Kad ste zadnji put doživjeli netoleranciju prema sebi ili drugima samo zbog toga što ste imate drugačije mišljenje. Nažalost, to se događa vrlo često, jer ljudi još uvijek ne znaju tolerirati suprotne stavove, iako je to sjajna prilika za dijalog i razmjenu mišljenja. Ako se suočimo s takvim problemima u zemljama s samo jednom dominantnom nacionalnom zajednicom, zamislite u kakvom položaju su nacionalne manjine pogotovo Romi koji su podloženi kontinuiranoj diskriminaciji.

Tolerancija ne smije biti ravnodušnost i pasivno prihvaćanje drugih. To je aktivno oslobađanje, u kojem se razlike prihvaćaju kao da su naše vlastite. To također znači poštovanje velike raznolikosti čovječanstva na temelju ljudskih prava i suprotstavljanje svim oblicima rasizma, mržnje i diskriminacije, jer diskriminacija jednog je diskriminacija svih.

"Tolerancija je poštovanje, prihvaćanje i uvažavanje bogatstva različitosti kultura našeg svijeta, naš oblik izražavanja i način da budemo ljudi."

Ovo je izjava iz Deklaracije o načelima tolerancije UNESCO-a iz 1995. godine. Iste godine UN je proglasio 16. studeni Svjetskim danom tolerancije. Ovaj dan se obilježava s ciljem podizanja svijesti o toleranciji za obične ljude, ali i za tijela vlada i druga tijela na koje se to odnosi.

1994. godine UNESCO je obilježilo 125. godišnjicu rođenja Mahatme Gandhija time otvarajući put proglašenju 16. studenog Međunarodnim danom tolerancije od strane UN-a. Mahatma Gandhi je uzor mira, nenasilja i jednakosti. Gandhi je koristio nenasilje na osobnoj i na društvenoj razini. Smatrao je da se tolerancija treba svakodnevno živjeti. Gandhiev put k izgradnji nacije koji je on nazvao "Swaraj" ("samouprava") podrazumjevao je ne samo oslobađanje Indije od strane vladavine nego
i prevladavanje podjela koje su postojale u indijskom društvu. Gandhi je pokazao kako netko može stjeći poštovanje živim primjerom moralnog načina života. Cijeli njegov život je bio posvećen rješavanju različitih problema, posebno onih vezanih s kolonijalizmom, rasizmom i nasiljem. Gandhi se borio za slobodu Indije u korist svih naroda koji tamo žive, uključujući Rome čiji je dio i dalje u Indiji. Pored toga, doprinio je stvaranju Indije, zemlje podrijetla za Rome širom svijeta.

Desetljećima su Romi diskriminirani i tretirani kao ljudi koji nisu prihvaćeni u društvu. Kako bi se zaustavila ova tendencija i postigla veća uključenost, potreban je tolerantniji pristup prema Romima. Kao i svaku drugu manjinsku skupinu, Rome treba poštovati, prihvaćati i uvažavati. Romi obogaćuju raznolikost svijeta svojom jedinstvenom kulturom, jezikom i tradicijom. Podizanje svijesti i podrška od strane neromske zajednice također igra ključnu ulogu u olakšavanju integracije Roma. Kroz poštovanje, prihvaćanje i uvažavanje društvo može pomoći Romima u integraciji bez gubitka identiteta. To je važan korak za istinito priznanje Roma ravnopravnim građanima, koji između ostalog trebaju imati pristup dostojnim životnim uvjetima.

Konačno, tolerancija će nas voditi do mira, ispunjenja i bržeg razvoja ako se je svakodnevno držimo. Danas to je važnije nego ikad prije, jer imamo veću slobodu kretanja i interakcije s predstavnicima drugih naroda. Iskoristimo to kako bismo ispunili ciljeve i poboljšali svijet, a ne suprotno.

 

 

Tolerance as a tool for building better society

Our modern world became a field where the cultures intertwine with each other, traditions change under the influence of living in a different country, having international friends or a spouse. This is the time of vast opportunities to see the world and experience new ways of thinking. Such globalization influences individuals, we analyze and change our stereotypes, believes and way of life by interacting with other nations. Knowing more about the world and respecting views which are different from your own ones creates tolerance and gives us a key to make global society better.

However, just think when was the last time you experienced intolerance towards you or others just because you have a different opinion. Unfortunately, it happens very often and people still didn’t learn to tolerate contrary views, although it’s a great opportunity for dialogue and exchange. If we encounter such problems talking about the majority of nation in a country, just think of the national minorities’ position who don’t feel tolerated others, especially society excluded minorities like Roma. 

Tolerance must not be indifference and the passive acceptance of others. It must be an active liberation, where the differences are accepted the same as our own ones. This means respecting the great diversity of humanity on the basis of human rights. And standing up to all forms of racism, hatred and discrimination, because discrimination against one is discrimination against all.

“Tolerance is respect, acceptance and appreciation of the rich diversity of our world's cultures, our forms of expression and ways of being human.”

This statement comes from UNESCO’s 1995 Declaration of Principles on Tolerance, The same year the United Nations declared November 16 as International Day for Tolerance. It was created as a way to define and provide awareness of tolerance for any and all governing and participating bodies.

In 1994, UNESCO marked the 125th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi's birth paving the way for the proclamation of 16 November as the International Day for Tolerance by the UN. Mahatma Gandhi illustrates the role model of peace, non-violence and equality. Gandhi used non-violence on both individual level and social level. He believed that tolerance must be lived in day to day life. His path towards nation-building that he called “Swaraj” (“self-rule”) embodies not only removal of a foreign power but also overcoming challenges of divisions that persisted in Indian society. Gandhi showed how someone could win allegiance through the living example of a morally exalted way of life. The entire life his work focused on the solution of different problems, especially those related to colonialism, racism and violence. Gandhi was struggling for the freedom of India in favour to all peoples living there, including Roma people who are still present in India. In addition to that, he managed to contribute into the creation of country of origin for modern Roma all over the world.

For decades Roma have been discriminated and treated as people who are not accepted in society. In order to end this tendency and achieve greater inclusion, a more tolerant approach towards Roma is needed. Roma, as every other minority, have to be respected, accepted and appreciated. Roma enrich world’s diversity with its unique culture, language and traditions. Greater awareness and support by the non-Roma community is essential in facilitating Roma integration as well. So, by the means of respect, acceptance and appreciation society can help Roma people to integrate without losing their identity. This is an important step for Roma people to be truly recognized as equal citizens and access decent living conditions.

Finally, tolerance will lead us to peace, fulfillment and better development if we follow it on daily basis. It is more relevant today than ever before, because we have greater freedom of movement and interaction with other nations. Let’s use it to fulfill goals and making the world better, not the opposite.