MALACAÑANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

PROCLAMATION NO. 914

DECLARING EVERY NOVEMBER 16 AS INTERNATIONAL

DAY FOR TOLERANCE

WHEREAS,

the Philippines through UNESCO and the Department of Education, Culture and Sports aims to generate public awareness, commitment and action in support of tolerance;

WHEREAS,

the Philippines is one of the Member States which adopted the Declaration of Principles of Tolerance during the twenty-eighth session of the UNESCO General Conference in Paris last October 25- November 16, 1995;

WHEREAS,

as the Philippines has committed itself to promote tolerance and non-violence through programs and institutions in the field of education, science, culture and communications;

WHEREAS,

schools need to adopt positive measures to promote tolerance, not only as a cherished principle but also as a necessity for peace and development;

WHEREAS,

education is the most effective means of preventing acts of intolerance such as violence, terrorism, xenophobia, aggressive nationalism and racism;

WHEREAS,

there is a need to deepen our understanding of tolerance as a virtue that upholds human rights, pluralism, democracy and the rule of law which will contribute to the transformation of the culture of war and violence to a culture of peace;

NOW, THEREFORE., I, FIDEL V. RAMOS,

President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby declare every November 16 as the International Day for Tolerance.

The Department of Education, Culture and Sports will provide directions for programs and activities that will highlight the celebration of the International Day for Tolerance.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF,

I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

DONE

in the City of Manila, this 31

^st

day of October in the year of Our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Six.

(Sgd.)

FIDEL V. RAMOS

By the President:

(Sgd.)

RUBEN D. TORRES