A/HRC/42/23 expressed their commitment to develop educational programmes for youth as agents of positive change in the prevention of crime, focusing on the protection of human rights and the rule of law. 11 In its resolution 2250 (2015), the Security Council, affirming the important role that youth can play in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, urged Member States to support, as appropriate, quality education for peace that equips youth with the ability to engage constructively in civic structures and inclusive political processes. In his Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism, the Secretary-General encourages “teaching respect for human rights and diversity, fostering critical thinking … and developing the behavioural and socioemotional skills that can contribute to peaceful coexistence and tolerance” as elements of related national plans of action. 12 The United Nations Youth Strategy, Youth 2030: Working With and For Young People, launched by the Secretary-General in 2018, commits the United Nations to increase efforts to promote human rights education and training for youth, as well as global citizenship and sustainable development education, without discrimination, to foster civic awareness and participation, volunteerism and a culture of peace and non-violence among young people.13 20. Youth empowerment is a priority commitment of States at the regional level. The African Union African Youth Charter (2006) and the African Youth Decade (2009–2018) Plan of Action support the development of national and regional plans of action for youth empowerment and participation and provide a framework for coordinated action in Africa. The Ibero-American Convention on the Rights of Youth (2005) recognizes young people as subjects of rights and strategic development actors, guarantees their social and political participation and supports the adoption of related programmes and policies. States in Latin America and the Caribbean adopted the Montevideo Consensus on Population and Development (2013), guaranteeing “participation, without any form of discrimination, of adolescents and young people in public debate, in decision-making and in all policy and programme phases, in particular on matters that affect them directly” and strategies “to provide education from early childhood that promotes tolerance, an appreciation for diversity, mutual respect and respect for human rights, conflict resolution and peace”. The adoption of the Youth Development Index (2017) by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations marked its commitment to pay greater attention to youth in the region and invest accordingly. The Council of Europe Agenda 2020 adopted by the youth ministers and its draft Youth Strategy 2030 associate human rights education to the core principles and priorities of youth policy, notably regarding young people’s access to rights. The Council of Europe Charter on Education for Democratic Citizenship and Human Rights Education (2010) recognizes a specific role for youth, especially in non-formal education, as important actors for human rights education. The European Union Youth Strategy (2019– 2027) promotes youth empowerment, inclusion and participation in democratic life. 21. The above-mentioned documents and frameworks recognize that youth are rights holders and key actors in realizing human rights, achieving sustainable development, securing peace and preventing violence and conflict. The inclusive participation of young people in shaping and implementing policies that affect them, or will in the future, is essential. Human rights education empowers young people to understand, recognize and fulfil their role as active citizens,14 to take action and uphold their human rights and those of others and to participate accordingly in public affairs and democratic decision-making processes. Human rights education is key to young people’s empowerment, development and engagement towards a peaceful, just and sustainable world. C. Specific objectives 22. Taking into consideration the overall objectives of the World Programme, the present plan of action aims to achieve the following specific objectives: 11 12 13 14 General Assembly resolution 70/174, annex, para. 10. A/70/674, para. 54. The fourth priority of the Strategy is “Youth and human rights”. Committee on the Rights of the Child, general comment No. 20 (2016) on the implementation of the rights of the child during adolescence, para. 24. 7