A/HRC/42/23 I. Introduction A. Definition of human rights education 1. The international community has increasingly expressed consensus on the fundamental contribution of human rights education to the realization of human rights and on developing a common understanding of every person’s responsibility in this regard. It is recognized that human rights education contributes to the prevention of violence and conflicts, the promotion of equality and sustainable development and participation in decision-making processes within democratic systems. 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 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Convention against Discrimination in Education (art. 5); 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 International Labour Organization Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989 (No. 169) (arts. 30 and 31); 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 the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Education and Training. 1 The Declaration states that human rights education and training provides persons with knowledge, skills and understanding and develops their attitudes and behaviours to empower them to contribute to the building and promotion of a universal culture of human rights (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, the private sector and other relevant stakeholders” (art. 7). The UNESCO Recommendation concerning Education for International Understanding, Co-operation and Peace and Education relating to Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (1974) preceded the United Nations Declaration as a global instrument dedicated specifically to human rights education. 4. In accordance with the above instruments, which contain elements of a definition of human rights education agreed upon by the international community, human rights education includes any learning, education, training or information efforts aimed at building a universal culture of human rights. 5. Human rights education is a lifelong process that fosters: (a) Knowledge and skills: learning about human rights and acquiring skills to exercise them in daily life; (b) Attitudes: developing or reinforcing attitudes, values and beliefs that uphold human rights; (c) 1 Behaviour: taking action to defend and promote human rights. Resolution 66/137, annex. 3