Nahyan Bin Mubarak Inaugurates "Tolerance Without Borders" Forum in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, September 20th - His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, opened the "Tolerance Without Borders" forum in Abu Dhabi, emphasizing the UAE's commitment to peace, tolerance, and regional and global cooperation. He attributed this commitment to the historical leadership of the founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, "May God bless his soul," and the wise leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE.
Minister Nahyan stressed that the UAE is a peaceful country that strives to promote peace, tolerance, and cooperation, free from ignorance, prejudice, stereotyping, and bias. Instead, it upholds steadfast principles rooted in peaceful conflict resolution and addressing human issues.
He highlighted how the wise leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has transformed the UAE into a nation of progress, prosperity, and stability, committed to promoting principles of peaceful coexistence. This commitment is integral to the UAE's national vision for a sustainable future. Minister Nahyan pointed out that the upcoming COP28 conference presents a significant opportunity for the UAE to showcase its achievements as a socially cohesive and economically sustainable nation.
These remarks were made during the opening speech at the "Tolerance Without Borders" forum organized by the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence in cooperation with various local and international institutions under the theme "Sustainability: An Inherent Part of the UAE's Approach and Legacy of the Founding Father."
Minister Nahyan extended his warm welcome to the attendees, acknowledging their commitment to working together to empower the youth. He emphasized the ministry's pivotal role in engaging the youth and fostering a spirit of citizenship in their service to their nation.
He explained that the "Tolerance Without Borders" initiative, launched four years ago by the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence, aims to enhance dialogue and understanding while addressing pressing global issues. In today's interconnected world, the youth and members of tolerance clubs are ready to lead change and harness available technology in a limitless world.
Minister Nahyan directed his message to university students, saying, "You, the youth, with your creative and noble endeavors, confirm that our hopes and optimism for the future are justified and true. You are the future leaders, capable of building a better world for all of us, given the opportunity and the responsibility to use your knowledge, intelligence, and dedication for the betterment of your communities."
He added, "Our initiative today, 'Tolerance Without Borders,' reflects the highest ideals for a global society measured by the level of cooperation, dialogue, and coexistence among its citizens. These values lie at the heart of our national vision for the present and future of the UAE."
Minister Nahyan highlighted the environmental challenges and the importance of sustainable development in the face of unprecedented resource depletion, escalating greenhouse gas emissions, and water pollution. He warned that if current trends continue, coastal areas may be submerged due to rising sea levels, and he called upon the youth to work towards a more sustainable future.
He urged university students to think critically about the possibilities presented by this initiative for their personal development and growth. He emphasized the importance of learning from new friends and relationships formed through the initiative and encouraged all participants to convey the essence of "Tolerance Without Borders" to their friends, colleagues, and the world through their actions, words, and behaviors.
Minister Nahyan expressed his strong confidence in the youth's ability to educate, energize, and motivate the international community to address common issues and find effective solutions to contemporary challenges. This is why there is significant interest in the success of university-based tolerance clubs.
The forum, attended by more than 700 experts, specialists, academics, and students from both UAE and international universities, focused on two main themes: "Harnessing Technology to Promote Tolerance and Protect the Planet" and "Tolerance and Digital Media."
Dr. Arlie Petters, Dean of New York University Abu Dhabi, discussed the values of tolerance and their connection to media arts and their essential role in spreading tolerance, coexistence, and sustainability to different segments of society. He pointed out that New York University's unique position in the global educational landscape and its extensive experience confirm the UAE as an environment housing diverse global thinkers in terms of thought, culture, and language.
Dr. Petters emphasized that hosting creative displays of artists who interact with the world in countless ways is a crucial tool in promoting tolerance and coexistence. By providing these artists with a platform for performance, the university fosters a space for dialogue, communication, and collaboration. Additionally, New York University Abu Dhabi collaborates with various individuals and entities in various fields such as social work, the environment, and the arts to facilitate dialogue and create a wonderful environment for meeting, interacting, and collaborating.
In conclusion, Minister Nahyan expressed the importance of fostering a sense of global awareness and lifelong learning by leveraging technology to extend communication beyond local and regional boundaries. In this era of sustainability and with the COP28 conference later this year, university students and tolerance clubs can play a pivotal role in raising global awareness of sustainable development.
Minister Nahyan concluded by highlighting the importance of the youth's education, vitality, and enthusiasm in driving the international community to confront common issues and seek effective solutions to the challenges of our time. This is why the success of university-based tolerance clubs is of great interest and significance.
The "Tolerance Without Borders" forum brought together a diverse group of experts, specialists, academics, and students, emphasizing the significance of promoting tolerance, coexistence, and sustainability in today's interconnected world. The event underscored the vital role of the UAE in leading by example in these domains.
