Part I Introduction to human rights education 2.2. WHY DO HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION? Human rights education is both a means to achieving the protection of human rights as well as a right in itself. United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, 1996 2.2.1. The international human rights instruments The Universal Declaration of Human Rights acknowledges the critical role of human rights education. It states in its preamble that “every individual and every organ of society … shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance”. The purpose of human rights education is also articulated in article 1 of the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Education and Training: 1. Everyone has the right to know, seek and receive information about all human rights and fundamental freedoms and should have access to human rights education and training. 2. Human rights education and training is essential for the promotion of universal respect for and observance of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, in accordance with the principles of the universality, indivisibility and interdependence of human rights. Human rights education aims to develop an understanding of everyone’s common responsibility to make human rights a reality in each community and in the society at large. In this sense, it contributes to the long-term prevention of human rights abuses and violent conflicts, the promotion of equality and sustainable development and the enhancement of participation in decision-making processes within a democratic system.44 2.2.2. Goals of human rights education Human beings need to understand their experiences in order to take control of their actions and circumstances. Human rights education aims to develop essential human rights knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours that enable and motivate individuals, groups, communities and nations to contribute to making human rights a reality for all. Human rights education has three goals. It aims to provide experiences where people learn about human rights, learn through human rights and learn for human rights.45 Learning about human rights encourages the understanding and application of human rights norms, principles, values and mechanisms. It aims at ensuring that people know about the history and structures of the international human rights system, treaties and declarations. It also encourages an understanding about how human rights relate to their own worlds and it assists them to make connections between their own lives and the lives of others, particularly those affected by human rights violations. Learning about human rights promotes understanding of, and the practice of, human rights values. Learning through human rights means ensuring that the way in which human rights education occurs is in keeping with human rights principles and standards. This could include: the way that people taking part in the education activity behave toward each other; the nature of the education environment; the processes and tools that are used for the education activity; its accessibility; and its appropriateness to its context. 44 Definition adapted from the draft plan of action for the second phase (2010–2014) of the World Programme for Human Rights Education (A/HRC/15/28; para. 1). The plan of action was adopted by the United Nations Human Rights Council on 30 September 2010 (resolution 15/11). 45 United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Education and Training; article 2.2. Chapter 2: Human rights education: An overview | 13