International Tolerance Day 2021: What is it all about?
Every year on 16th November, the world observes International Day for Tolerance that was first declared by the United Nations (UN) in 1995. This day aims at making the global population aware of the dangers and negativity associated with intolerance. This is why the General Assembly of the United Nations initiated the idea to promote tolerance as an imperative part of society and urged the UN Member states (at least 51 out of 95) to join in this cause.
History behind International Tolerance Day
The United Nations had declared 1995 as the year of tolerance. Later, in that same year, on 16th November, UNESCO formulated The Declaration of Principles on Tolerance. Incidentally, the year 1995 was also the 125th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, which is why the UN decided to pay tribute to him by declaring International Day for Tolerance that year. Since then, the world has been observing this day on 16th November.
In the year 2000, the goodwill ambassador Madanjeet Singh of the UN, sponsored the International Day of Tolerance for that year. In order to honour him and other individuals who contributed significantly to spread tolerance and non-violence through their continued work in the fields of science, arts and culture, UNESCO undertook a noble initiative and introduced an award in his name called The UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Prize that is conferred upon such dedicated people every year on this auspicious day.
Significance of International Tolerance Day
The 1995 Declaration of UNESCO emphasizes on the fact that tolerance is nothing more than “acceptance, respect and appreciation” for people of all diversity. It stands to champion tolerance as the basic and universal human right. So, the International Tolerance Day encourages people to listen to others, practice open-mindedness and foster a spirit of mutual understanding among various social, political, religious and economic groups.
The day also focusses on the fact that the ultimate key to a peaceful coexistence is tolerance and non-violence alongside making people acknowledge and appreciate the beauty of diverse cultures, difference of opinions, and the value of different races with their respective beliefs and ideas. International Day for Tolerance is all about respecting other peoples’ choices and beliefs, their rights and freedom and educating people from the formative years about the harmful effects of intolerance.
Theme of International Tolerance Day 2021
The theme of this year’s International Tolerance Day, as decided by the United Nations is based on the fundamental idea that “Tolerance is respect, acceptance and appreciation of the rich diversity of our world’s cultures, our forms of expressions and ways of being human.” It is about recognizing that tolerance is no longer a mere moral obligation but the essential need of the day and the age we are living in.