Photo has been used for illustrative purposes.

Imran Mojib, Special Correspondent

As part of the ongoing drive to promote global peace and stability across the world, Dubai-based International Institute for Tolerance launched two initiatives – the World Tolerance Network and Tolerance Decathlon. The move, launched in Dubai on Tuesday, is aimed at promoting tolerance and human dialogue as well as to establish the UAE as a global model of tolerance.

The World Tolerance Network is a global digital platform to bring together peace experts under one umbrella to promote the principles of tolerance, peace, harmony and coexistence among communities worldwide.

The Tolerance Decathlon is a competition that offers university and school students in the UAE a platform to showcase their ideas of tolerance in creative ways. It also offers an important platform to highlight creative artistic projects and initiatives implemented by various educational institutions represented by their students.

The competition aims to promote the values of peaceful coexistence, respect for diversity and pluralism in society, as well establishing the concept and spirit of tolerance, positive dialogue and acceptance of others among younger generations.

Announcing the digital launch of World Tolerance Network, Managing Director of the institute Dr Hamad Al Sheikh Ahmed Al Shaibani said that this digital platform has been launched  to bring people closer and expressed confidence that it will eventually become a full-fledged global network for peace and tolerance.

He said, “The launch of the World Tolerance Network and Tolerance Decathlon is part of a carefully studied 2019-2022 strategic plan, which includes a number of initiatives, programmes and activities aiming at strengthening the UAE’s position as a leading model of tolerance and a key partner in cementing human ties.”

He added that the UAE is a model of peaceful coexistence. “Through the World Tolerance Network, we aim to build a global network that brings together intellectuals, peace experts, academics, diplomats, international and local organisations and decision-makers to share their knowledge and experiences that will enhance the efforts for the promotion of a culture of tolerance and peace among all people,” he added.

Al Shaibani said, “We also aim to connect with similar organisations engaged in reinforcing and promoting inter-faith tolerance among people from different religious and cultural backgrounds.”

Stressing on the role of educational institutions in promoting the values of tolerance and spread it as a way of thinking and a way of life, Al Shaibani said, “The Institute is keen to adopt initiatives and programmes that embody different forms of tolerance to foster a tolerant generation of youth, who can play an active role in promoting security and peace in society.”

“As this segment of society is vulnerable to external influences, we need to raise their awareness on the importance of recognising, accepting and coexisting with others through dialogue, and rejecting all forms of intolerance.”

The membership categories of the Global Tolerance Network include governmental institutions, individual, community and governmental initiatives, youth, all media platforms including social media, human rights and philanthropic institutions, private sector, research centre, universities and other educational institutions

The Tolerance Decathlon competition includes five different categories: Stage performances, Artistic Presentation, Art Exhibition, Research Paper and Community initiatives.

The Organising Committee of the Tolerance Decathlon invites young minds interested to share their artistic works that portray tolerance in its purest form. Those interested can register via www.worldtolerancesummit.com/decathlon.

An international jury will shortlist best entries from each category. The selected entries will be showcased during the World Tolerance Summit, slated to take place on Nov.13-14 in Dubai under the theme “Tolerance in Multiculturalism: Achieving the Social, Economic and Humane Benefits of a Tolerant World”.