Dubai: The Ministry of Tolerance will be undertaking 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 (WTS) on Thursday.
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 Nahayan announced the launch of the National Research Project on Tolerance, which will promote creativity, innovation of researchers, inside the UAE and around the world.
“It will examine factors, conditions and work plans that will help in strengthening tolerance among individuals, families, local communities and the world,” he said.
The project will produce proposals and plans on spreading the values of tolerance, coexistence, and happiness across human societies.
The second initiative is the establishment of the Global Tolerance Alliance for promoting tolerance throughout the world.
“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,” said Shaikh Nahayan.
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.
“The UAE is now a global beacon for civilised behaviour and a place for interaction and cooperation among world cultures, as well as a wonderful model in the service of humanity,” he added.
He 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,” said Shaikh Nahayan.
He called on guests at the summit to work together to eradicate misunderstanding about different religions and cultures, pointing out that tolerance requires hard work by all.
“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.
The summit, which is a part of Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, features several forums to promote a global culture of tolerance, discussing the role of governments, schools, artists and social media influencers, with a strong focus on youth and women.
The WTS is being organised by The International Institute of Tolerance, and held in conjunction with UNESCO’s International Day for Tolerance today.
Global Tolerance Alliance: Aims
It will examine factors, conditions and work plans that will help in strengthening tolerance among individuals, families, local communities and the world
It will produce proposals and plans on spreading the values of tolerance, coexistence, and happiness across human societies.
