OSCE Chairmanship Conference in Berlin explores ways to promote tolerance and diversity and calls for joint action in the OSCE area

BERLIN, 20 October 2016 – Over 350 representatives of OSCE participating States, Asian and Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation, and civil society from the entire OSCE region, as well as international and regional actors, met in Berlin today at the invitation of the German OSCE Chairmanship 2016 to discuss ways to promote diversity, non-discrimination and tolerance against the backdrop of growing intolerance in our societies.

In his opening speech, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said: “How to promote tolerance and diversity, but also how to handle growing intolerance, are questions that concern all of us in the OSCE area – from Vancouver to Berlin and further to Vladivostok.” Steinmeier stressed that both in our societies and in international affairs tolerance should not be misunderstood as mere endurance or disinterest. “We need to make a special effort to communicate with people whose opinions we do not share. As OSCE participating States, it is right to call for tolerance between us. But at the same time, we must not tolerate actions and attitudes that compromise our common principles and threaten our common order.” Steinmeier underlined that it is only possible to promote tolerance and define its limits on the basis of firm principles.

Daniel Barenboim, General Music Director of the Staatsoper Berlin and Staatskapelle Berlin, presented his West-Eastern-Divan Orchestra as an example where diversity is put into practice day by day. In his opening speech, Barenboim stressed that “music makes it possible to think, feel and express different thoughts and emotions simultaneously. Music never only cries or smiles, but makes both possible at once. It is a constant, simultaneous conversation between apparent opposites who can exist peacefully side by side in constant dialogue.”

The central role of dialogue and endeavours to foster tolerance in open societies were also the focus of a “food-for-thought” address by actor and writer Renan Demirkan, who said: “Democracy is discourse, freedom, a process, doubt, participation and solidarity.” Describing herself as a “committed cosmopolitan”, Demirkan expressed her conviction that there were no peaceful alternatives to open borders and the freedom of cultures.

The Conference on Tolerance and Diversity aimed to promote openness to diversity and to explore ways to improve the ability of modern democratic societies to adjust to new circumstances. Various high-level panels discussed the role of non-discrimination and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms as a basis for tolerance. Panellists presented and assessed measures to promote social cohesion, as well as possible and necessary contributions by governments, public institutions, civil society and citizens. A special focus was put on education on tolerance and diversity and on the fight against hate speech.

Michael Georg Link, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), participated in the conference’s opening panel discussion: “Despite some progress, we are facing many challenges when it comes to issues of discrimination on the basis of race, religion, gender, national origin, sexual orientation and other characteristics,” Link said. “Current data indicates a rise in the number of hate crimes in some parts of the OSCE region. Hate crime is not only an extreme negation of human rights, but also a rejection of the principles of a democratic and diverse society. Promoting democracy and diversity and combating intolerance are obligations for all actors in society and commitments given by all OSCE participating States.”

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Dunja Mijatović, stressed the critical role that freedom of expression and media freedom play in promoting equality and in combating intolerance.“ Media, the Internet and other digital technologies play an essential role in keeping society informed, and to provide avenues for counter-speech,” Mijatović said in a panel debate on countering hate speech and combating discrimination on the Internet. “Freedom of expression should be looked upon as a tool and a possibility to counter hate speech and extremist narrative, and not as a hindrance.”