A/66/156
the Secretary-General to further solicit views of Member States on the possibility of
proclaiming a United Nations decade for interreligious and intercultural dialogue
and cooperation for peace (see resolution 65/138). The Human Rights Council
called upon States to foster a domestic environment of religious tolerance, peace
and respect, inter alia by encouraging the creation of collaborative networks to build
mutual understanding, promoting dialogue and inspiring constructive action towards
shared policy goals and the pursuit of tangible outcomes (see Human Rights Council
resolution 16/18).
40. One recent activity, for example, is the launch of a global campaign to create a
grass-roots movement of people who advocate for diversity, with an emphasis on
creating a stronger link between those working at the local and global levels. The
“Do One Thing” campaign was launched by the Alliance of Civilizations and
UNESCO on United Nations World Day for Cultural Diversity. It involves a
campaign calling on individuals to take an action that is relevant to their lives and
that promotes diversity and inclusion, for example in the form of culture, an
exhibition, a film or even a particular food. The sharing of experience is to be
promoted through the use of social media, website postings and videos. The
campaign also has the support of the private sector and large corporations, which
allows the project to receive greater visibility.
41. The options for State activities in the field of interreligious communication are
manifold and include symbolic or financial support and facilitating or infrastructural
activities. The possible impact of symbolic public acknowledgement and
encouragement of interreligious communication by representatives of the State
should not be underestimated. Social psychological research has underscored the
significance of an encouraging societal and political environment for human
encounters in yielding productive and sustainable results. In addition to the
Government, members of legislative bodies and representatives of other State
organizations can play an important role in this regard. States can also designate a
particular period of the year for interreligious communication activities
(e.g., holding an interfaith week and giving symbolic, financial and infrastructural
support to such a project. This approach can also be used as an opportunity to
highlight the smaller initiatives, practical projects, art exhibitions and seminars that
would otherwise go largely unnoticed.
42. The State can also provide financial support for existing or new interreligious
dialogue projects. Not only high-level projects, such as public meetings of religious
leaders, but also grass-roots movements warrant attention and appreciation in this
regard and should be able to benefit from financial subsidies and infrastructure
support. States should favourably consider providing teachers and students with
voluntary opportunities for meetings and exchanges with their counterparts of
different religions or beliefs, encouraging exchanges of teachers and students and
facilitating educational study abroad (see A/HRC/16/53, para. 61 and
E/CN.4/2002/73, appendix, para. 10). This can be in the form of annual summer
camps or workshop projects that bring together students from different regions for
an intensive training course on human rights education, interreligious dialogue and
conflict resolution. Providing space and opportunity for participants to meet,
interact and engage with their peers can also be a good basis for not only getting rid
of negative stereotypes, but also for taking back to their respective countries the
skills and techniques acquired in such camps and for perhaps replicating the
initiatives in different countries or communities.
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