Combating intolerance, negative stereotyping, stigmatization, discrimination, incitement to violence and violence against persons, based on religion or belief A/RES/72/176 Expressing deep concern at the instances of intolerance and discrimination and acts of violence occurring in the world, including cases motivated by discrimination against persons belonging to religious minorities, in addition to the negative projection of the followers of religions and the enforcement of measures that specifically discriminate against persons on the basis of religion or belief, Expressing concern at the growing manifestations of intolerance based on religion or belief, which can generate hatred and violence among individuals from and within different nations and which may have serious implications at the national, regional and international levels, and in this regard emphasizing the importance o f respect for religious and cultural diversity, as well as interreligious, interfaith and intercultural dialogue aimed at promoting a culture of tolerance and respect among individuals, societies and nations, Recognizing the valuable contribution of people of all religions or beliefs to humanity and the contribution that dialogue among religious groups can make towards an improved awareness and understanding of the common values shared by all humankind, Underlining the fact that States, regional organizations, national human rights institutions, non-governmental organizations, religious bodies and the media have an important role to play in promoting tolerance and respect for religious and cultural diversity and in the universal promotion and protection of human rights, including freedom of religion or belief, Underlining also the importance of raising awareness about different cultures and religions or beliefs and of education in the promotion of tolerance, which involves the acceptance by the public of and its respect for religious and cultural diversity, including with regard to religious expression, and underlining further the fact that education, in particular at school, should contribute in a meaningful way to promoting tolerance and the elimination of discrimination based on religion or belief, Recognizing that working together to enhance the implementation of existing legal regimes that protect individuals against discrimination and hate crimes, increasing interreligious, interfaith and intercultural efforts and expanding human rights education are important first steps in combating incidents of intolerance, discrimination and violence against individuals on the basis of religion or belief, Recalling its resolution 70/109, entitled “A world against violence and violent extremism”, adopted by consensus on 10 December 2015, welcoming the leading role of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in promoting intercultural dialogue, the work of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizatio ns, the work of the Anna Lindh Euro-Mediterranean Foundation for the Dialogue between Cultures in Alexandria, Egypt, and the work of the King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue in Vienna, and recalling also its resolution 65/5 of 20 October 2010 on World Interfaith Harmony Week, proposed by King Abdullah II of Jordan, Welcoming in this regard all international, regional and national initiatives aimed at promoting interreligious, intercultural and interfaith harmony and combating discrimination against individuals on the basis of religion or belief, noting the initiative of the Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide on the role of religious leaders in preventing incitement that could lead to atrocity crimes and the declaration of its forum held in Fez, Morocco, on 23 and 24 April 2015, the Istanbul Process for Combating Intolerance, Discrimination and Incitement to Hatred and/or Violence on the Basis of Religion or Belief, the announcement on 6 October 2016 of the establishment by the United Arab Emirates of the International Institute for Tolerance for promoting the value of tolerance among 17-22992 3/6