A central issue of human rights education is the right to education. A major challenge is the effective realisation of the right to education at the national level.

UNESCO, with professional bodies working in the field of the right to education, is supporting Member States in taking decisions and actions for this goal. Recognizing the importance of capacity-building, the Organization provides technical assistance to Member States in modernizing national legislations. Awareness-raising campaigns, training programmes, design, implementation and dissemination of research and studies are also part of strategic actions.

Key Legal Instruments

The Integrated Framework of Action on Education for Peace, Human Rights and Democracy (1995) 

This document relates some of the challenges to education for peace, human rights and democracy.

The Recommendation concerning Education for International Understanding, Co-operation and Peace and Education relating to Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (1974)

This Recommendation describes and explains the purpose of education as contained in Article 26.2 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). It was updated in accordance with the recommendations of the 44th International Conference on Education (Geneva, October 1994).

UNESCO’s official texts and legal instruments related to peace and human rights