New initiatives to promote tolerance
WE ARE WORKING TOWARDS CONSOLIDATING THE UAE’S POSITION AS A CAPITAL OF TOLERANCE AND POSITIVE COEXISTENCE, MOHAMMAD SAYS
The UAE’s Ministry of Tolerance will launch two new initiatives to promote the country’s efforts in spreading the spirit of tolerance at the national and international levels.
Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance, announced the initiatives at the opening of the first World Tolerance Summit (WTS) being held in Dubai. The two initiatives are the establishment of the National Research Project on Tolerance and the Global Tolerance Alliance.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who attended the inauguration (right) said: “We are working towards consolidating the UAE’s position as a capital of tolerance and positive coexistence, and emphasising its contribution in achieving real closeness between different cultures, so that the UAE can continue to make influential contributions in activating global dialogue.”
The Ministry of Tolerance will undertake two new initiatives that will extend the UAE’s efforts of spreading tolerance from a local to a global level, announced Shaikh Nahayan Al Mabarak Al Nahayan, UAE Minister of Tolerance, during the opening of the first World Tolerance Summit yesterday.
The initiatives are the establishment of the National Research Project on Tolerance and the Global Tolerance Alliance.
Being held at the Armani Hotel on November 15-16, the opening day of the summit was attended by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
Shaikh Mohammad stressed that the UAE is keen on preparing an environment that supports serious dialogue so that it can contribute to spreading fundamentals for peace around the world. He said that this will also strengthen the spirit of affection and tolerance between people around the world, extending more bridges of communication that pave the way for the happiness and stability of peoples, accepting others and understanding differences.
‘Capital of tolerance’
“We are working towards consolidating the UAE’s position as a capital of tolerance and positive coexistence, and emphasising its contribution in achieving real closeness between different cultures, so that the UAE can continue to make influential contributions in activating global dialogue that helps decide on the foundations for understanding between people in different parts of the world,” he said.
“We learnt from the School of Zayed many noble values of tolerance. The UAE will continue to be a model and an example in openness. Everyone in the UAE lives and works without differentiating between a citizen and resident. Everyone is working as a team to forge the future. Tolerance is not merely a slogan, it is a part of our daily life,” he added.
“Tolerance is a power that drives society forward. We raise our children on values of tolerance and instill in them values of cooperation and respecting diversity and differences, so that they can be self-confident. A strong person is one who accepts the differences of others and is able to coexist with them. Tolerance brings people happiness and peace of mind, and helps them live their life with optimism and hope,” Shaikh Mohammad said.
The two initiatives
Explaining the two initiatives, Shaikh Nahayan said, “[The National Research Project on Tolerance] will examine factors, conditions and work plans that will help in strengthening tolerance among individuals, families, local communities and the world. The project will produce proposals and plans on spreading the values of tolerance, coexistence, and happiness across human societies.”
Speaking on the Global Tolerance Alliance, he said, “The project will be launched from the UAE and will become a global coordinator for cooperation and joint effort among individuals, organisations, research centres, private enterprises and other interested organisations.”
In light of the new initiatives, he said that only successful pluralism supported by useful research and positive dialogue can guarantee a peaceful future in the world.
Shaikh Nahayan described the UAE as a country known for its temperament, moderation as well as its openness to the entire world, referring to the vision of its leaders to build a country based on mutual respect and coexistence.
“We are completely ready to share our positive experience of tolerance and to gain from others a wider understanding of the universal power of tolerance,” he said.
He called on guests at the summit to work together to eradicate misunderstanding about different religions and cultures.
“Tolerance thrives on education and knowledge, all forms of communication, and the creation of local and global partnerships,” he said.
The summit has drawn over 1,500 leaders and delegates from the fields of politics, religion, and culture, including ministers, parliamentarians, diplomats and spiritual leaders.
A part of Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, the summit features several forums to promote a global culture of tolerance. It is being organised by The International Institute of Tolerance, and held in conjunction with Unesco’s International Day for Tolerance — today.