‘Diversity is a form of wealth, not a factor of division,’ UNESCO chief says on the International Day for Tolerance

‘Diversity is a form of wealth, not a factor of division,’ UNESCO chief says on the International Day for Tolerance

At a time when extremism and fanaticism are too often unleashed, when “the venom of hatred” continues to poison a part of humanity, “tolerance has never been more vital a virtue”, the United Nations cultural agency’s chief has said in her message on the International Day for Tolerance.

Ms. Azoulay stressed that tolerance is “to realize that cultural diversity is a form of wealth, not a factor of division”.

“It is to perceive that each culture, beyond immediate or apparent differences, is a constituent part of universality and speaks the common language of humanity.”

Since its foundation, UNESCO has aimed to “build peace by combating the intolerance that still too often tears our societies apart, and by relentlessly fighting all forms of racism and discrimination”, the agency chief maintained.

Ms. Azoulay cited the words of former Director-General Federico Mayor:

“UNESCO bears and echoes the message of tolerance, true to its mission of being ‘the conscience of the United Nations’”.

Original source: UN News
Published on 15 November 2019