Conflict is the opposite of development. Violent and non-violent conflict are fuelled by intolerance. The common thread running through all of today’s major conflicts – from Syria and Iraq, to Somalia and North Korea – is intolerance. Whether driven by governments or from within society, promoting tolerance is key to development. Intolerance of race, religion, ethnicity, sexuality, gender, age, caste and many others are equally regressive to peace and security in developing and developed countries.
The One Young World community identified sources of tension fuelled by intolerance such as immigration, terrorism, ethnicity, religious and tribal differences as the primary sources of tension in their country or community. Furthermore, 60% of the One Young World community said gay people and their rights are not respected in their country. Building a more tolerant society within nation states and between nation states will come from grassroots solutions, from young people and the private sector as well as governments. 60% of the One Young World Community maintain civil society is too silent in the face of intolerance in their country. Resolving differences in the aftermath of conflict, moving towards tolerant acceptance of difference is vital, particularly in an age where internal conflict and civil war is more prevalent than ever before.
How can we challenge the intolerance that drives conflict?
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