NGO Comments on the High Commissioner’s Progress Report on the Implementation of the World Programme for Human Rights Education
Kazunari Fujii (SGI) on behalf of:
SOKA GAKKAI INTERNATIONAL (SGI)
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR THE RIGHT TO EDUCATION AND FREEDOM OF EDUCATION (OIDEL)
HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION ASSOCIATES (HREA)
EQUITAS INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION
INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN (IFUW)
ASSOCIATION POINTS-COEUR
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM (IARF)
INTERNATIONAL NETWORK FOR THE PREVENTION OF ELDER ABUSE (INPEA)
AL-HAKIM FOUNDATION
INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN
INTERNATIONAL MOVEMENT AGAINST ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION AND RACISM (IMADR)
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR THE ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION (EAFORD)
CIVICUS – WORLD ALLIANCE FOR CITIZEN PARTICIPATION
ASIA-PACIFIC HUMAN RIGHTS INFORMATION CENTER (HURIGHTS OSAKA)
ASIAN FORUM FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEVELOPMENT (FORUM-ASIA)
TERESIAN ASSOCIATION
INSTITUTE FOR PLANETARY SYNTHESIS (IPS)
PAN PACIFIC OF SOUTH EAST ASIA WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION (PPSEAWAL)
SERVAS INTERNATIONAL
WORLDWIDE ORGANIZATION FOR WOMEN (WOW)
SOVEREIGN MILITARY ORDER OF THE TEMPLE OF JERUSALEM (OSMTH)
Thank you, Mme President,
I speak on behalf of 21 organisations.[1]
We welcome the High Commissioner’s Progress Report on the World Programme for Human Rights Education.[2] We appreciate that 34 member states and 14 National Human Rights Institutions submitted their response to the questionnaire on the subject. We also noted and appreciate that after the Report was made, other member states in addition to those 34 submitted their response or are in the process of doing so.[3]
We encourage all governments both at national and local levels to devote themselves to the effective implementation of human rights education and training. Establishing and making best use of national focal points, strategies and plans of action4 are key elements to fulfil this accountability.
The World Programme for Human Rights Education is an essential tool for implementing the UN Declaration on Human Rights Education and Training, a new normative reference for the international community.
We support the conclusion in the High Commissioner’s report, and emphasise the need for a monitoring and evaluation process in order to maximise the long-term impact of human rights education.
As indicated in paragraphs 56, 57 and 60 of her Report, we appreciate OHCHR for engaging with civil society organisations in the dissemination of the Plan of Action of the World Programme through civil society global networks and the co-production of useful materials such as a handbook for evaluating human rights training and a documentary film on the positive impact of human rights education.
We affirm that human rights education and training in non-formal and formal settings benefit both young and elderly, and is a life-long process. As stipulated in the UN Declaration, human rights education and training empowers persons to enjoy and exercise their rights and to respect and uphold the rights of others.[5
Thank you, Mme President.
[1] This statement reflects views of NGOs expressed in the discussions of the NGO Working Group on Human Rights Education and Learning of the Conference of NGOs (CoNGO) and Human Rights Education Associates (HREA).
[2] A/HRC/21/20 (26 June 2012).
[3] OHCHR webpage “Second phase (2010-2014) on the World Programme for Human Rights Education” http://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/education/training/programme/secondphase/nationalinitiatives.htm
[4] The High Commissioner’s progress report, op.cit. note 2, Paras.8-14.
[5] In particular, Article 2, para.2 (c).
