The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples A Manual for National Human Rights Institutions 185 International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Article 13 1. The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize the right of everyone to education. They agree that education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and the sense of its dignity, and shall strengthen the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. They further agree that education shall enable all persons to participate effectively in a free society, promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations and all racial, ethnic or religious groups, and further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace. Paris Principles Competence and responsibilities 3. A national institution shall, inter alia, have the following responsibilities: (f) Assist in the formulation of programmes for the teaching of, and research into, human rights and to take part in their execution in schools, universities and professional circles (g) Publicize human rights and efforts to combat all forms of discrimination, in particular racial discrimination, by increasing public awareness, especially through information and education and by making use of all press organs. Methods of operation Within the framework of its operation, the national institution shall: (c) Address public opinion directly or through any press organ, particularly in order to publicize its opinions and recommendations. General comment No. 17, Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination 1. Recommends that States parties establish national commissions or other appropriate bodies, taking into account, mutatis mutandis, the principles relating to the status of national institutions annexed to Commission on Human Rights resolution 1992/54 of 3 March 1992, to serve, inter alia, the following purposes: (a) To promote respect for the enjoyment of human rights without any discrimination, as expressly set out in article 5 of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.185 In order to enjoy their rights, people need to be aware of them and understand how to exercise them. Public awareness and education programmes are essential in this regard. In recognition of this, the international human rights system places obligations on States to promote awareness of, and education on, human rights standards.186 These obligations extend directly to promotional and education activities on the Declaration and in relation to indigenous peoples’ human rights issues. For example, the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples made the following recommendation to the Government of Brazil: In partnership with indigenous peoples, and with the support of the United Nations … develop and implement a national campaign of education on indigenous issues and respect for diversity, highlighting ILO Convention No. 169 and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Government’s commitment to these instruments. This campaign 185 Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, general recommendation No. 17 (1993) on the establishment of national institutions to facilitate implementation of the Convention. 186 See, for example, article 13 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. 58 | Chapter 7: Awareness raising and education