A/RES/59/142
Recalling with satisfaction the proclamation of the Global Agenda for
Dialogue among Civilizations, 3 bearing in mind the valuable contribution that
dialogue among civilizations can make to an improved awareness and understanding
of the common values shared by all humankind,
Recalling the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity of the United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization 4 and the principles
contained therein,
Emphasizing the need, at all levels of society and among nations, for
strengthening freedom, justice, democracy, tolerance, solidarity, cooperation,
pluralism, respect for diversity of culture and religion or belief, dialogue and
understanding, which are important elements for peace, and convinced that the
guiding principles of democratic society need to be actively promoted by the
international community,
Reaffirming that freedom of expression, media pluralism, multilingualism,
equal access to art and to scientific and technological knowledge, including in
digital form, and the possibility for all cultures to have access to the means of
expression and dissemination are the guarantees of cultural diversity, and that in
ensuring the free flow of ideas by word and image, care should be exercised that all
cultures can express themselves and make themselves known,
Recognizing all efforts made by the United Nations system and other
international and regional organizations to promote understanding, tolerance and
friendship among human beings in all their diversity of culture, religion, belief and
language, including the initiative of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization to proclaim 2006 the International Year of Global
Consciousness and the Ethics of Dialogue among Peoples, 5
Alarmed that serious instances of intolerance and discrimination on the
grounds of religion or belief, including acts of violence, intimidation and coercion
motivated by religious intolerance, are on the increase in many parts of the world
and threaten the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms,
Considering that tolerance for cultural, ethnic, and religious and linguistic
diversities, as well as dialogue among and within civilizations, is essential for
peace, understanding and friendship among individuals and people of different
cultures and nations of the world, while manifestations of cultural prejudice,
intolerance and xenophobia towards different cultures and religions generate hatred
and violence among peoples and nations throughout the world,
Emphasizing that combating hatred, prejudice, intolerance and stereotyping on
the basis of religion or culture represents a significant global challenge that requires
further action,
Takes note of the report transmitted by the Secretary-General in
1.
accordance with resolution 58/128; 6
_______________
3
Resolution 56/6.
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Records of the General Conference,
Thirty-first Session, Paris, 15 October–3 November 2001, vol. 1: Resolutions, chap. V, resolution 25,
annex I.
5
Ibid., Thirty-second Session, Paris, 29 September–17 October 2003, vol.1: Resolutions, chap. IV,
resolution 30.
6
See A/59/201.
4
2