The UN General Assembly on 21 December 2020 adopted a resolution declaring 4 February as the International Day of Human Fraternity. The day is to be observed each year, beginning in 2021.
So, this time it is the 1st International Day of Human Fraternity.
How the International Day of Human Fraternity was formed?
The Higher Committee for Human Fraternity was established on 20 August 2019. It is composed of Christian, Muslim, and Jewish members, including Vatican officials.
Committee members, including Cardinal Ayuso Guixot, the president of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue, and Salam, met UN Secretary-General António Guterres on 4 December 2019, at the UN headquarters.
They presented the UN chief with a message from the Pope and the Grand Imam, proposing that 4 February be declared the World Day of Human Fraternity. The proposal was forwarded to the Assembly by the representative of the UAE.
Significance of the day
According to the UN, “We also need to underline the importance of raising awareness about different cultures and religions, or beliefs, and the promotion of tolerance, which involves societal acceptance and respect for religious and cultural diversity, including with regard to religious expression. Education, in particular at school, should contribute in a meaningful way to promoting tolerance and the elimination of discrimination based on religion or belief.”
