Let’s renew our joint commitment to promoting mutual respect, religious and cultural diversity and advancing dialogue.
As we commemorate the International Day of Human Fraternity 2024, Let us reaffirm our commitment to bridging divides, fostering religious understanding and cooperation among people of all cultures and beliefs. Together, let us forge a path towards a more peaceful, just and harmonious world for all.
The celebration of the first International Day of Human Fraternity within the setting of World Interfaith Harmony Week provides an opportunity to highlight the principles and value included in the Document of Human Fraternity and explore good practices towards its implementation as a pathway to the future as we rebuild a better world. Programme of the celebration
In recognition of the moral imperatives of all religions, convictions and beliefs to call for peace, tolerance and mutual understanding, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the first week of February every year the World Interfaith Harmony Week through the unanimous adoption of resolution A/RES/65/5 World Interfaith Harmony Week in 2010. Since the adoption of the resolution, many UN Member States, UN entities, faith actors and relevant entities re-iterate their commitment to spreading the messages of interfaith harmony and goodwill in the world’s churches, mosques, synagogues, temples and other places of worship during that week, based on love of God and love of one’s neighbor or on love of the good and love of one’s neighbor, each according to their own religious traditions or convictions.
The COVID-19 pandemic has put to the test our shared human values. It laid bare deep-rooted inequalities in our societies. Communities were divided across religious, ethnic and cultural lines. Growing religious hatred, stigma and manifestations of various forms of discrimination against vulnerable communities including minorities risk undermining global efforts to recover and rebuild better. This phenomenon is an affront to the values and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in particular the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion as well as the UN General Assembly resolution 36/55 of 25 November 1981 “Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief”.
As such, state and relevant non-state actors including, in particular, religious leaders from across the faith spectrum play a vital role in promoting dialogue among all religious groups leading to an improved awareness and understanding of the common values shared by all mankind. Promoting acceptance and respect of religious and cultural diversity through interreligious and intercultural dialogue will create an environment conducive to building peaceful, just and inclusive societies. Member States who have the primary responsibility to counter discrimination and hate speech, and all relevant actors, including political and religious should promote inclusion and unity and to prevent, speak out and take strong action against racism, xenophobia, hate speech, violence, discrimination, including on the basis of age, and stigmatization (UNGA Resolution A/74/L.92)
In that context, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/75/200 on 21 December 2020 proclaiming February 4 as the International Day of Human Fraternity to be observed every year as of 2021. The resolution co-sponsored by Egypt and the United Arab Emirates takes note of efforts and initiatives aimed at promoting interreligious and intercultural dialogue including the meeting between His Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmad al-Tayeb on 4 February 2019 in Abu Dhabi that resulted in the signing of the “Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and living Together”. It also invites all Member States to further promote a culture of peace, tolerance, inclusion, understanding and solidarity.
In your opinion, how do you perceive the concept of Human Fraternity?
In that sense, those humanistic principles are aligned with the goals and objectives of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) which was created in 2005 to advance intercultural and interreligious dialogue as a viable tool to prevent and defuse identity-based tensions UNAOC works to advance mutual respect for cultures, traditions, and religious beliefs. Over the years, it has provided a global platform for dialogue between faith actors across the faith spectrum emanating from a recognition that genuine dialogue bridges divide and overcomes prejudices, stigmatization, misperceptions, and polarization. Fulfilling a world of “One Humanity, Many Cultures” is the raison d’etre of UNAOC.
What is the Culture of Peace?
A culture of peace is a set of values, attitudes, traditions and modes of behaviour and ways of life based on:
Respect for life, ending of violence and promotion and practice of non-violence through education, dialogue and cooperation;
Full respect for and promotion of all human rights and fundamental freedoms;
Respect for and promotion of the right to development; Respect for and promotion of equal rights and opportunities for women and men;
Commitment to peaceful settlement of conflicts;
Adherence to the principles of freedom, justice, democracy, tolerance, solidarity, cooperation, pluralism, cultural diversity, dialogue and understanding at all levels of society and among nations; and fostered by an enabling national and international environment conducive to peace.
Efforts to meet the developmental and environmental needs of present and future generations;
Respect for and promotion of the right of everyone to freedom of expression, opinion and information;
Full respect for the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of States and non-intervention in matters which are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of any State, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and international law;
The Document on Human Fraternity aims to promote human fraternity, tolerance, and world peace, along with spreading the principles of fraternity, and peaceful coexistence amongst people everywhere. The concept of human fraternity acquires many meanings and is embodied in various forms.
The Key Principles of the Human Fraternity Document.
- Religions invite us to remain routed in the value of peace
- Freedom is a right of every human
- Justice is the path to achieve a dignified life
- Dialogue solves may problems
- Dialogue amomg believers means coming together
- The protection of places of worship is guaranteed by religions
- Terrorism is due to incorrect interpretation of religious texts
- Citizenship is based on the equality of tights and duties
- Good relations between East a,nd Wests are indisputably neccesary
- Recognizing the right of women to education and employment
- The Protection of the fundamental rights of children
- The Protection of the rights of the elderly, and the weak
Religions invite us to remain routed in the value of peace.
Dialogue solves may problems.
Terrorism is due to incorrect interpretation of religious texts.
Recognizing the right of women to education and employment.
Freedom is a right of every human.
Dialogue amomg believers means coming together.
Citizenship is based on the equality of tights and duties.
The Protection of the fundamental rights of children.
Justice is the path to achieve a dignified life.
The protection of places of worship is guaranteed by religions.
Good relations between East and West are indisputably neccesary
The Protection of the rights of the elderly, and the weak.
PAST OBSERVANCES
“Let’s renew our joint commitment to promoting mutual respect, religious and cultural diversity and advancing dialogue.” International Day of Human Fraternity 2024. February 4th.
In commemoration of the 2024 International Day of Human Fraternity, the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) is organizing a virtual event for Member States, religious leaders, faith actors, and civil society representatives. The event is co-sponsored by the Permanent Missions of Egypt and the United Arab Emirates to the United Nations. FORUM: “Let’s renew our joint commitment to promoting mutual respect, religious and cultural diversity…
“Human fraternity for peace and cooperation.” International Day of Human Fraternity 2023; February 4th.
LIVESTREAM: The event will be streamed live via UN Web TV and UNAOC. On the occasion of the International Day of Human Fraternity 2023 on Monday, 6 February 2023, from 3:00 to 5:00 PM EST (New York time); The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) in partnership with the Permanent Mission of Egypt to the United Nations and Permanent Mission of the United Arab Emirates to the United Nations, are organizing…
“Promoting fraternity through leadership, laws and regulations.” International Day of Human Fraternity 2022; February 4th.
An annual event that celebrates the spirit of human fraternity and respect for diversity among all people across the globe Statement by the U.N. Secretary-Generalon the International Day of Human Fraternity 2022. On the International Day of Human Fraternity, we reflect on the importance of cultural and religious understanding, and mutual respect. I am grateful…
International Day of Human Fraternity 