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The project will be launched in the presence of H.E. Ms Esther Brimmer, Assistant Secretary for International Organizations, Department of State of the United States of America, Mr Mario Lisboa Theodoro, Executive Secretary of the Secretariat on Policies of Promotion of Racial Equality (SEPPIR) in Brazil, and Ms Irina Bokova, UNESCO Director-General.

Racism, xenophobia and intolerance remain prevalent across the globe and are increasing in many places. UNESCO considers that education is essential to strengthening the foundations of tolerance, reducing discrimination and violence, and learning to live together. To achieve these aims we must cultivate respect for all people regardless of colour, gender, descent or national, ethnic or religious identity. Education is vital in this respect, especially in reaching out to children and young people during their formative years, notably through educational materials and curricula. To this end, UNESCO will develop a curricular framework to fight racism and promote tolerance, which countries will be able to adapt to their respective contexts and needs. The project will also elaborate practical tools that explain how to address racism and tolerance in education. These tools will build on lessons learned and current good practices in the field.

To launch the project, UNESCO will convene a panel composed of governmental officials (national and local), experts and practitioners from different regions of the world with the aim of addressing a series of contemporary issues related to the teaching of respect and anti-discrimination at the classroom level.