Monograph pages 38-39

Recommendation concerning Education
for International Understanding, Co-operation
and Peace and Education relating to
Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms

18th UNESCO General Conference 1974

Guiding Principles

(excerpts)

(a) an international dimension and a global perspective in education at all levels and in all its forms;

(b) understanding and respect for all peoples, their cultures, civilizations, values and ways of life, including domestic ethnic cultures and cultures of other nations;

(c) awareness of the increasing global interdependence between peoples and nations;

(d) abilities to communicate with others;

(e) awareness not only of the rights but also of the duties incumbent upon individuals, social groups and nations towards each other;

(f) understanding of the necessity for international solidarity and co-operation;

(g) readiness on the part of the individual to participate in solving the problems of his community, his country and the world at large.

As described in the following pages, UNESCO has from its birth contributed to the fundamental principles of a culture of peace:

• non-violence and respect for human rights;

• intercultural understanding, tolerance and solidarity;

• sharing and free flow of information;

• full participation and empowerment of women.

Non violence and respect for human rights

UNESCO has a long tradition of teaching and promoting the basic principles of peace and human rights and disseminating the international conventions of human rights in order to make their provisions known to the widest possible audience. The Organization continues to base its work on the principles adopted in its 1974 Recommendation on Education for International Understanding, Co-operation and Peace, and Education relating to Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (see the box with its guiding principles).
The important role of education for human rights and democracy considered a preventive form of action towards a culture of peace was discussed by some 250 participants from more than 60 countries at the International Congress on Education for Human Rights and Democracy, held in Montreal in March 1993. 'Education for human rights and democracy in the last analysis means the empowerment of each and every individual to participate with an active sense of responsibility in all aspects of political and social life,' UNESCO's Director General said in his opening remarks to the Congress. 'It is the continuing process of fostering attitudes and behaviours conducive to that "art of thinking independently together" which is at the heart of the democratic ethos and which is antagonistic to discrimination and injustice.'

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Education for human rights and democracy empowers the individual to participate with an active sense of responsibility in all aspects of political and social life..

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