Turkish global children’s festival fosters mutual respect and tolerance – Annan

Exposing youngsters to different cultures early in life increases the likelihood they will develop the mutual respect and tolerance critical in an interdependent world, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan said today in a message to a children’s festival in Turkey.

“By bringing people together, by celebrating the diversity of their talents and identities, and by doing so in a spirit of friendship, peace and solidarity, this festival faithfully reflects the ideals of the United Nations,” Mr. Annan said in the message to the 25th International Children’s Festival, delivered on his behalf by Jakob Simonsen, UN Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Coordinator.

The Turkish Radio and Television Corporation started the children’s festival in 1979 when it began inviting children from around the world to Turkey in an effort to promote mutual understanding of different cultures.

“Such efforts are valuable at any age, but especially so for children. Exposed to each others’ cultures early in life, they are more likely to develop the mutual respect and tolerance that are so important in an age of interdependence among peoples and nations,” the Secretary-General stated.

Two years ago, the Secretary-General’s wife, Nane, participated in the launch of the “Say yes for Children” campaign in Turkey, part of that year’s celebration in Istanbul of International Children’s Day.