Diversity is what makes humanity rich and amid this diversity tolerance binds people together so that they can live in peace and tranquility. People have different opinions, beliefs and affiliations which mean that we must learn to co-exist in the society. The person next does not become less human because they do not believe in what you believe in. We, the Friendly Society belief tolerance is key to world peace and development hence it is of great value to us. There have been a lot of charters, conventions and declarations signed by countries through the facilitation of the United Nations and most of these agreements and commitment acknowledge tolerance as an important component of people’s existence. If left unchecked intolerance can lead to all sorts of horrors. Humanity bled and continues to bleed from genocides, xenophobia, civil wars, violence and many other unpalatable endgames of intolerance.
Article 1.1 of the Declaration of Principles on Tolerance Proclaimed and signed by the Member States of UNESCO on 16 November 1995 defines tolerance as “respect, acceptance and appreciation of the rich diversity of our world’s cultures, our forms of expression and ways of being human. It is fostered by knowledge, openness, communication, and freedom of thought, conscience and belief. Tolerance is harmony in difference. It is not only a moral duty, it is also a political and legal requirement. Tolerance, the virtue that makes peace possible, contributes to the replacement of the culture of war by a culture of peace.”
