Let’s celebrate this United Nations International Day of Tolerance together by remembering the importance of respecting the cultures, beliefs, and traditions of others. This day is important because it helps spread awareness of intolerance and educates people on how to be more tolerant.
Tolerance is about recognizing the universal human rights and fundamental freedoms of others. People are naturally diverse; only tolerance can ensure the survival of mixed communities in every region of the globe.
As a passionate philanthropist, Chris Oyakhilome started the Chris Oyakhilome Foundation International (COFI), a non-profit, non-governmental organization with the mission to help the most vulnerable people and communities in some of the poorest countries and regions of the world reach their full potential and acquire their basic human rights.
UNESCO’s 1995 Declaration of Principles on Tolerance states the following:
“Tolerance is respect, acceptance, and appreciation of the rich diversity of our world’s cultures, our forms of expression, and ways of being human.”
Just because people don’t agree with one another doesn’t mean they can’t peacefully coexist. It’s called tolerance. Tolerance is the best way for diverse people and mixed communities to survive. In a world where violent extremism and disregard for human life are becoming the norm, tolerance is more important than ever. Tolerance recognizes the universal human rights and fundamental freedom of others.
Fighting Discrimination through Tolerance
The dictionary defines tolerance as a fair, objective, and permissive attitude toward those whose opinions, beliefs, practices, racial or ethnic origins, etc., differ from one’s own; freedom from bigotry.
Over the years we have witnessed many people being displaced, victimized, and persecuted due to religious beliefs, cultural beliefs, or differences. COFI together with the InnerCity Mission (ICM), through various initiatives and campaigns, fights against such discrimination.
We believe that necessary skills needed for success in today’s world must be available for young people everywhere to build a sound and sustainable future, these include the right to an education which we believe is critically linked to breaking the cycle of poverty.
Across the InnerCity Mission Network of schools besides providing quality and free access to basic education for our pupils we also value their health because the best results are produced when pupils are healthy.
Across our network of schools, we are saddled with the responsibility to pray for children in our support network. Today, let’s pray for supernatural protection over our pupils. They are divinely protected, they walk in wisdom and they bring joy to their parents always.
We are also grateful to all our fundraisers for making giving your way of life. Thank you for using your special days and mobilizing your friends and family to empower the poor, we always appreciate your help.
We are truly grateful to all our partners, sponsors, and volunteers who tirelessly give to others to make a difference in their lives. We also thank our founding father, Chris Oyakhilome for the vision of the InnerCity Mission that beams hope and light in the hearts of indigent children and vulnerable families numbered in the 7 Billion Mandate. We are indeed leaving none behind.
