First-ever World Tolerance Summit to be held in Dubai
AROUND 1,000 LEADERS AND DELEGATES TO FORGE PARTNERSHIPS AGAINST EXTREMISM
Around 1,000 leaders and delegates from the fields of politics, religion, and culture, among others, will convene in Dubai in November for the first-ever World Tolerance Summit (WTS) to forge alliances against extremism and sectarianism, officials announced yesterday.
The summit, an initiative of Dubai-based International Institute of Tolerance (IIT), will be held on November 15 and 16, coinciding with the International Day of Tolerance (November 16).
Yesterday, officials of WTS and IIT said during a press conference that a number of countries in the Middle East and elsewhere are strife-torn, not least because of a prevalence of intolerance in sections of society. An official at the event said key figures have been invited from “all over the world” to attend the event.
The theme of the first WTS is ‘Prospering From Pluralism: Embracing Diversity through Innovation and Collaboration’.
Day one of the summit will be attended by Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and chairman of the board of trustees of IIT.
In a statement conveying a message from the UAE to the world, Shaikh Nahyan said: “Tolerance is not simply enduring the existence of opinions, ideas, behaviours or practices that do not concur with your own. It is about recognising, respecting and embracing diversity. It is about being secure in your own culture and beliefs, so that you respond to what is different with curiosity and compassion rather than with fear and intolerance.”
The first day of the summit will feature several forums to promote a global culture of tolerance, including the role of governments, schools, artists and social media influencers, with a strong focus on youth and women.
On the second day workshops will focus on the values of Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, UAE’s founding father.
Dr Hamad Al Shaikh Ahmad Al Shaibani, managing director of IIT and chairman of the higher committee of WTS, said: “The world has seen atrocities. Even in the eyes of the young could be seen the effects of intolerant behaviours. In the spirit of tolerance, we teach not only the world but ourselves, not to discriminate and disrespect. We teach ourselves to see other human beings with respect, so they would do the same to others.”
Khalifa Mohammad Al Suwaidi, general coordinator of WTS, said: “We trust that this government initiative under IIT and the Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives will completely break the barrier of cultural, political, and religious differences and in its place a bridge for better understanding, cooperation, and mutual respect.”