International Day of Tolerance

“A terrible level has been reached this year in the escalation of violence. The attacks which occurred on September 11, 2001 are, beyond the targeted country, an offense to human dignity, to what constitutes the raison d'être of UNESCO and the United Nations system. This indiscriminate, criminal violence struck right in the middle of the United Nations Year of Dialogue Among Civilizations, which itself followed the International Year for the Culture of Peace. Should we conclude that UNESCO's efforts to promote an ideal of tolerance and non-violence, mutual understanding and solidarity are in vain and that our mission is unrealistic? Certainly not. This is all the more reason to strengthen our efforts to eliminate the root causes that give rise to violence. Among them are poverty and exclusion, ignorance and discrimination. It is therefore an overall preventive strategy, in all its social, economic and cultural dimensions, that we must work more than ever in close consultation. This unfailing solidarity in reflection and action is essential to counter the injustices and dangers of a certain form of globalization and thus cut intolerance and fanaticism at the root. We need to rethink globalization, give it a human face, more equitable and which advocates values ​​other than mercantile ones. The General Conference of UNESCO, at its 31st session, has just unanimously adopted the first Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity. Recognition by all of our creative diversity is a decisive step which seals adherence to common values ​​and ethical principles. This active attitude has a name: tolerance. Motivated as much by respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms as by openness to others – recognized both in their difference and their similarity – tolerance is the very basis of dialogue and pluralism. Today more than ever, its implementation, particularly through education, is required. The Year of Dialogue among Civilizations that we are celebrating in 2002 demands this, but also the application of the action program of the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Intolerance which took place this year in Durban (South Africa) and which marked a major milestone in the fight against racism and intolerance. In 1995, the Declaration of Principles on Tolerance was adopted by UNESCO to address the widespread rise in violence, exclusion and discrimination against national, ethnic, religious and linguistic groups. On the occasion of the International Day for Tolerance, I appeal to the global community, governments, parliamentarians, parents, teachers, the media, non-governmental organizations and civil society institutions so that, in accordance with the principles set out in the declaration, they implement, day after day, an ethic of dialogue, openness and mutual respect. - Message from the Director General of UNESCO, Koichiro Matsuura, on the occasion of the celebration of the International Day for Tolerance. November 16, 2001.