"Tolerance" — we have little familiarity with this word. The word that seems to be most in vogue is "intolerance". Intolerance towards immigrants, intolerance towards opposing political factions, intolerance towards homosexuals, intolerance towards animals.

The history of the day

16 November marks World Tolerance Day, established by the UN in 1996 to recall the principles that inspired the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the United Nations on 10 December 1948. The aim of the day is to spread a value that lies at the foundation of universal human rights and fundamental freedoms.

The political value of tolerance

The UN calls first and foremost on governments and heads of state, but also on organisations and ordinary citizens, to promote human wellbeing, freedom and progress throughout the world, as well as to promote tolerance, respect, dialogue and cooperation among different cultures, civilisations and peoples. Tolerance is not merely a moral duty; it represents a political and legal element that member states are called upon to promote through legislation that guarantees equal opportunities for all members of society.

The message from Ban Ki-moon

"On the occasion of World Tolerance Day, I call on all people and governments to actively combat fear, hatred and extremism with dialogue, understanding and mutual respect. Let us strive to overcome divisions and unite for a shared future," UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon had declared.

Prize for tolerance and non-violence

In 1995, on the occasion of the United Nations Year for Tolerance and the one hundred and twenty-fifth anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi, Unesco established the Unesco-Madanjeet Singh prize for the promotion of tolerance and non-violence. The award recognises individuals, institutions, bodies or non-governmental organisations that have contributed, through significant activities in the artistic, cultural or scientific field, to the promotion of tolerance and non-violence. The prize is awarded every two years and, in 2016, was presented to the Centre of Tolerance in Russia, an original information centre that illustrates the history of the Jewish people in a clear yet entertaining and interactive way.

Sowing civilisation

Tolerance is like a plant: it must be sown in young minds, watered constantly so that its roots can take hold in society, and protected from parasites such as hatred and discrimination.