DUBAI 17 November 2019: The two-day World Tolerance Summit 2019 highlighted it is important to promote tolerance; combat racism and hate speech, and to reject all forms of discrimination and religious extremism.
The participants unanimously agreed that the UAE is a global model of tolerance, as demonstrated by the coexistence of more than 200 nationalities in harmony and peace without fear, conflict or discrimination.
Participants at the summit, which was attended by 3,265 people, urged to work together for a more tolerant world and promote it further. Tolerance does not mean tolerance or indifference, but respect and appreciation of the world’s cultural diversity, forms of expression and ways of dealing with human beings.
The participants, comprising officials, religious leaders, intellectuals, academicians, opinion makers and influencers around the world, stressed that tolerance and mutual respect are the ideal tools to bring positive change and lay foundations for lasting peace. The communities across the world are also realising tolerance is essential for peaceful coexistence.
They also discussed the importance of emphasising disciplined openness at schools, universities, homes and work places to build alliances in order to spread tolerance and love, to achieve noble human values, to confront all projects of fragmentation, fighting and conflicts.
Through its dialogue sessions, workshops and other events, the summit discussed the role of leaders, education, community organisations and youth in spreading a culture of tolerance and peace throughout the world, and create mechanisms to work together for a more tolerant world.
Education should be given the utmost importance as it is the most effective way to prevent intolerance, according to the participants who called for teaching methods that promote tolerance without prejudice to cultural, social and religious beliefs. They pledged to support and implement research and education programmes; encourage initiatives aimed at reducing negative perceptions and attitudes towards refugees and migrants that preserve their dignity; and expand the field of cooperation for the good of humanity.
They urged decision makers to implement recommendations resulting from the events and conferences related to tolerance to achieve the positive change required in the world, and declared their commitment to combating hatred, prejudice and intolerance which are a major challenge to peaceful coexistence and harmony.
The World Tolerance Summit 2019 themed ‘Tolerance in Multiculturalism: Achieving the Social, Economic and Humane Benefits of a Tolerant World’, was organised by International Institute for Tolerance (IIT), under Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives.
