Our Common Humanity in the Information Age. Principles and Values for Development

CHAPTER V 
TOLERANCE AND DIALOGUE 

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91
OVERVIEW 
Georg Kell, Executive Director, United Nations Global Compact Office
Embodied in the Millennium Declaration are a common set of fundamental values and 
principles including freedom, equality, solidarity, tolerance and dialogue. The aim of this 
section is to give tangible expression to the values of tolerance and dialogue - particularly 
important if we are to build a more inclusive global economy and a more peaceful world.
The challenges of globalization are too interconnected for any one individual or sector of 
society to address alone. Our common goals of peace and development can only be 
realized with the active engagement of Governments, civil society and the business 
community. It is in this spirit of multi-stakeholder cooperation and dialogue that the UN 
Global Compact was conceived. The UN Global Compact was founded on the premise 
that business has a unique role to play in helping to achieve the broad objectives of the 
UN: peace and security, sustainable development and the protection of human rights. As 
creators of jobs and wealth, as promoters of trade and investme nt and as innovators in the 
development of new technologies, business, civil society and the UN must continue to 
enhance tolerance and dialogue in order to more effectively pursue our common goals.
We should work together to establish a new definition of tolerance – where we respect, 
accept, listen to, and understand others. By increasing communication and dialogue 
among peoples we can begin to understand the challenges , others are confronting each 
and every day. Through dialogue we can develop empathy, gain a greater understanding 
and appreciation for others and recognize additional opportunities for collective problem-
solving. It is only by transforming our rhetoric of tolerance to respect and understanding 
that we will be able to work together toward solving some of our world’s most pressing 
problems.
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In “Dialogue”, Karen Armstrong begins her statement with the assertion that we are all 
living in one world and that this world is one of economic interdependence. This world is 
also one of information technology and easy access to immense amounts of information - 
especially on the web. In “Discussion on Tolerance, Dialogue and Religion”, Marshall 
notes that the idea of tolerance needs to be expanded from simply putting up with 

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92 | Our Common Humanity in the Information Age 
something to appreciation and engagement. Dialogue needs a revision: from simply 
meaning words and no action to an idea of openness to a transformation of understanding 
and as a basis for action in a discussion.
In “Spiritual Strength”, Kitagawa states that we are faced with many global challenges 
and there is an exacerbation of the consciousness of fear. In response to conflict and 
differences, there is ever increasing militarization. We are now at the tipping point of 
dysfunction and focusing specifically on this will only further the dysfunction. In “Giving 
Soul to Globalization”, Skali highlights the interfaith event he created, Festival de Fès, 
which focuses on using art and music - especially sacred music - in order to create 
dialogue between civilizations featuring a dialogue among people and showcases the 
importance of diversity in people and religions all over the world. In “Humanity and 
Tolerance”, Ghent-Rodriguez speaks of the difficulty in defining the term tolerance. The 
meaning should compass much more than to simply put up with and should include 
cherish, respect, and dialogue.