(x)
the nature and scope of the obligation of the State, within the context of the right
to education, to ensure the realisation of the right to human rights education for
all.
Summary
•
One of the dual aims of education is the strengthening of respect for human rights and
fundamental freedoms.
•
Human rights education should strengthen the commitment to the furtherance of human
rights and be directed at enabling all persons to participate effectively in society and to
protect themselves and others from human rights violations.
•
Human rights education should involve more than the provision of information and
should constitute a life-long process by which all people learn respect for the dignity of
others.
•
The human rights education of children should start with the reflection of the human
values in the daily life of children as well as their communities and their families.
Discussion
Dual aims of education
As discussed under term of reference (i), education is directed to the dual purposes of the full
development of the human personality and the strengthening of respect for human rights and
fundamental freedoms.411 Human rights education is a means of affirming the values and
vision established in international human rights documents. Accordingly, the aims of the
right to education and the goals of human rights education are sometimes articulated
similarly.
Sources of human rights education
The State has the responsibility to promote and facilitate the teaching of human rights and
fundamental freedoms at all levels of education.412 One of the most comprehensive sources
outlining human rights education is the Vienna Declaration from the 1993 World Conference
411
UDHR, article 26(2); ICESCR, article 13(1); CRC, article 29(1); CADE, article 5(1). See term of
reference (i) for a discussion of the first purpose, namely development of the human personality.
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