The ‘International Day of Tolerance’ is annually observed by the United Nations (UN) on the 16th of November. The day marks the signing of the ‘Declaration of Principles of Tolerance‘ by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), on 16th November 1995.
- 1995 also marked the 125th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth paving the way for the proclamation of November 16, as the International Day for Tolerance by the UN.
- Marking Mahatma Gandhi’s 125th Birth anniversary, the UN also observed 1995 as the ‘International Year of Tolerance’.
Objective:
To create public awareness on the dangers of intolerance and to instil in educational institutions and the general public the belief that tolerance is an important aspect of society.
Key points:
i.November 16, the International Day for Tolerance marked to pay tribute to the values of Mahatma Gandhi including peace, non violence and equality.
ii.The UNESCO- Madanjeet Singh Prize for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-violence was also introduced in 1995, which was named after Madanjeet Singh, who sponsored the Award.
- The prize is awarded every two years on the International Day for Tolerance, 16 November.
- Previously, the UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize was awarded in 2020 to the Centre Résolution Conflits, a Non-Government Organisation based in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
About UNESCO:
Headquarters- Paris, France
Director General- Audrey Azoulay