Promotion of interreligious and intercultural dialogue,
understanding and cooperation for peace
A/RES/73/129
Reaffirming the importance of sustaining the process of engaging all
stakeholders, including young men and women as relevant actors, in interreligious
and intercultural dialogue within the appropriate initiatives at various l evels, which
aims to challenge prejudices, improve mutual understanding and foster cooperation,
Recognizing the commitment of all religions to peace and the contribution that
interreligious and intercultural dialogue among religions, groups and individuals, in
particular religious leaders, can make towards an improved awareness and
understanding of the common values shared by all humankind,
Noting the Appeal for Peace, signed by religious leaders during the World Day
of Prayer for Peace, held in Assisi, Italy, on 20 September 2016,
1.
Reaffirms that mutual understanding and interreligious and intercultural
dialogue constitute important dimensions of the dialogue among civilizations and of
the culture of peace;
2.
Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General on the promotion of a
culture of peace and interreligious and intercultural dialogue, understanding and
cooperation for peace; 5
3.
Recognizes the importance of interreligious and intercultural dialogue and
its valuable contribution to promoting social cohesion, peace and development, and
calls upon Member States to consider, as appropriate and where applicable,
interreligious and intercultural dialogue as an important tool in efforts aimed at
achieving peace and social stability and the full realization of internationally agreed
development goals;
4.
Also recognizes the efforts by relevant stakeholders to foster peaceful and
harmonious coexistence within societies by promoting respect for religious and
cultural diversity, including by engendering sustained and robust interaction among
various segments of society;
5.
Further recognizes the leading role of the United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization on intercultural dialogue and its contribution to
interreligious dialogue, as well as its activities related to the culture of peace and
non-violence and its focus on concrete actions at the global, regional and subregional
levels;
6.
Encourages Member States and relevant intergovernmental and
non-governmental organizations to continue to consider carrying out activities in
support of the Action Plan for the International Decade for the Rapprochement of
Cultures (2013–2022), adopted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization, 6 which provides a framework for enhancing interreligious and
intercultural dialogue and promoting tolerance and mutual understanding , while
placing emphasis on the involvement of women and youth in such dialogue;
7.
Condemns any advocacy of religious hatred that constitutes incitement to
discrimination, hostility or violence, whether it involves the use of print, audiovisual
or electronic media, social media or any other means;
8.
Reaffirms the solemn commitment of all States to fulfil their obligations
to promote universal respect for and observance and protection of all human rights
and fundamental freedoms for all in accordance wit h the Charter of the United
Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1 and other instruments relating
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A/73/391.
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cul tural Organization, Executive Board
decision 194 EX/10.
18-21727