In news

In 1994, UNESCO marked the 125th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi's birth paving the way for the proclamation of 16 November as the International Day for Tolerance by the UN. 

Aim

To celebrate this day to build tolerance among the cultures and people. The main aim behind starting this day was to make educational institutions and people at large believe that tolerance is an integral part of society.

Principles on Tolerance

According to UNESCO's 1995 Declaration of  "Tolerance is respect, acceptance, and appreciation of the rich diversity of our world's cultures, our forms of expression and ways of being human".

History

In 1996, the UN General Assembly (by resolution 51/95) invited the UN Member States to observe the International Day for Tolerance on 16 November.

This action followed up on the United Nations Year for Tolerance, 1995, proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993 at the initiative of UNESCO, as outlined in the Declaration of Principles on Tolerance and Follow-up Plan of Action for the Year.

In 1995, to mark the United Nations Year for Tolerance and the 125th anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi, UNESCO created a prize for the promotion of tolerance and non-violence.

The prize is awarded every two years on the International Day for Tolerance, 16 November. The Prize may be awarded to institutions, organizations or persons, who have contributed in a particularly meritorious and effective manner to tolerance and non-violence.

Source: PIB