International Day for Tolerance 2026

About International Day for Tolerance

The International Day for Tolerance is observed every year on November 16, a date chosen by UNESCO to underline that tolerance is more than putting up with difference. In the language of the 1995 declaration that created it, tolerance means respect, acceptance, and appreciation of the rich variety of the world's cultures, languages, and ways of communicating. The day urges people and governments to treat diversity as a strength rather than a threat and to answer disagreement with dialogue instead of violence.

UNESCO marks the date with the Madanjeet Singh Prize for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence, awarded every two years to individuals or organizations doing outstanding work in the field. Schools, universities, and community groups hold debates, film screenings, and intercultural exchanges, and UNESCO links the observance to its campaigns against racism, discrimination, and hate speech online.

The underlying message is that tolerance is active work, not passive patience, and that it begins with everyday choices in classrooms, workplaces, and comment sections.

When is International Day for Tolerance?

History of International Day for Tolerance

The observance grew out of 1995, which the United Nations General Assembly had declared the Year for Tolerance at UNESCO's initiative. On November 16, 1995, UNESCO's member states adopted the Declaration of Principles on Tolerance, defining tolerance as respect and appreciation for the universal nature of human rights and fundamental freedoms. In 1996, the UNESCO General Conference formally proclaimed November 16 as the International Day for Tolerance. The Madanjeet Singh Prize, established in 1995 and named for the Indian diplomat, artist, and UNESCO goodwill ambassador, was first awarded in 1996 and honors achievement in tolerance and non-violence. Over the years the day has been used to launch campaigns against hate speech and discrimination, and it sits exactly one month before Human Rights Day on December 10, anchoring the UN's broader human rights calendar in the final weeks of the year.

How to Celebrate International Day for Tolerance

• ✦ Have a genuine conversation with someone whose background, faith, or viewpoint differs from yours, and listen more than you talk.
• ✦ Read the UNESCO Declaration of Principles on Tolerance; it is short and surprisingly practical.
• ✦ Watch a film or read a book from a culture you know little about, then share it with a friend.
• ✦ Calmly call out a stereotype or hateful joke when you hear one, without shaming the speaker.
• ✦ Learn about the Madanjeet Singh Prize laureates and the grassroots work they do.