PEACE is not merely the absence of war. It is much more than that since peace means harmony. More people from different nations, cultures, religions and lifestyles are working together and living in the same neighborhoods than ever before. Tolerance of each other’s’ differences is a very important key to keeping peace among co-workers and neighbors.

As the time advances, countries with inclusive and accountable governments and fair and predictable legal systems have delivered infinitely more on the promise of development. And it’s not just a question of aggregate, long-term progress. Indeed, social progress taken in aggregate does not necessarily mean inclusive and sustainable development. Without specific attention to political and legal inclusion, it will be impossible to realize the aspirations of the sustainable development to end the tyranny of poverty and protect our planet for future generations. At this time, peace and tolerance is the key to ensuring that progress and prosperity are widely shared, and that those most in need can claim and exercise their rights as global citizens.

Taken together, justice, rule of law and accountable and inclusive institutions are the linchpin of shared social progress and our ability to realize human flourishing. The success of all the UN declared Sustainable Development Goals rests on ensuring that the full potential of UN declared Goal 16 – Peace and Justice to catalyze social transformation is unlocked.

To contribute in achieving this, envisioning a violence free society fostering peace and harmony has appeared as the first and foremost priority. It has turned out one of the foremost duty of us to clearly inculcate every individual in the way of exploring their own respective faiths in peace building.

With the learning from the experience, it has been clearly stated that tolerance needs to be cultivated inclusively and spontaneously from individual to group and gradually to community. When the space for promotion and practice through self-criticism is enabled, the resilient community will be able to endure opponents’ provocative behavior and response with calm and re-assessing attitude. Resilience, the positive cycle of endurance and resistance against extremism led conflict and violence needs to be developed spontaneously within the community to get rid of this alarming threat.

Rupantar has been executing a total of 4 projects in 5 Districts (Khulna, Satkhira, Rajshahi, Dhaka, & Chapai-Nawabganj) to achieve the above objective with the grant support of GCERF & USAID’s Obirodh- Road to Tolerance Program.