The United Nations (UN) International Day of Human Fraternity is annually observed across the globe on 4 February to promote peace, tolerance, inclusion, understanding, and solidarity between all people of diverse faiths.
- The day emphasises the imperative need for dialogue among different faiths and religions to enhance mutual understanding, harmony, and cooperation among people.
International Day of Human Fraternity falls in the middle of World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW), an annual event observed during the 1st week of February, since 2010.
- 4 February 2024 marks the observance of the 4th International Day of Human Fraternity.
Background:
i.On 21 December 2020, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/75/200 and proclaimed the 4 February of every as the International Day of Human Fraternity.
- The resolution was co-facilitated by Egypt and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and it acknowledges initiatives fostering interreligious and intercultural dialogue.
ii.The 1st ever International Day of Human Fraternity was observed on 4 February 2021.
Why February 4?
The date commemorates the signing of the “Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together” by His Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed Al-Tayeb in Abu Dhabi, UAE on February 4, 2019.
- 4 February 2024 marks the 5th anniversary of the signing of the Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together.
Culture of Peace:
In 1999, the UNGA adopted, the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace (by resolution A/RES/53/243), which serves as the universal mandate for the international community.
- It particularly focuses on the UN system, to promote a culture of peace and non-violence that benefits all of humanity, including future generations.
World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW):
i.WIHW, conceived to promote a culture of peace and nonviolence, was first proposed by King Abdullah II of Jordan at the UN in 2010.
ii.On 20 October 2010, the UNGA adopted the resolution A/RES/65/5 and declared the 1st week of February (1-7) every year as World Interfaith Harmony Week.
UNESCO’s AI Ethics Recommendation:
i.In 2021, UNESCO introduced the ‘Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence (AI),’ adopted by 193 countries. It emphasizes human rights, transparency, and fairness in AI.
ii.This is part of UNESCO’s efforts to promote technology and innovation in the service of humanity.
iii.The 2nd Global Forum on the Ethics of AI: Changing the Landscape of AI Governance, will take place in the Brdo Congress Centre of Kranj on 5 and 6 February 2024.
Note:
- The 1st Global Forum on the Ethics of AI, with the theme, “Ensuring inclusion in the AI world”, was hosted by the Czech Republic on 13th December 2022 in Prague.
- It was hosted under the Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) and the patronage of UNESCO.
2024 Events:
On 5 February 2024, on the occasion of the International Day of Human Fraternity 2024, the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) in partnership with the Permanent Missions of Egypt and UAE to the UN, organised a virtual event to highlight the principles and values included in the Document of Human Fraternity.
About United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC):
UNAOC was established in 2005, as the political initiative of Kofi Annan, former UN Secretary-General, and co-sponsored by the Governments of Spain and Türkiye.
High Representative– H.E. Mr. Miguel Ángel Moratinos
Headquarters– New York, United States of America (USA)
