for equality and basic human rights for the promotion of tolerance and non-violence. Education is an important tool to pave the path to these desired results.
Hashtags
#InternationalToleranceDay
#ToleranceDay
#ToleranceDayToday
#BeTolerant
#ToleranceForAll
#ToleranceFirst
#ToleranceForGood
History
The brief history of International Day for Tolerance is as under,
In 1993, at the initiative of UNESCO, United Nations proclaimed 1995 as “The Year for Tolerance”.
UNESCO’s 1995 Declaration of Principles on Tolerance was,
“Tolerance is respect, acceptance, and appreciation of the rich diversity of our world’s cultures, our forms of expression and ways of being human.”
This declaration initiated the General Assembly of the United Nations for the proclamation of Tolerance Day.
One year later, in 1996, the UN General Assembly prescribed all The Member States celebrate 16, November as International Day for Tolerance. The chosen date of 16, November also celebrates the adoption anniversary of the above Declaration.
For the promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence, UNESCO created “The UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize” in the amount of US $100000 in 1995. The prize is awarded every two years to individuals or organizations at International Tolerance Day. The 2018 winners of this prize were Manon Barbeau (a Canadian filmmaker) and “The Coexist Initiative” (a non-profit organization of Kenya).
Activities of International Tolerance Day
International Tolerance Day produces awareness about the harmful effects of intolerance and discrimination in society. Tolerance Day celebrations and activities involve the acts of abolishing hate and enmities in societies. At an individual level, these acts can be treated by training sessions at multiple levels and by the usage of electronic, print and social media.
- Debates and speeches for the evaluation of tolerance and abolition of oppression and injustice are a part of tolerance day.
- The theme of tolerance day is discussed thoroughly in educational institutes, social forums, media and civil societies, for the execution of the message of tolerance.
- Human rights organizations and activists catch this day as a golden opportunity for the fulfilment of laws regarding basic human rights such as injustice, minorities, discrimination and hate crimes.
- Respect and recognition of the beliefs and rights of others are signs of tolerance. Counselling of students about the basic rights of other people can play far-flung effects in society.
Tolerance Day Celebrations may also include the following ideas,
- On this special day, you can more learn about the people around you and can pay attention to listening and solving their problems.
- Create a friendly environment in educational institutes, offices, playgrounds, and public places.
- Have a party with the communities around you.
International Tolerance Day Speech
International Tolerance Day is a precious time for people to minimize hate and discrimination in societies. Injustice, discrimination, and violence are common forms of intolerance.
Tolerance day exposes the harmful effects of intolerance and discrimination in society. Tolerance is respect for other people’s rights and freedom. To be tolerant is not only the moral duty of a civilized human and society but also a requirement for a peaceful and friendly environment. The element of tolerance from the basic to international level is a symptom of peace and prosperity for humans and states.
States should legislate for equality and basic human rights for the promotion of tolerance and non-violence. Education is an important tool to pave the path to these desired results.
A cool and calm society is the aim of this day. We should also play our role through print and social media for the respect and adoption of tolerance and the basic human rights of other people.
Tolerance is an amazing tool that can help people of diverse religions and cultures to live together harmoniously and peacefully.
Tolerance in its very sense is a liability that provokes social acceptance not only in terms of rituals and traditions but also in the spiritual hierarchy of every religion. Ultimately what happens has long-lasting and ever-continuing consequences as when it comes to extremism and more candidly religious extremism, one thing that lacks is only tolerance.
Tolerance has brought an individual out of the nut-shell of cynicism and thus the centuries struggling humanism on utilitarian grounds, where every single person is responsible for other’s welfare and a human bond of trust and reliance if implemented properly, throws away the thoughts of rivalry and exploitation.
International Tolerance Day Dates
| Event | Year | Date |
|---|---|---|
| International Tolerance Day | 2020 | Monday, 16 November 2020 |
| International Tolerance Day | 2021 | Thursday, 16 November 2021 |
| International Tolerance Day | 2022 | Wednesday, 16 November 2022 |
| International Tolerance Day | 2023 | Thursday, 16 November 2023 |
