Addis Ababa — World Tolerance Day was marked with the motto: "Through Our Culture of Tolerance, We Will Be A Model To the World" for the 2nd time in Ethiopia at an event organized at the National Theater here yesterday.

Culture and Tourism State Minister Dawed Mohammed told event participants, "we are marking days like this because our culture of tolerance would help us to protect constitutional rights."

He added because peace and tolerance are the foundation for development through unity in diversity, people have to work hard to sustain development, peace and democratization efforts the country embarked upon by upholding their belief, opinion, culture, language, etc. respecting that of others.

Interfaith Peace Building Initiative Board Chair Ambassador Muse Hailu on his part said, the golden principle "Don't do to others what you don't want to be done unto you; do to others what you want others to do for you," is valued and accepted by cultures, religions and ethical rules and philosophies by people all over the world.

The golden principle is also the cornerstone in building a peaceful and just better world where people live hand in hand, he added.

Four scholars from the Addis Ababa University have also presented papers dealing on diversity, tolerance and its challenges, development, democracy and religious extremism, focusing on how various forms of injustice, oppression, racism and unfair discrimination have a negative impact on the society sharing their personal experiences.

Some 1,200 participants drawn from both houses, schools and various governmental offices attended the event organized by the Ministry of Culture and Toursism.

The UN International Day of Tolerance by UNESCO in 1996 to create general public awareness of the dangers and to help them understand the negative effects of intolerance and to educate people about the need for tolerance in society On November 16, 1995, the UNESCO member states adopted the Declaration of Principles on Tolerance and Follow-up Plan of Action for the year. The Day is basically celebrated for four basic principles: Commitment of Heads of State and Government to advance welfare, next principle is for freedom and progress everywhere, following by encouraging tolerance, respect and dialogue and the last to make proper coordination between different cultures, civilizations and people to stop inequality.