November 16, 11

NEWS / Active tolerance vital during times of extraordinary change, UN officials say

16 November 2011 –
Top United Nations officials stressed today the importance of practising active tolerance at a time when the world is undergoing unprecedented economic and political changes, and called for countries to embrace diversity, combat discrimination and increase education efforts about human rights.

“Our practice of tolerance must mean more than peaceful coexistence, crucial as that is. It must be an active understanding fostered through dialogue and positive engagement with others,” said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in his message to mark the International Day of Tolerance.

“Practising tolerance can serve as the antidote to prejudice and hatred,” he said, emphasizing that engaging with others is crucial to combat discrimination. “We all have a responsibility to protect those vulnerable to discrimination, whether based on race, religion, nationality, language, gender, sexual orientation or other factors.”

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=40408&Cr=Tolerance&Cr1=