Dubai to host UAE's first tolerance summit

Tolerance summit press conference.-Supplied photo

Over 2,000 ministers and government leaders around the world will gather in Dubai to discuss the role of governments in spreading tolerance and the efforts needed in fighting against fanaticism and discrimination.
The UAE's first World Tolerance Summit (WTS), will be held on November 15-16, in line with International Day of Tolerance, under the theme 'Prospering from Pluralism: Embracing Diversity through Innovation and Collaboration'.
The two-day summit, which will be opened by Sheikh Nahyan Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Tolerance, will issue recommendations and outcomes of global talks to help promote peaceful coexistence around the world. It will also focus on the crucial role of women and the youth in spreading tolerance in their societies through different fields of arts, education and sports.
Speaking to the Press on Sunday, Dr. Hamad Al Shaikh Al Shaibnai, managing director of International Institute of Tolerance, said as the youth are the future, it is important to highlight their role in how they can shape the world's vision.
Students from over 15 universities in the UAE and abroad are expected to take part in the summit that aims to establish a culture of openness and civilised dialogue and contribute to the rejection of extremism.
Dawood Mohammed Al Shezawi, chairman of organising committee of the WTS, said: "We live in challenging times in terms of safety and security. Our upcoming generations need enough social and economic care, which is why our main target here is the youth.
"We will address the qualifications of teachers to guide youngsters towards acceptance of differences, prevention of violence and the role of the curriculum in cultivating a culture of tolerance and peace among students."
During the summit, several memorandum of understanding (MoUs) will be signed with several local and international bodies to strengthen frameworks for joint cooperation, Al Shezawi added.
Since the UAE established the world's first ministry of tolerance and the Arab World's first institute for tolerance, representatives said exchanging knowledge and opening a dialogue about countering extremism will be the key to spread the message of peace.
The summit will see a wide array of prominent personalities including Ohoud Al Roumi, UAE Minister of State for Happiness and Well-being; Dr. Amal Al Qubaisi, President of Federal National Council of UAE; Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council for Arab States of the Gulf and Saudi Arabia; and Amr Moussa, former secretary-general of Arab League.
Agendas of the two-day summit
1-The first day of the UAE World Tolerance Summit will include six panel discussions on the responsibility of leaders and educational institutes in ingraining qualities of tolerance in today's youth. The panels will also discuss ways that allow international and local associations to promote harmony.
2-The second day will have six workshops themed around women empowerment, learning the science behind tolerance and building a tolerance and happy society. The workshops will be held under Zayed Majlis of Tolerance, to endorse values of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE founder.
3-A library for tolerance will contain a collection of important references, books and researches that address tolerance in its holistic sense.
NANO EDIT
Propagating pluralism
With the UAE believing that tolerance is a quality to cherish and practice in order to safeguard its future, it is inevitable that the country will propagate pluralism to attain sustainable prosperity. Summits on tolerance, when coupled with the energy and optimism of youth, will go a long way in creating an enlightened society, even as the world gets complex with unprecedented human interchanges.
sherouk@khaleejtimes.com