In the world, November 16 is celebrated as the International Day of Tolerance, which was declared by the General Assembly of the United Nations after the UNESCO member states adopted the Declaration on the Principles of Tolerance on November 16, 1995.

The declaration confirms that tolerance it is neither giving in nor indifference, but respecting and appreciating the rich diversity of cultures of our world, our forms of expression and the way in which we can be human.

Tolerance is the recognition of the universality of human rights and fundamental freedoms of all people. It is based on knowledge, openness, communication and freedom of thought, conscience and conviction and represents harmony in diversity. Tolerance is openness towards oneself and others, acceptance of oneself and others in all their differences and the meeting of these differences within the society in which we live. In a world of diversity, tolerance is a prerequisite for peace. The future needs tolerance!

On this occasion, as part of the project "NO to violence - YES to toleranceSDDH conducted education and a workshop for students of the 3rd grade of the Fran Galović Elementary School in Zagreb.

According to their well-established custom of welcoming guests, the students and the teacher warmly greeted the lyrics of the song "Let's be friends" with an appropriate movement choreography, they welcomed the SDDH team, president Marica Mirić and psychologist Dragana Budimir, who visited them on the occasion of celebrating the International Day of Tolerance. Teacher Sanja and the students of 3rd A introduced the topic by jointly reflecting on what it means to be tolerant, how we show tolerance, how much and in which everyday situations tolerance is needed, etc., and then the SDDH psychologist conducted an education on diversity, tolerance, children's and human rights and prevention of peer violence.

The students looked educational animated whiteboard SDDH video on tolerance of diversity and prevention of peer violence which, through the story of Julija and Jan, outlines the problems of peer violence, the consequences it leaves behind, as well as ways of fighting and coping, and conveys a strong message that peer violence can be stopped by allied forces. Workshop "Diversity and tolerance – two flowers in the same garden"the goal was to develop students' awareness of differences and encourage acceptance and contribute to the creation of better cohesion in the class. By giving the flower a little color and creating a common garden, the students discovered and emphasized the importance of friendship, sincere mutual relations, respect and appreciation of diversity, understanding, forgiveness and tolerance, and came to the conclusion that every flower is a flower and that each requires care.

Some a little more light and more frequent watering, and some a little less. It is the same with people, with children. All students in the class have a need to study, but some children will need more time to study, and some less. They all have in common that they are children, that they want to learn and that they love and respect differences. Giving their review of the education and workshop, the students confirmed that tolerance in 3.A has a future!

SDDH President Marica Mirić presented a children's comic book to class 3.A and for the library of Fran Galović Primary School. "Adventures of SamostAlna Ada" about the experiences of living, treatment and successes in the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) that illustrates the life of a girl with SMA, and uses her imagination to make the world an adventurous and magical place that is full of possibilities and thus promotes inclusion. 

At the end, the students were given pink balloons and pink T-shirts with the message "STOP PEER VIOLENCE" so that on the last Wednesday in February 2024, they could also mark the National Day of Combating Peer Violence - Pink T-Shirt Day.

The project "NO TO VIOLENCE - YES TO TOLERANCE" was financed from the budget of the City of Zagreb, and approved within the framework of the Public tender for financing programs and projects of associations in the field of social and humanitarian importance for improving the quality of life of persons with disabilities from the Budget of the City of Zagreb for 2023.

For many years, SDDH has been implementing numerous projects and programs in the field of prevention of violence against and among children and young people, with the synergistic action of state and public institutions and civil society organizations.