postmoderncritic
Morgan Bell
Jeff MusallUnited Nations definition of TOLERANCE
June 24th 2008 11:16
The Declaration of Principles on Tolerance was proclaimed and signed by the Member States of UNESCO on 16 November 1995. The declaration was signed by the Member States of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) at the twenty-eighth session of the General Conference in Paris.
When talking about TOLERANCE in regards to social diversity, discrimination, and human rights this is the most widely accepted definition.
Tolerance is recognising the human rights of everyone equally. Tolerance is finding harmony in our differences and giving everyone the right to live in peace according to their own individual convictions as long as they adhere to human rights.
Tolerance promotes a culture of peace by proclaiming it is everyones moral duty to accept those who are different to you by not imposing your views on to them.
Tolerance is saying "i have my views and you have yours, as long as we both repect our differences and respect everybody's human rights then we can coexist peacefully"
Article 1 - Meaning of tolerance
1.1 Tolerance is 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.
1.2 Tolerance is not concession, condescension or indulgence. Tolerance is, above all, an active attitude prompted by recognition of the universal human rights and fundamental freedoms of others. In no circumstance can it be used to justify infringements of these fundamental values. Tolerance is to be exercised by individuals, groups and States.
1.3 Tolerance is the responsibility that upholds human rights, pluralism (including cultural pluralism), democracy and the rule of law. It involves the rejection of dogmatism and absolutism and affirms the standards set out in international human rights instruments.
1.4 Consistent with respect for human rights, the practice of tolerance does not mean toleration of social injustice or the abandonment or weakening of one's convictions. It means that one is free to adhere to one's own convictions and accepts that others adhere to theirs. It means accepting the fact that human beings, naturally diverse in their appearance, situation, speech, behaviour and values, have the right to live in peace and to be as they are. It also means that one's views are not to be imposed on others.
1.1 Tolerance is 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.
1.2 Tolerance is not concession, condescension or indulgence. Tolerance is, above all, an active attitude prompted by recognition of the universal human rights and fundamental freedoms of others. In no circumstance can it be used to justify infringements of these fundamental values. Tolerance is to be exercised by individuals, groups and States.
1.3 Tolerance is the responsibility that upholds human rights, pluralism (including cultural pluralism), democracy and the rule of law. It involves the rejection of dogmatism and absolutism and affirms the standards set out in international human rights instruments.
1.4 Consistent with respect for human rights, the practice of tolerance does not mean toleration of social injustice or the abandonment or weakening of one's convictions. It means that one is free to adhere to one's own convictions and accepts that others adhere to theirs. It means accepting the fact that human beings, naturally diverse in their appearance, situation, speech, behaviour and values, have the right to live in peace and to be as they are. It also means that one's views are not to be imposed on others.
When talking about TOLERANCE in regards to social diversity, discrimination, and human rights this is the most widely accepted definition.
Tolerance is recognising the human rights of everyone equally. Tolerance is finding harmony in our differences and giving everyone the right to live in peace according to their own individual convictions as long as they adhere to human rights.
Tolerance promotes a culture of peace by proclaiming it is everyones moral duty to accept those who are different to you by not imposing your views on to them.
Tolerance is saying "i have my views and you have yours, as long as we both repect our differences and respect everybody's human rights then we can coexist peacefully"
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Comment by ChrisC
The Dissector
So what's your point?!!
Comment by RubySoho
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That sums it all up for me.
Comment by Morgan Bell
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its a definition, the point is if you are interested in what people mean when they say they want to promote "tolerance" there is a definition available
hi Ruby,
apparently it isnt as impossible to define as some would have you believe . . . for my next trick i may even outline what "human rights" are
Comment by RubySoho
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Comment by Morgan Bell
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no i think thats you that quotes things out of context, i just do semantics haha
but if anyone wants more context here is the full declaration: Really Long Link
oh and Ruby you may have seen these before but i found some interesting articles on human rights with regards to reproduction
Really Long Link
Really Long Link
and the counter-argument
Really Long Link
Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
By the way, he's done it again.
Comment by Jeff Musall
Secular Humanity
Comment by Louie
Climate Forum
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thanks for the heads up, does tolerance also include having a sense of humour??????
Comment by Cibbuano
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Comment by KylieW
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Comment by Morgan Bell
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yes i thought it was a little bit grasping at straws too, i didnt see many compelling arguments . . . but its always good to read about the flipside
hi Jeff,
i couldnt have said it better myself!
i know some people are genuinely confused about what "tolerance" really involves so i think there is always some value in circulating information like this
hi Louie,
yes wouldnt it be wonderful if everybody did read this!
its nearly 13 years since that declaration and the first time i read it was this week, and i think it is fantastic in its detail and precision . . . people have obviously been thinking about these things for a long time and had the good sense to articulate a global outlook
Comment by Morgan Bell
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yes i thought that was really interesting that they specifically noted "condescension" is not tolerance, nor is "indulgence", or "concession" . . . i think they are saying that tolerance shouldnt be merely superficial and the tolerated party shouldnt be made to feel they are being given a special priveledge, it is a basic human right
hi KylieW,
yeah Louie makes a great point about a sense of humour . . . everyone has different senses of humour and that we should all be able to respect each others differences, as long as your idea or a practical joke isnt genocide or torture or witholding food or medical supplies haha (theres my my odd sense of humour coming out now)
Comment by Mountain Fog
Infognito
************
ok, back on topic...
the UNESCO definition of tolerance...
FINE WORDS.. MIGHTY FINE WORDS INDEEDY.. however, they are but words, the impotent form of action, and these same words fall as silently upon a page as they fall upon deaf ears in the Security Council, where they once again reach stalemate on action, so once again, after just one State vetoes a vote, the suffering continue to suffer, and the arseholes committing the atrocities continue to oppress, and continue to get aid, which they continue to steal...
sorry, I am in a bitterly cynical mood, but when one looks at that arsehole Mugabe, and how Mbeki et al are allowing him to continue his atrocities, and the UN ONCE AGAIN stands like a eunuch outside an odalisque's seraglio, I just don't feel like reading any more FINE words...
fog
Comment by Morgan Bell
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rant away my friend, Zimbabwe is a very frustrating situation
now Mugabe, theres someone who might benefit from understanding what tolerance and human rights are . . . democracy and the right to live your life in peace . . . such foreign concepts to some
Comment by ChrisC
The Dissector
And hello Jeff! I'm assuming your "points" were in response to my 'response.'
My point was Morgan's blog, while an interesting heads up about TOLERANCE, didn't seem to be based on anything in particular. Normally making direct quotes, and then paraphrasing these quotes are done for a particular reason, you know, with a particular topic in mind. I just couldn't find one! (If it was based on a previous blog, my apologies - I've been away for a while.)
Unfortunately Jeff, there is more to the world than signing off on or 'understanding' a point of view. Unfortunately Jeff, this is not information but a philosophy, and i'm sure there are plenty of people in Afghanistan and Alabama who are probably hurt by your stereotypical and 'throwing everyone in the one basket' comments.
And "everyone could learn?" Are you saying that no-one at all, surely except for Morgan, and your good self, are behind the times? Is the whole world just waiting to embrace yours and Morgan's teachings? Or are you saying that you are intolerant, and you include yourself in the category of "we could all learn."
Or are you drunk like me right now and are arguing, possibly for the hell of it without thinking about it?
Is this too much Morgan? My apologies...
Comment by Morgan Bell
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this is an anti-discrimination blog which aims to share information about where and why discrimination may occur - the posts are intended as a reference or tool
some feedback on the previous post revealed that it is not widely understood what the term "tolerance" means in relation to discrimination so the point of this post really was pretty much solely to provide a definition for future reference
i learnt something myself when researching - it is a term that has an internationally recognised meaning, and it is a well defined and tangible term, it is not just a buzz word of left-wing or PC circles, it has been assigned a particular and comprehensive meaning which governments all over the world have agreed to
i was glad to have read it and it is reading i would recommend to anyone, whether it be George Bush, Kevin Rudd, The Pope, Mugabe, my boss, my pharmacist, or my fellow bloggers - i think we all have much to learn, myself included
thanks for the comments, i dont mind clarifying what i mean, if you have any other question then shoot away
ps: have a drink for me, ive been too sober for too long haha
Comment by Smooth Political
Comment by Jeff Musall
Secular Humanity
And of course when I say everyone could learn I include myself - I'm "everyone" too, ya know. I can be very intolerant of fundamentalist windbags, thoecratic yahoos, and conservative mouthpieces. But I do give myself an out - I don't think those whose entire phiilosophy is based on intolerance deserve tolerance for those views.