The High Commissioner for Human Rights initiated in August 2000 the Visionary Declaration, entitled
“Tolerance and Diversity: A Vision for the 21st Century? This effort was launched in New York on
5 September 2000 during the United Nations Millennium Assembly by President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa.
Former South African President Nelson Mandela is the Patron of the Visionary Declaration. This is not
the conference outcome document. For the final version of the Conference outcome document click on
Conference Coverage below.