Dear Amazonas Community and new readers,
My name is Amy and I am back with another monthly article. The topic I got to write about this time was of great interest and importance to me, because it represents many of my personal beliefs and values.
I hope that the following lines won´t only educate you a little more, but also give you something to think about and reflect on:
The “International day of tolerance” serves as an annual reminder to promote respect, understanding and acceptance among people of all backgrounds.
But to truly understand its significance, lets take a step back in history and explore the motivation, creation, and purpose behind this day.
In response to the many conflicts and acts of discrimination happening around the world, the United Nations wanted to encourage an official declaration of peace and mutual respect.
This led to 185 member states of UNESCO signing the Declaration of Principles on Tolerance on November 16, 1995, honoring the importance of tolerance between different cultures, religions, and heritages.
Since then, every year on November 16, we celebrate the International Day for Tolerance.
This includes holding discussions and workshops about diversity and respect, organizing cultural events that celebrate different traditions, sharing stories and experiences and promoting anti-bullying and inclusion activities.
Today, more than ever, it is important to honor and celebrate what UNESCO set out to protect 30 years ago:
And yet, as I reflect on the world we live in today, I can’t help but feel conflicted… it is not easy to write about tolerance when it often feels like so little of it remains. Wars, cyberbullying, harassment, racism, and sexism have become part of everyday life for far too many people.
But this shared reality doesn’t have to be something we fear or face alone.
We have the power to shape the kind of society we want to live in—together. A society where everyone can live freely and with dignity.
Every day can bring us one step closer to that vision – Because tolerance isn’t something to remember just once a year, on November 16th.
It should be a natural, everyday practice, on how to treat other people. No matter their heritage, skin colour, gender or religion.
True tolerance begins with awareness, but it grows through action: speaking up when we witness injustice, creating spaces where every voice is heard, and speaking up about our personal challenges to build bridges instead of walls.
Let’s make November 16 not just a day of reflection, but a starting point for ongoing commitment.
Together, we can turn tolerance from a declaration into a daily reality — one interaction, one conversation, and one act of compassion at a time.
Amy Watson
