UN International Day for Tolerance
Baraza has earmarked 16th November as an annual day when it joins partners to promote a global initiative. November 16th is the date designated by the UN as the International Day for Tolerance.
The United Nations is committed to strengthening tolerance by fostering mutual understanding among cultures and peoples. This imperative lies at the core of the United Nations Charter, as well as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and is more important than ever in this era of rising and violent extremism and widening conflicts that are characterized by a fundamental disregard for human life.
In 1996, the UN General Assembly (by resolution 51/95) invited UN Member States to observe the International Day for Tolerance on 16 November. This action followed up on the United Nations Year for Tolerance, 1995, proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993 at the initiative of UNESCO, as outlined in the Declaration of Principles on Tolerance and Follow-up Plan of Action for the Year.
In November 2022, Baraza together with the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs (MARA) in the Sultanate of Oman organised an expert conference and workshops to explore ideas for future work. This included attending an event for the International Day for Tolerance. Details of this event are available elsewhere on this website.
On 16th November 2019, Baraza members participated in the organization of cultural events, a commemoration ceremony, and the plenum of the Advisory Group Meeting of the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers held in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The tolerance day ceremony saw the launch of a new initiative by the Sultanate of Oman – “Towards United Human Values” – to globally advance common human values shared by all individuals regardless of religion, language, race and culture.
On 16th November 2016, Baraza and MARA organised a conference in Muscat, Oman to celebrate international efforts for peace. In 2014, we held a similar conference with other stakeholders in Oman.
Video: The International Day for Tolerance: 16 Nov 2014