Tolerance as a Foundation for Unity and Justice: Perspectives From the Bahá’í International Community

Strengthening societal norms of tolerance is a matter of high priority for many policy makers, as
numerous areas are witnessing increasing signs of social cleavage, unrest, and turmoil. The
importance of tolerance is well recognized in the United Nations Organization and the multilateral
system more broadly. Yet experience shows that tolerant societies emerge only to the degree that
conscious efforts to promote the values, qualities, and attitudes needed to sustain them. In this paper
I examine the ethical and philosophical foundations of the notion of tolerance through analysis of the
landmark Declaration of Principles on Tolerance, developed by the United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). I then explore the critical role to be played by
education, particularly moral and values-based education, in building tolerant and inclusive
societies. This exploration is grounded in analysis of grassroots efforts undertaken by the worldwide
Bahá’í community, including the specific examples of the Sistema de Aprendizaje Tutorial (Tutorial
Learning System) undertaken across Latin America, and a network of development organizations
dedicated to the establishment of community schools across Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. These case
studies suggest that, in addition to being a desired end in its own right, tolerance is a necessary
prerequisite and instrumental means of bringing about a variety of other desired social conditions,
particularly freely chosen unity and impartial justice.