International Day for Tolerance is to be observed across the globe including Pakistan on Nov 16 (today), with an aim to educate people about the need for tolerance in society.
It is a day dedicated to respecting the cultures, beliefs and traditions of others and understanding the risks to civilised society posed by intolerance.
Live discussions and debates take place across the world on this day, focusing on how various forms of injustice, oppression, racism and discrimination have a negative impact on society.
Many educators use the theme of this day to help students in classrooms or in lecture theatres understand the issues of tolerance, human rights and non-violence.
Human rights activists also use this day as an opportunity to speak out on human rights laws, especially with regard to banning and punishing hate crimes and discrimination against minorities. Special training programs, talks, or messages from workplace leaders about the importance of tolerance may be utilized on this day in the workplace.
On 16 November 1995, the member states of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) adopted the Declaration of Principles on Tolerance.
The Declaration, among other things, calls for the celebration of an international day on the subject of tolerance for the education of the global populace on the subject and its related issues.
