Xlll PROMOTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS LITERACY AND AWARENESS A key statutory function assigned to the Commission relates to the spread of human rights literacy among various sections of society and the promotion of awareness of the safeguards available for the protection of these rights through publications, the media, seminars 13.1 and other available means. In furtherance of this complex responsibility, the Commission took a number of steps during the period under review to spread the message of human rights through the country. A summary of these efforts is provided below. 13.2 OBSERVANCE OFTHE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OFTHE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RWHTS (A) 13.3 The observance of the 50th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights (UDHR) commenced from 10 December, 1997. The Government of India constituted a national e The committee, which received committee for the purpose, headed by the Union ~ o & Minister. ideas from the Commission, drew up a plan of action for enhancing human rights awareness and promoting human rights education. The year-long programme culminated in a function organized by the Cornmlssion on 10 December, 1998. To mark the occasion, the Commission published the Declaration in 14 Indian languages and printed two specially designed posters. A painting competition was also held in which some 150 children participated. The Central themes were the Rights of Children, the Duties of Children and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. (B) MOBlLlSlNGTHE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM In order to promote a deeper understanding of human rights among school-going children in the country, the Commission has bean deeply involved with efforts that it has encouraged of the Human Resource Development Ministry, the NCERT, NCTE. A full account of these efforts is contained in earlier annual reports of the Commission, In addition, the Commission has sought every occasion to benefit from and encourage the efforts of many non-governmental organizations that have been doing remarkable work in this field. 13.4 During the year under review, there were significant gains in respect of human rights 13.5 education at the university level as well. The University Grants Commission, at the instance of the National Human Rights Commission, constituted a Standing Committee on human rights education at the university level. By March 1999, the Univarsities of Bombay, Burdwan, Cochin, Dumka, Guwahati, Lucknow, Pune, Punjab, Tirupati, Utkal, Varanasi, Andhra University at Waltair, Punjab University (Chandigarh), Jammu University, Banaras Hindu University, Oelhi University, Rajasthan University (Jaipur), Karnataka University, Kurukshetra University, Manipur