A/HRC/27/28 I. Introduction A. Context and definition of human rights education 1. The international community has increasingly demonstrated consensus regarding the fundamental contribution of human rights education to the realization of human rights. Human rights education is aimed at developing an understanding of our common responsibility to make human rights a reality in every community and in society at large. In that 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. 2. Provisions on human rights education have been incorporated into many international instruments and documents, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (art. 26); the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (art. 7); the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (art. 13); the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (art. 10); the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (art. 10); the Convention on the Rights of the Child (art. 29); the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (art. 33); the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (arts. 4 and 8); the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action (Part I, paras. 33–34; Part II, paras. 78–82); the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (paras. 7.3 and 7.37); the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (Declaration, paras. 95–97; Programme of Action, paras. 129– 139) and the outcome document of the Durban Review Conference (paras. 22 and 107); and the 2005 World Summit Outcome (para. 131). 3. In December 2011, the General Assembly adopted, without a vote, the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Education and Training. The Declaration states that human rights education provides persons with knowledge and skills and develops their attitudes and behaviours so as to empower them to enjoy and exercise their rights, and to respect and uphold the rights of others (art. 2). It affirms that States, and where applicable relevant governmental authorities, have the primary responsibility to promote and ensure human rights education and training, and that States should create a safe and enabling environment for the engagement of civil society and other relevant stakeholders in those processes (art. 7). 4. In accordance with those instruments, which contain elements of a definition of human rights education agreed upon by the international community, human rights education can be defined as any learning, education, training or information efforts aimed at building a universal culture of human rights, including: (a) Strengthening respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms; (b) Fully developing the human personality and sense of dignity; (c) Promoting understanding, tolerance, respect for diversity, gender equality and friendship among all nations, indigenous peoples and minorities; (d) Enabling all persons to participate effectively in a free and democratic society governed by the rule of law; (e) Building and maintaining peace; (f) Promoting people-centred sustainable development and social justice. 3