Human Rights Education A Manual for National Human Rights Institutions Chapter 2: Human rights education: An overview 21 KEY QUESTIONS • What is human rights education? • How does the international human rights framework include human rights education? • What is the purpose of human rights education? • Who is human rights education directed towards? Based on the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and relevant treaties and instruments, human rights education and training aims to: (a) raise awareness, understanding and acceptance of universal human rights standards and principles, as well as guarantees at the international, regional and national levels for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms; (b) develop a universal culture of human rights, in which everyone is aware of their own rights and responsibilities in respect of the rights of others, and promoting the development of the individual as a responsible member of a free, peaceful, pluralist and inclusive society; (c) pursue the effective realization of all human rights and promoting tolerance, non-discrimination and equality; (d) ensure equal opportunities for all through access to quality human rights education and training, without any discrimination; (e) contribute to the prevention of human rights violations and abuses and to the combating and eradication of all forms of discrimination, racism, stereotyping and incitement to hatred, and the harmful attitudes and prejudices that underlie them.21 2.1. WHAT IS HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION?22 2.1.1. Human rights education and the international human rights framework The obligations on States to recognize, respect, protect, promote and fulfil human rights are mandated across the broad range of international human rights treaties. Human rights education is an essential tool for meeting these obligations. The preamble to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that “every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms.” 8 21 United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Education and Training; article 4. 22 APF (2015) What is human rights education?. Available online at www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8RMOxHpVcM&t=3s (5.41).