“Tolerance is a fundamental pillar for democratic coexistence in Venezuela”
The director of the Civil Association Building Values for Coexistence, Esluve Sosa, highlighted the importance of work on tolerance as a key element to promote peace and democracy in Venezuelan society regarding the International Day of Tolerance, which is celebrated every November 16, during his participation in the Social Thermometer program, broadcast by Radio Fe y Alegría 1390 AMhosted by Pablo Zambrano and Juan Luis Sosa.
Sosa, lawyer and internationalist specialized in human rights and democratic coexistence, affirmed that tolerance should be seen as a conscious act of reflection and not as an inherent characteristic of the human being. “We are not tolerant by nature. Tolerance requires education and a deep understanding of the other, accepting that they can think differently.”.
In his speech, he recalled that the United Nations Declaration on Tolerance establishes this principle not only as a human right, but also as a recognition of all other fundamental rights. Furthermore, he highlighted that tolerance is closely related to empathy: “It is not just listening, it is understanding what the other person says, even if it is different from what you believe.”
In the context of political and social polarization in Venezuela, Sosa insisted that Education in values and tolerance is an urgent task. “In the communities where we work, we see that by understanding the concept, people understand that tolerance is more necessary than ever.”
Esluve Sosa directs the organization Building Values for Coexistence, focused on promoting tolerance through workshops and activities in Venezuelan communities. With a background in constitutional law and human rights, he has dedicated his career to strengthening the principles of democratic coexistence in a country that faces deep social and political divisions.
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