Part I Introduction to human rights education Human Rights Centre, University of Minnesota: Human rights education is a process of acquiring relevant knowledge, skills and values for knowing, asserting and vindicating one’s rights based on international human rights norms. This definition implies that human rights are empowerment tools … By encouraging the development of competencies and capabilities, [human rights education] can expand the meaning of what it is to be human. Thus, education can and should be an empowering process, one that enables those who have been marginalized in the economic, social, political and cultural spheres to claim their status as full participating members of a community.42 World Programme for Human Rights Education – Third Action Plan (2015–2019): Human rights education can be defined as education, training and information aimed at building a universal culture of human rights. Effective human rights education not only provides knowledge about human rights and the mechanisms that protect them, but also develops the skills needed to promote, defend and apply human rights in daily life. Human rights education also fosters the attitudes and behaviours needed to uphold human rights for all members of society.43 The National Human Rights Commission of Nepal has developed a structured course of instruction to support human rights defenders working at the grassroots level in Nepal. The three-part programme, delivered over five days, introduces human rights defenders to: • foundational human rights issues, as well as the national and international system for promoting and protecting human rights • the rights of specific vulnerable groups in Nepal, including women, children and minority groups • human rights issues “on the ground”, through field visits to prisons, detention centres, children’s homes and other places. The course also discusses the role and functions of human rights defenders, human rights protection mechanisms, human rights dialogue and advocacy and a human rights-based approach to development. In addition, participants develop skills in report-writing to assist them document human rights violations. A training course conducted by the Commission brought together 26 human rights defenders from 11 districts across Nepal, representing a broad range of NGOs and civil society organizations. More information is available online at www.asiapacificforum.net/news/nepalnhrc-develops-new-training-course-for-human-rights-defenders. 2.1.3. Forms of human rights education Human rights education is a lifelong process that involves all ages and levels. It includes all forms of education, training and learning. It can take place in all settings: public or private, formal, non-formal or informal. • Formal education extends from early childhood education, through primary and secondary school to tertiary education. It is generally curriculum-based and includes general academic studies and technical and professional training. 42 “Module 20: Education for Empowerment. Available online at www1.umn.edu/humanrts/edumat/IHRIP/circle/modules/module20. htm. 43 Available online at https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G14/099/55/PDF/G1409955.pdf?OpenElement. Chapter 2: Human rights education: An overview | 11