N’Djamena–Young Diplomats held an event in Chad celebrating the International Day for Tolerance to raise awareness of the value of tolerance on Saturday; November 16th. A delegation of students from Assafwa «Elite» Junior high school and many distinguished friends of Young Diplomats from educational, cultural and artistic sectors in Chad attended this special event.
The International Day of Tolerance was designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 1996. It has since been celebrated annually on November 16 by those who strive to unite the world through mutual understanding and respect.
The day traces back to UNESCO’s Declaration of Principles on Tolerance to increase toleration in the world and the celebration of the United Nations Year for Tolerance in 1995. After the year of tolerance, the UN General Assembly universally agreed to celebrate November 16th as the worldwide day to raise public awareness over the dangers of intolerance.
The event showcased a variety of cultural activities celebrating the International Day for Tolerance. It began with a short speech by Young Diplomats’ Africa regional director; Mr. Idriss Zackaria. It also included several activities, such as introducing students to the word “tolerance, acceptance of difference and peaceful coexistence” in a variety of languages.
Zackaria argued that Intolerance is a serious threat to societal cohesiveness, peace and democracy, as well as an obstacle to sustainable development.
Chadian students presented artistic performances, such as opera, as a gift to Young Diplomats team. Those performances aimed to introduce Chadian culture to other countries and cultures.
”Tolerance refers to the recognition and acceptance of looks, opinions, beliefs and practices that differ from one’s own. Hence, the International Day of Tolerance seeks to promote tolerance, respect, appreciation and cooperation amongst the world’s different cultures.” Zackaria said
Djouma Abdelrahim, one of the school teachers said that education is the best way to promote tolerance. This is because ignorance, racism and hate are most often learnt already at an early age of our lives. Noting that ”our work for promoting tolerance would not be possible without your support, thank you Young Diplomats!” Abdelrahim stressed.
Young Diplomats is committed to celebrate all the international days that recognized by the United Nations to mark important aspects of human life and history. We are also committed to strengthening tolerance by fostering mutual understanding among cultures and peoples, and it 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.
