A/HRC/16/37 I. Introduction 1. The present report is submitted in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 12/21, in which the Council requested the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to convene, in 2010, a workshop for an exchange of views on how a better understanding of traditional values of humankind underpinning international human rights norms and standards can contribute to the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, with the participation of representatives from all interested States, regional organizations, national human rights institutions and civil society, as well as experts selected with due consideration given to the appropriate representation of different civilizations and legal systems and to present to the Council a summary of the discussions held at the workshop in conformity with the programme of work of the Council. II. Workshop 2. The workshop was organized by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in consultation with Member States, a range of experts and representatives of civil society. The organization of the workshop benefited from a generous financial contribution from the Russian Federation. 3. The workshop was held on 4 October 2010, in the Palais des Nations, Geneva. Translation was provided in the six official languages of the United Nations in order to facilitate a broader discussion. The workshop agenda consisted of five panels: an introductory panel framing the discussion; a panel focusing on human dignity and equality as values underpinning international human rights norms; a panel devoted to the relationship between rights and responsibilities; a panel where opportunities and challenges were discussed; and a panel with concluding remarks. The workshop was well attended by State representatives, members of other United Nations agencies, non–governmental organizations, academics and experts. A. Framing the issue 4. The workshop and introductory panel were opened by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. The High Commissioner made reference to her own experiences of cultural diversity as a South African woman of Asian descent, and having embarked on a professional career that started nationally and took her to the international arena. Cultural diversity had showed her many human similarities: the fundamental, irreducible and universal values that transcend geography and know no barriers of culture or gender, class or language. These were the values that underpin human rights. Some of these values, familiar to all peoples, include the desire for liberty, dignity and freedom from fear and want, and form the basis of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Declaration reflected the views of men and women from cultures and traditions across the world. 5. According to the High Commissioner, tradition is a complex notion. No society, regardless of its geographic location or level of economic development, can be said to be represented by a single and comprehensive set of shared values covering all social matters. Traditions and values change over time, and are viewed and interpreted differently by various actors in society. While there were traditions in line with human rights, others were in conflict with them. The aim of the workshop was to focus on the traditional values 3