It’s a wonderful idea – and move – that the second edition of the World Tolerance Summit will be held in Dubai from 14 to 16 November this year. A galaxy of distinguished speakers and peace experts from around the world, envoys from the international diplomatic community and university students are expected to attend the three-day summit.

Coming as it does almost at the end of the Year of Tolerance, it is perhaps a fitting finale. President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan declared 2019 as the Year of Tolerance, highlighting the UAE as a global capital for acceptance through its legislative and policy goals.

“Instilling values of tolerance carries on Sheikh Zayed’s legacy and teachings,” Sheikh Khalifa said.

Like the host nation which is a global trendsetter, the summit too is probably a world first. No other nation can boast of hosting such a meet which embraces one of the principal tenets of harmonious living. The UAE stands for social cohesion and multicultural coexistence and it has proved it by its stance on global platforms and actions.

The event will coincide with the International Day of Tolerance, in recognition of the concept of tolerance as a language of understanding and dialogue.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the 2019 edition is themed, ‘Tolerance in Multiculturalism: Achieving the Social, Economic and Humane Benefits of a Tolerant World.’ The summit is organised by the International Institute for Tolerance in Dubai, IIT, as part of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives.

It will highlight the efforts of the United Arab Emirates in promoting tolerance by spreading its principles, encouraging acceptance of others without discrimination, and by sending a message of love and peace to all parts of the world.

The summit will hold a number of activities, including the ‘Governmental Tolerance Exhibition’, where a number of government bodies will present their projects and initiatives related to tolerance, diversity and peaceful coexistence in the work environment.

As Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the UAE’s Minister of Tolerance said at a recent event, “Tolerance is like oxygen and the people of the UAE are the trees helping equally to produce the oxygen of tolerance.”

In defining the Ministry’s role, Sheikh Nahyan described it as “a Ministry for all – all nationalities, all religions, for men and women and for all ages. So, you see,” he told the gathering at the function, “the Ministry of Tolerance is also for you and your friends and not a Ministry just for your parents and other adults.”

The country has also highlighted its outstanding and ample role establishing and creating channels of communication with all peoples.

The greater the participation of the country’s people in promoting tolerance, the more harmonious, peaceful and prosperous the country will be.

Praise for the UAE has come from none other than Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church. He has affirmed that tolerance and UAE are ‘’two sides of the same coin.”

Pope Francis commended the UAE’s vision for promoting values of coexistence and tolerance. He said he himself had seen its results in the Arab region and many parts of the world.