Internationally-renowned Global Council for Tolerance and Peace continues to promote a spirit of tolerance, harmony, and peaceful cohabitation among people

“We are developing awareness about causes of violence and intolerance within a spirit of cooperation and peace.”

Nations across the world strive for security, peace, stability, and happiness for everyone, regardless of race, gender, origin, religion, or belief. The international community has seen a continuous growth in worldwide and regional hostilities that have broken out over the previous decades and claimed millions of lives all over the world, despite efforts to prevent these incidents. The use of violence or military action is not the solution to resolve these growing issues and create a true and lasting peace for humanity. The best course of action is to foster a climate of tolerance among people and nations and to implement the soft power strategy that some nations have recognized and valued.

The idea of the Global Council for Tolerance and Peace (GCTP) was established to achieve these objectives. Nine global leaders from around the world established the Global Council for Tolerance and Peace in 2017 and elected H.E. Ahmed Al Jarwan as its president. The Maltese government has granted it benefits and immunities in exchange for housing its headquarters there.

The Silicon Review reached out to H.E. Ahmed Bin Mohammed Al Jarwan, founder and president of the Global Council for Tolerance and Peace, and here’s what he had to say.

Interview Highlights

Q. As an international platform dedicated to tolerance and spreading peace and noble human objectives, what are GCTP’S key focus areas?

The Global Council for Tolerance and Peace aims to 1) promote the value of tolerance and a culture of peace, 2) fight against discrimination, religious sectarianism, ethnocentrism, and sectarian bigotry among human beings, and 3) develop the norms of international law to strengthen the principles of tolerance for achieving peace.

Moreover, GCTP takes into account the following principles: Respect for the United Nations principles and support of the achievement of its objectives, respect for the rules of international law relevant to the work of non-governmental organizations, respect for the national laws of the states where the duties of the council are exercised and the empowerment of women, youth, and persons with disabilities and enabling them to play effective roles at the national and international levels.

Q. Tell us about the GCTP team. What value do they bring to the organization?

Our team is made up of world-renowned experts in various fields, including scientists, academicians, media anchors, lawyers, inventors, strategists, project managers, diplomats, peacebuilders, lawmakers, and tolerance advocates. Each of them possesses unique talents and competencies and plays an important part in attaining the council's objectives. They all believe in the council's objective and are dedicated to promoting peace and tolerance around the world. We are one team, working together to promote tolerance and peace in the globe for a brighter future.

Q. What new endeavors is GCTP currently undertaking?

We, at GCTP, are 1) developing awareness about causes of violence and intolerance within a spirit of cooperation and peace, 2) promoting education based on tolerance and respect through our master’s program in tolerance studies and global peace, 3) encouraging the practice of tolerance to maintaining peace, justice, and respect for human rights, through best practices and success stories that we are sharing through our series of books that we are publishing, 4) expanding our network and collaborations through our international parliament for tolerance and peace to reach more than 150 state members, and our general assembly to reach more than 100 academic institutions, NGOs, and individuals, 4) promoting dialogue between different cultures and communities in both regions. This includes supporting initiatives that bring people together to discuss common challenges and opportunities, 5) supporting education to promote tolerance and understanding between different cultures. This includes supporting programs that teach young people about different cultures and histories, 6) encouraging negotiation and communication to help build understanding and empathy, 7) condemning violence including terrorism, that seeks to divide communities and promote hatred. We support efforts to prevent violent extremism through inclusive development, education, intercultural dialogue, and social cohesion, 8) celebrating the diversity of cultures, recognizing that it is our differences that make us stronger. We support efforts to promote cultural diversity as a source of enrichment for all societies, 9) upholding human rights as a common standard for all nations. We support efforts to promote and protect human rights, including the rights of minorities and vulnerable groups, and 10) developing new tools in the international law of peacebuilding to help build sustainable peace around the world, using technology such as Artificial intelligence.

Q. What's the one thing you want GCTP to be known for?

We promote, evolve, act, cooperate, and endure for peacebuilding, advocating tolerance, and building a better and sustainable future for the new generations to come.

Tell us, what’s next for GCTP.

We will continue to promote the values of tolerance and peace. As we recognize the importance of clerics, GCTP is forming a group of religious leaders, who will foster the culture of tolerance and peace in the world.

About | Ahmed Bin Mohammed Al Jarwan

Raised on the teachings of peaceful co-existence, Ahmed Bin Mohammed Al Jarwan is the President and Founder of the Global Council for Tolerance and Peace in Malta since 2017, president of the Arab Experts Union since 2018, President of the Executive Office of Arab Federations’ Forum since 2021 and President of the Fundación for Islamic Culture and Religious Tolerance since 2022.

Mr. Al Jarwan is an outstanding professional, influencer, and world changer. For several years he has been among the most visible proponents in promoting tolerance and peace in the Arab region and then in the world, as a president of the Arab Parliament for two consecutive terms (2012-2016), and as the president of the Global Council for Tolerance and Peace.

Mr. Al Jarwan is a person of fortitude and candor, displaying a spirit of intercultural awareness, bridging the divergence among countries with varied political agendas. He played very vital roles in tolerance, peace, and relationship with the United Nations, UNESCO, and the Arab League. He was a key player and essential participant in all activities of international organizations and national and international parliamentarians’ meetings, receiving great recognition from dignitaries worldwide. He was earlier a member of the Federal National Council of the UAE from 2011 to 2018, a member of the board of directors of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry from 2008 to 2012, and founder and manager of Sharjah Old Cars Club and Museum from 2007 to 2012. He joined the UAE Armed Forces and retired with the rank of Colonel, Engineer Staff, receiving the Military Service Medal. He also served as the deputy Military Attaché of the UAE Embassy in Washington, D.C., and London.

Mr. Al Jarwan attended the Military Technical College in Egypt, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering and then he earned a master’s degree in mechanical and aeronautical techniques from Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris 6, in France. He completed coursework in international affairs at Tufts University. In 2018, he received an MA in political science from Hague University in the Netherlands, as well as an honorary doctorate.

“We promote, evolve, act, cooperate, and endure for peacebuilding, advocating tolerance, and building a better and sustainable future for the new generations to come.”