UN General Secretary Calls for Religious Tolerance

September 21, 2006

Source: The Associated Press

http://www.localnewsleader.com/kindred/stories/index.php?action=fullnews&id=8753

On September 21, 2006 The Associated Press reported, "U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan told a conference on interfaith dialogue Thursday that he worried the current trend toward increasing intolerance will spread conflict. Other participants in the conference at the United Nations said governments must isolate extremists, improve education to promote understanding and tackle the root causes of anger and despair among the disenfranchised to keep them from resorting to violence that undercuts security and development. 'Driving these disturbing developments is the growing tendency to articulate differences in terms of identity — be it religious, ethnic, racial or otherwise — rather than in terms of opinions or interests,' Annan added... Thursday‘s meeting, held on the sidelines of the General Assembly, was preceded by a 15-nation core group passing a draft resolution urging all nations, organizations and civil society 'to promote a culture of peace' with practical, action-oriented steps at the local, national and international levels."