A/HRC/35/6 development of related indicators, to assess the impact of human rights education programmes and improve accountability and effectiveness. B. Role of human rights education in tackling current global challenges 28. Many delegates pointed to the role of human rights education in tackling global challenges, including discrimination, violent extremism and conflict. Recent events, such as the movement of migrants and refugees, highlighted the value and relevance of the Declaration, and human rights education could be an integral solution to many human rights challenges facing humankind today. In particular, several delegates highlighted the role of human rights education in protecting groups in situations of vulnerability, including migrants and refugees, and stressed the need for human rights education to be made available to those most at risk, including migrants, refugees and particularly children and youth who were affected by conflict and natural disasters. For example, in response to the unprecedented movement of half a million migrants and refugees through Slovenia, in 2015, some 40,000 children in Slovenia received education on the rights of refugee children. 29. Several delegates emphasized the contribution of human rights education to the prevention of radicalization and violent extremism. Human rights education did not only teach about human rights instruments and their content, but it made people aware of how to promote, defend and apply human rights in their lives and in their interactions with others. Therefore, people who understood, appreciated and respected human rights were more likely to find peaceful solutions to an ongoing or potential conflict. In that regard, human rights education promoted tolerance, inclusion, participation and mutual acceptance, and hence reinforced understanding of the diversity of human societies. Moreover, human rights education fostered a culture of human rights and developed more inclusive, tolerant and peaceful societies, thus ultimately contributing to the promotion of global peace and security. 30. Some delegates highlighted specific national and regional initiatives to integrate human rights education in efforts to prevent violent extremism. For example, Switzerland adopted a Foreign Policy Action Plan for the Prevention of Violent Extremism, which is based on the recommendations of the Secretary-General’s Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism and contains action points for human rights education and training. The European Union included human rights education in its Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy (2015-2019) with the aim of ensuring a comprehensive human rights approach to conflicts and crises. It would be willing to offer assistance to further that approach beyond the Union. 31. Several delegates mentioned that human rights training for media professionals and journalists played an important role in addressing the problem of radicalization. Media professionals could contribute to positively influencing youth who were at risk of being radicalized, especially in the light of the fact that the Internet and digital technologies were often used in the radicalization of youth. Not only should youth be taught about human rights principles, but they also needed to build their capacities to recognize manipulation. The private sector could play an important role in educating youth and in training media professionals. C. Role of human rights education in achieving sustainable development 32. A large number of delegates considered the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development a positive step towards the promotion and protection of all human rights, as it recognized the catalytic role of human rights education in achieving all of the Sustainable Development Goals. Target 4.7, in particular, aims to ensure inclusive and equitable education and promote lifelong learning for all, highlighting the need for all students to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development. The adoption of the 2030 Agenda and, in particular, target 4.7, would further provide momentum for the implementation of the World Programme for Human Rights Education. 7

Select target paragraph3

Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents