Tolerance should be a must in today's world

By Issa Kiraira

ON November 16, Inter Change– Uganda local chapter, in conjunction with Media for Peace and Religious tolerance, celebrated International Day of Tolerance. 

The purpose behind celebrating this day is promoting tolerance. Tolerance Day was started by UNESCO in 1996. This event is celebrated worldwide.

Communities in the world can do without some necessities and still survive but have to be tolerant.

Countries that uphold tolerance are synonymous with peace. This is because tolerance ushers in democratic institutions in society. 

According to the president of Interchange, Prof. Anne Goodman of Toronto University, the work of peace is not something that can be left to others; it is something each of us can be involved in.

The principles of co-existence and tolerance are important as bases for building mutually acceptable relationships between highly diverse communities within a larger society.

The element of dehumanisation or domination can only be given room in a society which is composed of individuals who are intolerant to each another.

Tolerance should be every person’s house word because without it, conflict finds permanent residence in our families and society as a whole. 

Our societies can become the centre of conflict given the fact that we are intolerant. 

In every setting, there are always divergent views so the mere fact that we disagree in principle should not be the basis under which we should not promote tolerance.

Revenge as is always resorted to, in most cases, when conflict arises creates unjustified violence and this situation is not virtuous for our wellbeing.

Fethullah Gulen in his book, Toward A Global Civilisation of Love and Tolerance says humankind should co-exist with one another by exercising a greater degree of tolerance.

Tolerance, if well utilised, can make this world a paradise because conflict and violence cannot degenerate into anarchy and chaos.

Let us take seriously the message of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on International Day for Tolerance when he says building tolerance and understanding is fundamental for the 21st century.

As we advance these values, let us draw strength and guidance from the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity.

The writer is a peace and tolerance advocate