unesco strategy on human rightsunesdoc.unesco.org/images/0015/001533/153334e.pdf · human rights...

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united nations educational, scientific and cultural organization organisation des nations unies pour l'éducation, la science et la culture

To Ministers responsible for relations with UNESCO

7, place de Fontenoy, 75352 Paris 07 SP 1, rue Miollis, 75732 Paris CEDEX 15

adresse postale : B.P.3.07 Paris téléphone : national 01.45.68.10.00 international + (33.1) 45.68.10.00 télégrammes : UNESCO Paris télex : 204461 Paris 270602 Paris téléfax : 01.45.67.16.90

référence : CL/3688

Subject: Implementation in Member States of UNESCO’s strategies for human rights and against racism and discrimination

Sir/Madam,

As you are no doubt aware, the General Conference at its recent 32nd session approved a UNESCO Strategy on Human Rights and an Integrated Strategy to Combat Racism, Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance. I am most grateful to Member States and National Commissions for UNESCO for their substantial contribution to the elaboration of these interconnected strategies, the texts of which I am pleased to enclose herewith.

The comments and suggestions put forward during the discussions in the Executive Board of the relevant draft documents (165 EX/10 and 164 EX/16), as well as in the subsequent consultations, assisted us greatly in refining the main priorities proposed in the strategies. The discussions on the strategies in the General Conference then provided us with precious advice concerning their implementation. Particularly noteworthy was the consensus that emerged that the effective implementation of both strategies can only be achieved through the active involvement of Member States and the mobilization of National Commissions.

I should therefore greatly appreciate it if you would inform us how your country intends to contribute to the implementation of these two strategies, starting from the 2004-2005 biennium.

Such information, which should cover activities and projects planned at national and regional levels, should reach us by 20 March 2004 and be addressed directly to Mr E. Cifuentes Muñoz, Director, Division of Human Rights and Fight against Discrimination (tel.: 00 33 1 45 68 38 19; fax: 00 33 1 45 68 57 26; email: [email protected]). The UNESCO Secretariat, both at Headquarters and in the field, will of course be at your disposal to provide you with any advice you may require in the design of relevant activities.

27/11/2003

mailto:[email protected]

CL/3688 – page 2

I am looking forward to further strengthening our cooperation in our shared endeavour to promote human rights and eliminate all forms of discrimination.

Please accept, Sir/Madam, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Koïchiro Matsuura Director-General

Enclosures: 2

cc: National Commissions for UNESCO Permanent Delegations to UNESCO

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Organisation des Nations Unies pour l’éducation, la science et la culture


UNESCO STRATEGY ON HUMAN RIGHTS

Adopted by the UNESCO General Conference at its 32nd session

(29 September – 17 October 2003)


INTRODUCTION

1. The Charter of the United Nations proclaims the promotion of respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all as a major objective of the entire United Nations system. Article I of the UNESCO Constitution reaffirms this commitment.

2. From the outset, UNESCO has played an important role in the field of human rights. It was actively involved in the elaboration of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and, immediately after its adoption, proclaimed the importance of this Declaration for all UNESCO activities. The Organization assisted in drafting the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

3. UNESCO has a constitutional mandate to contribute to the promotion of all human rights. At the same time, it has special responsibility with regard to certain rights, in particular the right to education, the right to participate in cultural life, the right to freedom of opinion and expression, including the right to seek, receive and impart information, the right to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress and its applications. The Organization also has an important role in the promotion and protection of cultural diversity, which is an ethical imperative inseparable from respect for human dignity and implies a commitment to human rights and fundamental freedoms. UNESCO protects and promotes cultural heritage in its tangible and intangible expressions. Freedom of expression, media pluralism, multilingualism and equal access for all cultures to cultural life including equal access to knowledge, including its digital form, are all guarantors of cultural diversity and consequently for respect of human rights.1 The promotion of the rights of women is a priority for the Organization.

4. UNESCO has adopted a number of standard-setting instruments relating to human rights. It has conducted research in order to clarify the content of human rights to promote their advancement. It has a recognized role in the field of human rights education and has issued numerous publications, educational and information materials on human rights, contributing significantly to their universal promotion and protection and to the creation of a culture of human rights.2

5. UNESCO’s commitment to human rights has been reconfirmed and further elucidated in the decisions of its governing bodies. At its 31st session, the General Conference authorized the Director-General to enhance UNESCO’s contribution to the promotion of all human rights, focusing on those within the Organization’s competence (31 C/5, para. 03200). The Medium-Term Strategy for 2002-2007 defines the promotion and protection of human rights as one of the priorities for the entire Organization (31 C/4, paras. 90-92).

6. The draft strategy on human rights is UNESCO’s response to the United Nations Secretary-General’s Reform Programme, which affirms that “… a major task for the future will be to enhance the human rights programme and integrate it into the broad range of the Organization’s activities ...”.3 It reflects the provisions of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, in particular, the

1 UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity, unanimously adopted by the UNESCO General

Conference in November 2001 (in particular Art. 4-6). 2 Additional information can be found in a “Review of UNESCO’s past and present work on human rights”. This

document is available (in English) upon request. 3 Report of the Secretary-General, “Renewing the United Nations: A Programme for Reform”, A/51/950, 1997,

paragraph 79.

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principles of universality, indivisibility, interrelationship and interdependence of all human rights – civil, cultural, economic, political and social.4 It was prepared with due account of the specific responsibilities of other bodies, programmes and specialized agencies of the United Nations system, in particular of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).5 The draft strategy aims to ensure a significant UNESCO contribution to the implementation of the United Nations Agenda for the 21st Century, the United Nations Millennium Declaration and the Millennium Development Goals. 6 Its purpose is to strengthen UNESCO’s contribution to the promotion and protection of human rights through the application of a coherent and Organization-wide vision of human rights.

7. The draft strategy was elaborated by an Intersectoral Task Force set up at the request of the Director-General by the Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences. It follows up on document 165 EX/10 “Elements of an Overall UNESCO Human Rights Strategy”, which was presented to the Executive Board in October 2002 and incorporates the results of its debates. In conformity with the decision of the Board, the Task Force continued its work on the strategy. Information on the progress made in the preparation of the strategy was presented to the Executive Board at its 166th session.7

8. The present document also reflects the results of a consultation with Member States and Observers, based on document 165 EX/10, which was launched by a circular letter of 17 October 2002.8 In their replies, all States agreed on the pertinence of a UNESCO human rights strategy. At the same time, not all elements of the proposed draft in document 165 EX/10 received their full support. Bearing in mind that, quite often, States expressed divergent views on the same elements, the modifications introduced to this document reflect the views of the majority of States.

9. The present document also reflects the results of the consultations with partners within the United Nations system, including the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the International Labour Office (ILO), as well as with leading human rights research and training institutions, non-governmental organizations and UNESCO Chairs in Human Rights.9

10. The draft strategy is aimed at integrating a human rights-based approach into all of UNESCO’s programmes, encouraging theoretical and empirical research and disseminating knowledge on human rights, further promoting human rights education as an integral part of the right to education, and developing and implementing UNESCO’s human rights standards. In all these activities, the promotion of human rights of women, equal gender opportunities and the equal participation of women in all spheres of life will be a priority. Moreover, the draft strategy is aimed

4 Adopted by consensus by the World Conference on Human Rights in Vienna in 1993. 5 Additional information is contained in a “Review of United Nations agencies mandates and work in human

rights”. This document is available (in English) upon request. 6 See the United Nations Millennium Declaration, A/RES/55/2, 8 September 2000, and the Report of the

Secretary-General, “Road map towards the implementation of the United Nations Millennium Declaration”, A/56/326, 6 September 2001.

7 Report by the Director-General on the follow-up of decisions adopted by the Executive Board at its previous sessions (166 EX/5).

8 As of the end of May 2003, UNESCO has received 40 replies: Austria, Brazil, Chile, Croatia, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Holy See, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Madagascar, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Oman, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Serbia and Montenegro (formerly the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia), Slovakia, Switzerland, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey and Viet Nam.

9 Consultations were held with UNESCO Chairs in Human Rights during the World Forum of UNESCO Chairs (November 2002), with non-governmental organizations in Paris in March/May 2003 and with human research and training institutions in Maastricht in June 2003.

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at further strengthening cooperation in the field of human rights within the United Nations system, as well as with regional intergovernmental organizations and other partners. Actions relating to advisory services and technical assistance, which are subject to the mobilization of extrabudgetary resources and which will be implemented in close cooperation with UNESCO partners, are also mentioned in several sections of the document. The implementation of the strategy involves all UNESCO sectors and field offices.

11. The overall goal of the draft strategy is to increase UNESCO’s contribution to the advancement of human rights in an era of globalization and to reaffirm UNESCO’s specific role in promoting all human rights, in particular by means of education and research, and in protecting those rights within its fields of competence. The implementation of the strategy will contribute to the creation of a global culture of human rights, which is an important step to bring about globalization with a human face.

SECTION I – FURTHER INTEGRATING A HUMAN RIGHTS-BASED APPROACH INTO ALL OF UNESCO’S PROGRAMMES

12. The United Nations Secretary-General stressed that human rights are a central tenet of the United Nations reform. Emphasizing that human rights are at the core of all United Nations activities, he urged for human rights mainstreaming within the United Nations system.10 Such mainstreaming implies that:

(a) all programmes, policies and technical assistance should further the realization of human rights as laid down in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights instruments;

(b) human rights principles and standards should guide the programming process in all fields and all stages, including design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation;

(c) programmes and activities should contribute to the development of the capacities of “duty-bearers” to meet their obligations and of “rights-holders” to claim their rights. 11

13. Further integrating a human rights-based approach into all phases of the programming process will increase UNESCO’s contribution to the implementation of human rights. The integration will be done on the basis of human rights principles and standards, with due account of the concluding observations and general comments by the human rights treaty monitoring bodies. Mainstreaming the human rights of women in order to respect, protect and fulfil their rights, which is a task of the United Nations system as a whole, will be a priority within the present strategy.12

14. To further integrate a human rights-based approach in UNESCO and to ensure in-house capacity-building on human rights, the following objectives are set:

(i) integration of a human rights-based approach into all UNESCO activities and projects in line with the United Nations Reform Programme;

10 Report of the Secretary-General, “Road map towards the implementation of the United Nations Millennium

Declaration”, A/56/326, paragraph 201, 6 September 2001. 11 Based on the conclusions of the second inter-agency workshop on implementing a human rights-based approach

to development in the context of United Nations reforms (Stamford, Connecticut, 5-7 May 2003). 12 Strategic Objective I.1, Beijing Platform for Action, paragraph 231.

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(ii) intensified in-house coordination of human rights activities, ensuring a more effective contribution to the advancement of all human rights, particularly those within UNESCO’s competence;

(iii) increased awareness and knowledge on the part of UNESCO staff of human rights standards, major challenges to human rights and human rights-based programming.

15. Proposed action includes:

(a) development, with due consideration of the mainstreaming experience accumulated within the United Nations, of a phased plan to mainstream human rights into all of UNESCO’s programmes and activities on the basis of human rights instruments and the conclusions of treaty monitoring bodies;

(b) staff training in human rights at Headquarters and in the field, including staff meetings on major challenges to human rights with leading experts;

(c) regular exchange of information and implementation of joint intersectoral projects;

(d) regular evaluation of the activities implemented and the results achieved.

16. Expected outcomes are:

(a) an Organization-wide coherent vision of UNESCO’s role and specific responsibilities in the field of human rights and a human rights-based approach to the activities of all Sectors;

(b) increased awareness and knowledge on the part of staff members of human rights standards, challenges and trends, as well as clearer articulation of the human rights dimension of the Organization’s work;

(c) use of the results of the evaluations in programming and in adjusting accordingly ongoing projects;

(d) increased international recognition of UNESCO’s specific role in the field of human rights.

SECTION II – ADVANCING HUMAN RIGHTS IN AN ERA OF GLOBALIZATION

17. While globalization has created unprecedented wealth and well-being, it has been accompanied by increasing poverty, inequality and exclusion for many countries, groups and individuals. Activities to respect, protect and fulfil human rights require urgent strengthening, in order to bring about “globalization with a human face”, as it is acknowledged in the current UNESCO Medium-Term Strategy.

18. UNESCO’s human rights activities focus on those areas where the Organization has a clear comparative advantage, experience and expertise. Drawing upon UNESCO’s functions as a laboratory of ideas, a standard-setter and a clearing house, 13 the main axes of the draft strategy are “promotion of research and dissemination of knowledge on human rights”, “human rights education

13 Medium-Term Strategy for 2002-2007, paragraph 30.

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as an integral part of the right to education”, and “standard-setting, monitoring and human rights protection within UNESCO’s fields of competence”.

A. Promotion of research and dissemination of knowledge on human rights

19. UNESCO has a special role to play in promoting research, intellectual reflection and debate on obstacles preventing the full implementation of all human rights in all its fields of competence, as well as in identifying “good practices” and directions of possible action. The results of this research should serve to inform policy-making at all levels and support standard-setting, capacity-building and technical assistance, as well as support human rights education activities.

20. UNESCO’s multidisciplinary human rights research agenda is to be determined in close cooperation with OHCHR, leading research and training institutions from all regions of the world, UNESCO Chairs and other partners. The results of research should be widely disseminated to increase general awareness about human rights issues. This will be carried out in cooperation with National Commissions, UNESCO partners and networks, including national human rights institutions, research and training centres, UNESCO Chairs, intergovernmental organizations, and civil society.

21. To promote research and disseminate knowledge on human rights, the following objectives are set:

(i) identification and analysis of threats and obstacles to the full enjoyment of human rights in UNESCO’s fields of competence, as well as of emerging challenges at regional and global levels;

(ii) further elucidation of the principle of universality, indivisibility, interrelation and interdependence of all human rights in particular related to UNESCO’s areas of expertise, of the inherent link between human rights, democracy, peace and development and of equal rights of men and women and gender equality;

(iii) development of cooperation in setting and implementing UNESCO’s research agenda with Member States, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, national human rights institutions, the networks of UNESCO Chairs and human rights research and training centres.


(a) development of a research agenda on the content, nature of obligations, state of implementation, indicators and justiciability of human rights within UNESCO’s fields of competence, including economic, social and cultural rights, and taking into account regional and subregional priorities and the need to ensure the equal participation of women and men in economic, social and cultural spheres, also considering thematic priorities, such as freedom of belief and conviction, and rights of persons belonging to various groups;

(b) wide dissemination of information on UNESCO’s activities in the field of human rights, documentation, and results of research to contribute to policy-making, capacity-building and awareness-raising;

(c) identification and dissemination of “good practices” in the implementation of human rights;

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(d) encouragement of research, in particular that undertaken by young researchers from all regions of the world, and especially from developing countries, through small research grants.


(a) empowerment of civil society organizations so as to work more efficiently for the advancement of human rights for all, women and men, within UNESCO’s fields of competence;

(b) influence on policy-making and standard-setting to contribute to the advancement of human rights within UNESCO’s fields of competence;

(c) strengthened partnerships with research networks and governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners;

(d) development, within UNESCO’s fields of competence, of research on human rights worldwide and in particular in developing countries;

(e) increased knowledge and sensitization of the general public on challenges, threats and obstacles to the full enjoyment of human rights in UNESCO’s fields of competence, through the wide dissemination of the results of research, in particular within the framework of human rights education activities with a view to bridging the gap between theory and practice.

B. Human rights education as an integral part of the right to education

24. UNESCO has a longstanding experience in the field of Human Rights Education (HRE), a domain in which it has been active since its inception in 1945. Since 1995, UNESCO’s activities have been placed within the framework of the United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education (1995-2004) and are based on different normative instruments adopted by UNESCO and the United Nations. In the UNESCO Medium-Term Strategy, as well as in 30 C/Resolution 16 and different decisions of the Executive Board, Member States indicated HRE as one of the strategic priorities for UNESCO’s action and a key element for the promotion of the right to quality education and equal access of girls and women to such education.

25. UNESCO considers that HRE is itself a human right within the framework of the fulfillment of the right to education, which is one of the priorities of the Millennium Declaration. In major human rights instruments, human rights education is considered as an integral part of the right to education, which shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, women and men, and shall promote the values of peace, understanding and tolerance.14

26. In today’s world, it is crucial to address HRE through a holistic perspective. HRE should therefore constitute the basis for the democratization of education systems in the context of national education reforms with a view to integrating the learning and practice of human rights. This includes not only the content of the curriculum but also the educational processes, the pedagogical methods and the environment within which education takes place, including management of education systems. Human rights education implies the practice as well as the learning of human rights. Therefore, HRE should not only be theoretical but should provide opportunities for learners

14 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 26(2); International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural

Rights, Article 13(1); Convention on the Rights of the Child, Article 29(1).

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to develop and practise the skills to respect human rights and democracy through “school life”. HRE should be an integral part of formal, non-formal and informal education.

27. In the framework of the above considerations and following consultations undertaken with Member States, experts15 and NGOs in this regard, the following objectives are set:

(i) monitoring of human rights education as part of the right to education in Member States;

(ii) mainstreaming human rights education into national education systems, in conformity with the principles of universality, indivisibility, interrelation and interdependence of all human rights, taking into account the diversity of cultures, historical developments and the history of education in each country;

(iii) integration of human rights education in Education for All (EFA) national plans of action;

(iv) assisting in the preparation and implementation of national plans of action for human rights education, with due account of the results of the Decade;

(v) building strategic partnerships with United Nations specialized agencies and intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations and other civil society associations, research community, parliamentarians, etc., in order to enhance effective implementation and impact of human rights education at international, regional and national levels. National Commissions for UNESCO have an essential role to play in this regard;

(vi) promotion of existing UNESCO networks (UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs, Associated Schools, UNESCO Associations and Clubs) and establishment of new ones.


(a) review how Member States have ensured that national legislation and administrative regulations are in compliance with normative instruments on the right to education and HRE, as well as how these obligations have been put into practice. Compile and publish national practices;

(b) support the conduct of studies by national research institutes on how the universal values of human rights are embedded in the national and local culture(s);

(c) implement national and subregional projects (financed through extrabudgetary resources) in a number of regions, primarily focusing on: revision of curricula and textbooks; training of trainers, educators and administrative personnel in the education system; and production of educational materials, teacher guidelines and training materials;

(d) conduct research on human rights education, including on methods, content, techniques and quality indicators for the evaluation of human rights education and the practice of rights in education;

15 An expert meeting on “The practice of rights in education: a renewed commitment to human rights education”

was organized in UNESCO Headquarters on 30-31 January 2003 in this regard. The final report is available in English and French.

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(e) publish and disseminate “good practices” of human rights education in cooperation with OHCHR. Furthermore, innovative pedagogical approaches in the field of human rights education will be recognized through the UNESCO Prize for Human Rights Education;

(f) encourage integration of HRE into EFA planning through the development of guidelines to Member States, describing the step-by-step process for inclusion of HRE into EFA plans, and through dedicated workshops;

(g) provide, as required, advisory services and technical assistance to Member States on the elaboration of national plans of action for human rights education in line with the specific guidelines formulated by OHCHR;

(h) promote the effective use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), such as through the UNESCO multilingual education server D@dalos for human rights and democracy in South-East Europe, the multilingual electronic network of human rights education experts in Latin America, and the possible creation of a portal for sharing and disseminating information on curriculum, teacher training, research, evaluation and “good practices” on HRE. A database of experts on HRE will also be created;

(i) enhance collaboration with existing international, regional and national networks, in particular with UNESCO Chairs.


(a) international normative instruments on the right to education and human rights education monitored;

(b) HRE mainstreamed in national education systems;

(c) HRE integrated within EFA national plans;

(d) national plans for HRE elaborated and implemented;

(e) strategic partnerships for the implementation of HRE built and cooperation enhanced with existing networks;

(f) “good practices”, including innovative pedagogical approaches documented, published and disseminated.

C. Standard-setting, monitoring and activities related to human rights protection within UNESCO’s fields of competence

30. UNESCO has over the years adopted a number of standard-setting instruments directly or indirectly relating to human rights within its fields of competence. These conventions, declarations and recommendations mainly address the right to education, the protection of moral and material interests resulting from the scientific, literary or artistic production, the right to take part in cultural life, etc.

31. The monitoring mechanism of UNESCO’s standard-setting instruments is based on a State reporting procedure, as laid down in Article IV(6) and Article VIII of the Constitution and the Rules of Procedure concerning recommendations to Member States and international conventions covered by the terms of Article IV, paragraph 4 of the Constitution. There is a clear distinction between the

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“initial reports” and the “periodic reports”, some of which are considered by the Committee on Conventions and Recommendations (CR). The CR Committee reports to the Executive Board, which then submits its comments to the General Conference for consideration.

32. In order to improve the effectiveness of UNESCO’s reporting mechanisms, the CR Committee started to examine a number of options for reform,16 and suggested to the Executive Board to adopt several transitional measures on the matter bearing in mind the similar efforts undertaken within the United Nations system to improve the monitoring procedures of the various human rights treaties.17 These measures contained in 165 EX/Decision 6.2 of the Executive Board are applicable only to the conventions and recommendations entrusted to the CR Committee until an appropriate decision by the General Conference. In the same spirit, the Executive Board18 and ECOSOC established in October 2001 a Joint Expert Group on the monitoring of the right to education, composed of two representatives of the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) and two representatives of CR. This UNESCO (CR) and ECOSOC (CESCR) Joint Expert Group held its first meeting at UNESCO Headquarters on 19 May 2003 and examined, within the framework of its mandate, the possibilities for reducing the reporting burden on States in relation to the right to education and to identify ways in which arrangements could be both streamlined and made more effective.

33. The main mechanism for the protection of human rights within UNESCO’s competence is the communications procedure established by 104 EX/Decision 3.3 of 1978, which provides for the examination of cases and questions submitted to UNESCO concerning alleged violations of human rights in its spheres of competence. The communications procedure is strictly confidential and seeks a friendly settlement with the State concerned.

34. In addition to the above and in accordance with well-established practice, the Director-General may, through the right of intercession vested in him by 19 C/Resolution 12.1, personally undertake humanitarian representations for individuals who have allegedly been victims of human rights violations in UNESCO’s fields of competence and whose cases call for urgent consideration.

35. The UNESCO Constitution in Article I, paragraph 2(a) stipulates that the Organization will “collaborate in the work of advancing the mutual knowledge and understanding of peoples through all means of mass communication and to that end recommend such international agreements as may be necessary to promote the free flow of ideas by word and image”. This has enabled UNESCO to play an active role both in promoting freedom of expression and in protecting the rights of journalists, artists and others who may be at risk as a result of their professional activities by enhancing the role of free and pluralistic media in democratic society.

36. The following objectives are set:

(i) to achieve universality and greater effectiveness of UNESCO’s instruments related to human rights;

(ii) to rationalize and increase the efficiency of UNESCO’s reporting and monitoring procedures related to human rights within its fields of competence;

(iii) to raise awareness about the importance of UNESCO’s instruments related to human rights for peace and security.

16 See documents 164 EX/23 and 165 EX/21. 17 Report of the Secretary-General, “Strengthening of the United Nations: an Agenda for Further Change”,

A/57/387, 9 September 2002, paras. 52-54. 18 See 162 EX/Decision 5.4.

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(a) encouraging universal ratification of UNESCO instruments and increasing knowledge on their content;

(b) updating existing UNESCO instruments on human rights and elaborating new instruments, where appropriate;

(c) awareness-raising on the work of the CR Committee in human rights protection, especially among NGOs, human rights activists and other civil society actors;

(d) providing assistance to Member States, at their request, concerning the implementation of UNESCO instruments and/or recommendations emerging from the examination of State reports, as well as in adapting their legislation to internationally recognized principles;

(e) participation in and contribution to the standard-setting activities of United Nations bodies and agencies related to human rights within UNESCO’s fields of competence.


(a) strengthened normative basis of UNESCO’s work in the field of human rights with particular emphasis on the right to education;

(b) more effective reporting and monitoring procedures;

(c) improved implementation of UNESCO’s instruments related to human rights;

(d) freedom of expression and freedom of the press as basic human rights and elements of democracy further promoted and safeguarded by UNESCO, through raising public awareness, normative action and operational projects;

(e) cultural diversity and the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion better protected, and the intercultural and interreligious dialogue further promoted.

SECTION III – STRENGTHENING PARTNERSHIPS

39. An effective response to numerous challenges impeding the full enjoyment of human rights in an era of globalization requires the concerted action of the world community as a whole. The strengthening of cooperation within the United Nations system is indispensable. The increasing number of bodies and mechanisms dealing with the promotion and protection of human rights together with the adoption of a human rights-based approach by the United Nations entities make the need for clear “division of labour” and complementarity of roles and responsibilities in the field of human rights an imperative. The principles proposed by the Secretary-General of the United Nations provide the general framework.19

40. Within the United Nations, OHCHR is entrusted with the coordination of all human rights activities throughout the system. To strengthen cooperation with OHCHR, UNESCO signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Office in February 2003. The Memorandum identifies priority areas of common interest and sets the modalities of a more dynamic and effective 19 “Strengthening the United Nations: an agenda for further change”, Report of the Secretary-General of the United

Nations, A/57/387, paragraph 124.

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interaction. Cooperation will cover the implementation of the UNESCO strategy on human rights and of the integrated strategy to combat racism and discrimination, as well as joint efforts to promote human rights of women and gender equality. Necessary steps will be taken to establish equivalent or similar agreements with other United Nations bodies, programmes and specialized agencies, as well as to implement existing agreements, such as the Agreement of Cooperation with the International Labour Organization (signed in 1947). The increased cooperation with treaty bodies, thematic special rapporteurs and representatives is also a priority. In this context, it is important to mention the establishment of the Joint Expert Group UNESCO (CR)/ECOSOC (CESCR) on the Monitoring of the Right to Education.

41. Better coordination and closer cooperation is indispensable particularly in the area of technical assistance to Member States in the field of human rights. Almost all United Nations entities and the majority of regional intergovernmental organizations provide technical assistance in various forms. The clear determination of roles and responsibilities would maximize the impact of such activities to the benefit of States and their target groups.

42. The promotion and safeguarding of human rights is the joint task of a multitude of diverse actors, including intergovernmental organizations, civil society and the corporate sector. In order to achieve its goals related to mainstreaming and advancing human rights for all, women and men, at all levels, UNESCO intends to strengthen partnerships with National Commissions for UNESCO, national authorities, parliamentarians, national human rights institutions, research and training centres, UNESCO Chairs and the academic community, non-governmental organizations and other civil society associations, the corporate sector and the media.

43. To strengthen partnerships, the following objectives are set:

(i) to further increase cooperation with Member States, National Commissions for UNESCO, parliamentarians, national human rights institutions, the academic community and UNESCO Chairs, human rights research and training centres, non-governmental organizations and civil society associations, religious representatives, indigenous leaders, the media and the corporate sector;

(ii) to ensure better coordination and full cooperation with United Nations bodies, programmes, and specialized agencies and regional intergovernmental organizations, and to institutionalize cooperation with other interested intergovernmental organizations, such as the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues;

(iii) closer cooperation with all partners on the implementation of the strategy on human rights as a whole, in particular in the field of research, education, monitoring and technical assistance.


(a) implementing existing agreements of cooperation, as well as institutionalizing cooperation with other interested partners;

(b) designing and implementing joint projects and activities in areas of common interest with partners from the United Nations system, as well as with other intergovernmental organizations, in particular with regional ones, non-governmental organizations and various partners at the national level;

(c) mutual representation in meetings and regular exchange of information on programme priorities and activities with interested partners;

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(d) preparing and widely disseminating information materials and documentation on the human rights dimensions of UNESCO’s work to involve traditional and new UNESCO partners more actively in the implementation of UNESCO human rights projects;

(e) development of a joint plan of action with OHCHR in the priority areas as identified in the Memorandum of Understanding signed in February 2003.


(a) better “division of labour” and institutionalization of cooperation with United Nations bodies, programmes and specialized agencies and regional intergovernmental organizations;

(b) increased cooperation in monitoring implementation of human rights standards with the United Nations bodies, programmes, agencies and treaty bodies;

(c) implementation of an increasing number of projects and activities jointly with UNESCO partners, in particular in human rights research, human rights education and technical assistance;

(d) increased international acknowledgement of UNESCO’s contribution to the advancement of human rights.

46. Having examined the document entitled Draft UNESCO Strategy on Human Rights (Document 32 C/57), the General Conference adopted the following resolution:

The General Conference,

Reaffirming the principles of universality, indivisibility, interrelation, interdependence and equal importance of all human rights laid down in the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action adopted by the World Conference on Human Rights in 1993,

Recognizing that the present challenges to the enjoyment of human rights require a coherent and coordinated response by the United Nations system as a whole,

Taking note of the role entrusted to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to coordinate all human rights activities within the United Nations system,

Taking into consideration the United Nations Secretary-General’s Reform Programme (A/51/950), the United Nations Millennium Declaration and the Millennium Development Goals (United Nations General Assembly resolution 55/2),

Recalling the provisions of UNESCO’s Medium-Term Strategy for 2002-2007 (31 C/4),

Bearing in mind UNESCO’s commitment to human rights and the need to enhance UNESCO’s contribution to the advancement of all human rights for all, women and men, in particular the rights within its competence,

Welcoming measures to mainstream human rights into all UNESCO’s programmes and to reinforce internal coordination in the field of human rights, both at Headquarters and in the field,

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Having examined document 32 C/57,

1. Authorizes the Director-General, in the context of UNESCO’s Medium-Term Strategy for 2002-2007 (31 C/4), to take all necessary measures to implement the UNESCO strategy on human rights, and to pursue its integration into all UNESCO’s activities, in conformity with the United Nations Secretary-General’s appeal to mainstream human rights within the United Nations system;

2. Invites the Director-General to strengthen to that end cooperation with governments, parliaments, National Commissions for UNESCO, civil society and the academic community in Member States;

3. Calls upon the Director-General to further strengthen coordination and cooperation in the field of human rights with United Nations bodies, programmes and specialized agencies, with regional intergovernmental organizations, as well as with non-governmental organizations;

4. Encourages the Director-General to strengthen UNESCO’s cooperation with OHCHR based on the Memorandum of Understanding signed in February 2003;

5. Invites the Director-General to seek, as appropriate, all financial means to implement the UNESCO strategy on human rights and to increase UNESCO’s contribution to the advance;

6. Further invites the Director-General, as a result of the discussions on documents 32 C/13 and 32 C/57, to report, if necessary, to the 170th session of the Executive Board about revised implementation measures started for the 2004-2005 biennium.

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Organisation des Nations Unies pour l’éducation, la science et la culture

UNESCO INTEGRATED STRATEGY TO COMBAT RACISM, DISCRIMINATION, XENOPHOBIA AND RELATED

INTOLERANCE

Adopted by the UNESCO General Conference at its 32nd session

(29 September – 17 October 2003)

UNESCO integrated strategy to combat racism and discrimination

Background

1. The World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance (Durban, South Africa, 31 August to 8 September 2001) was organized by the United Nations to give new impetus to the combat against these scourges in modern societies. The conference, which was the third international meeting of this scope on the issue, following those held in 1978 and 1983 in Geneva, was held to mark the Third Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1993-2003) proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly on 20 December 1993 (A/RES/48/91).20

2. In the Programme of Action it adopted, the Durban Conference addressed some specific recommendations to UNESCO, inviting it to strengthen its efforts in the following areas: the Slave Route project and research on slavery and the slave route (paras. 119 and 120); development of cultural and educational programmes aimed at countering racism and racial discrimination (para. 126); preparation of teaching materials and tools for promoting human rights and the struggle against racism and other forms of discrimination (para. 156); preservation of cultural diversity (para. 179); promotion of the dialogue among civilizations (para. 192); development of research on cultural traditions relating to human rights (para. 195); implementation of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace and the objectives of the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World (para. 202).

3. In its resolution 56/266 adopted on 27 March 2002, the United Nations General Assembly “endorses the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action adopted on 8 September 2001 by the Conference; and expresses its satisfaction with the outcome of the Conference, which constitutes a solid foundation for further action and initiatives”. The resolution in particular “invites specialized agencies and related organizations of the United Nations system to strengthen and adjust, within their respective mandates, their activities, programmes and medium-term strategies to take into account the follow-up to the Conference”.

4. In response to that invitation and to the specific recommendations addressed to it, UNESCO, at the 164th session of the Executive Board in April 2002, examined document 164 EX/16 on the follow-up to the Durban Conference and adopted 164 EX/Decision 3.4.2 in which the Board “invites the Director-General to develop … an integrated strategy to combat racism, discrimination, xenophobia and intolerance in UNESCO’s fields of competence, to be submitted to the General Conference at its 32nd session …[and] to report to it at its 166th session on the progress that has been made on the implementation of this decision”. In his report 166 EX/5 Part I on the follow-up of decisions adopted by the Executive Board at its previous sessions, the Director-General informed the Executive Board of the various activities implemented by UNESCO since the Durban Conference and the adoption of 164 EX/Decision 3.4.2.

5. The Durban Conference came at a time when the international community was facing new threats of confrontation, exclusion and discrimination linked to the rise of extreme nationalism and ideologies of intolerance and was reflecting on the most effective ways of managing globalization and technological and scientific progress. The Conference offered UNESCO an opportunity to

20 The goals and objectives of the Third Decade are similar to those of the preceding decades, namely “to promote

human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction of any kind on grounds of race, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin, …, to eliminate the persistence of racist policies and to counteract the emergence of alliances based on mutual espousal of racism and racial discrimination; …; to identify, isolate and dispel the fallacious and mythical beliefs, policies and practices that contribute to racism and racial discrimination; and to put an end to racist regimes”.

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revitalize and reinforce, in cooperation with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, its combat against racism, discrimination and exclusion that is central to its mandate, as set forth in the preamble to its Constitution.21

6. It must be admitted that since the dismantling of the system of apartheid in South Africa, the Organization’s efforts to combat racism and discrimination have slowed down to some extent and are no longer highly visible. It is therefore important to give new impetus to UNESCO’s action, in the light of the commitment made by the international community in the Durban documents, endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly. This resolve is motivated by the new global response to the events of 11 September 2001 characterized by reinforcement of the combat against international terrorism, which must be carried out with full respect for human rights, and of the international instruments concerned with eliminating discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, descent or ethnic origin. The revitalization of UNESCO’s action is also in response to the need for openness, tolerance and mutual understanding of the dialogue among civilizations and of intercultural exchanges in a world which is more interdependent than ever before.

I. UNESCO’S PAST STRATEGIES AND ACTION

7. Before presenting the major thrusts of UNESCO’s new integrated strategy, a brief review of UNESCO’s past efforts is in order. From the earliest years of its existence, UNESCO demonstrated its commitment by initially waging the combat on the scientific front. It was able to mobilize the scientific community, calling upon eminent specialists to draft scientific texts refuting racist theories. A series of historic statements were thus produced, helping to demonstrate the absurdity of racial prejudice: Statement on Race (1950), Statement on the Nature of Race and Race Differences (1951), Statement on the Biological Aspects of Race (1964). The pinnacle of UNESCO’s efforts was the Declaration on Race and Racial Prejudice adopted by the UNESCO General Conference at its 20th session in 1978.

8. Following the phase of consolidation of scientific evidence and ethical principles refuting racism and other forms of discrimination, UNESCO then turned to the drawing up of international instruments defining universal principles, concepts and criteria in support of the combat against these threats to social peace and stability. Several standard-setting instruments relating to the problem of racism and discrimination in UNESCO’s fields of competence were thus adopted by the General Conference (see Annex).

9. Parallel to its scientific and standard-setting efforts, UNESCO launched, at the operational level, programmes and projects enabling it to participate more substantially in combating racism and discrimination in its fields of competence. UNESCO’s efforts in this field have become widely known owing in part to the following activities:

– the special programme against apartheid, a policy described since 1966 by UNESCO as a “crime against humanity”;

21 The Constitution of UNESCO, after observing in its preamble that “the great and terrible war which has now

ended was a war made possible by the denial of the democratic principles of the dignity, equality and mutual respect of men, and by the propagation, in their place, through ignorance and prejudice, of the doctrine of the inequality of men and races”, states in Article I that the Organization's purpose is “to contribute to peace and security by promoting collaboration among the nations through education, science and culture in order to further universal respect for justice, for the rule of law and for the human rights and fundamental freedoms which are affirmed by the peoples of the world, without distinction of race, sex, language or religion …”.

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– the Slave Route project which, through its promotion of scientific research and its “Breaking the silence” programme, designed to raise awareness about the transatlantic slave trade and launched by the Associated Schools Project (ASPnet), has helped bring about greater understanding of the tragedy of the slave trade and the ideological foundations of racism.

II. MAJOR THRUSTS OF UNESCO’S NEW INTEGRATED STRATEGY

10. UNESCO’s new integrated strategy takes into account the lines of emphasis defined as a result of UNESCO’s reform policy encouraging the Organization to concentrate on areas where it can have a real impact. The strategy is in harmony with the Organization’s strategic objectives, in particular objective No. 5 “Improving human security” (31 C/4, para. 93), and the priorities defined in the Medium-Term Strategy (2002-2007), which invites UNESCO to “put its expertise and knowledge also at the service of eliminating all forms of discrimination, in particular in the framework of the follow-up to the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance …” (31 C/4, para. 92). It is also part of a UNESCO global human rights strategy which is being developed in conjunction with the United Nations Secretary-General’s Reform Programme (resolution 51/950) aimed at placing human rights at the core of the United Nations system and achieving the development objectives set forth in the United Nations Millennium Declaration. It is designed to give concrete form to the principles and values set forth in the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity adopted by the General Conference in 2001. The new strategy is based on the results of studies on the various causes and forms of discrimination and on the recommendations made during the regional consultations on the follow-up to the Durban Conference organized by UNESCO during the 2002-2003 biennium, in pursuance of 164 EX/Decision 3.4.2, and in which the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance participated actively.22 Those results and recommendations were discussed and endorsed at the international expert seminar organized by UNESCO in June 2003 in Osaka, Japan, with the support of the Japanese National Commission for UNESCO. In view of the significance for UNESCO of the new strategy, the Director-General addressed a special message to the Osaka seminar participants, representing regions from all over the world.

A. OBJECTIVES OF THE INTEGRATED STRATEGY

11. General objectives:

• revitalize UNESCO’s efforts in the combat against racism, discrimination, xenophobia and intolerance in its fields of competence;

• reinforce cooperation with other United Nations agencies, in particular with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the International Labour Organization (ILO), UNAIDS and the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD), and with international intergovernmental organizations and regional organizations (European Union, African Union, Organization of American States, Association of South-East Asian Nations, etc.);

22 The studies and the reports of the regional consultations are available on request from the Secretariat.

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• reinforce awareness-raising activities in the field and strengthen solidarity networks by forming new partnerships and remobilizing UNESCO’s customary partners including civil society organizations, in particular those concerned with the defence of human rights, universities, research centres, educational establishments and training institutes and competent NGOs throughout the world.

Specific objectives:

• deepen knowledge about the development of forms of discrimination inherited from the past, notably those linked to the period of slavery and colonization and those affecting indigenous peoples and cultural and religious minorities;

• pursue research on new forms of discrimination, in particular those linked to globalization and to scientific and technological progress;

• reinforce the institutional capacities of the different actors involved to promote research, education and communication in the combat against racism and other forms of discrimination;

• broaden reflection on the phenomenon of xenophobia, particularly in the context of multi-ethnic and multicultural societies aspiring to a democratic citizenship where diversity is respected;

• contribute to the formulation and implementation of national policies and plans of action to combat racism and discrimination at the appropriate levels;

• collect, compare and disseminate good practices in the combat against racism, discrimination, including discrimination against individuals with HIV/AIDS, xenophobia and intolerance.

B. MAIN LINES OF ACTION OF THE STRATEGY

12. Unlike the early decades of its existence when UNESCO was quickly able to define its role in the combat against racism and discrimination and to become an essential partner, the field today is occupied by a multitude of social actors using all kinds of approaches and action strategies. Faced with this profusion of initiatives, UNESCO must find a niche which will enable it to demonstrate its unique contribution while ensuring greater complementarity and synergy with the efforts of the other partners. However, rather than lay out in advance the activities to be implemented for each UNESCO programme, the integrated strategy will define priority themes and actions covering the major fields of competence of the Organization which can later be translated into specific activities within the various programmes in conjunction with the recommendations made directly to UNESCO by the Durban Conference.

13. Because of the special features and cumulative effects of racism, discrimination, xenophobia and intolerance to which women fall victim, the gender dimension will be taken into account in all the fields of action covered by the present strategy.

14. In view of the scope of the problem and the limited means at UNESCO’s disposal, the new strategy must fulfil three requirements:

(a) the need for a thematic choice with a view to refocusing UNESCO’s efforts on selected fields where it can best demonstrate its comparative advantage;

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(b) the need to take account of and choose specific regional characteristics in order to include some of the priorities identified by the different regions of the world during the consultations and to facilitate interregional cooperation on some matters of common interest;

(c) the need for operational and innovative action to build up UNESCO’s presence and visibility in the field.

III. PRIORITY DOMAINS AND THEMES SELECTED

15. Developing scientific research and reflection on the phenomena of racism, discrimination and xenophobia with regard to the following themes:

• Legacy of racism: UNESCO will pursue and strengthen its research efforts on the link between current forms of racism and discrimination and certain traditional prejudices and forms of discrimination. The study of the impact of the slave trade and colonial domination will be reinforced as part of the Slave Route project, particularly in conjunction with the events planned for the International Year to Commemorate the Struggle against Slavery and its Abolition (2004).

• Link between discrimination and women: UNESCO will strengthen research on the process of the accumulation/superposition of forms of discriminations standing in the way of equality between women and men and of an improved status for women in different societies.

• Link between construction of identity and discrimination: UNESCO will make a greater contribution to reflection on the construction of identities in multicultural and multi-ethnic societies, to analysis of the discrimination and exclusion to which it may give rise, and to the search for responses that respect the diversity of identity issues and may preserve social cohesion.

• Link between scientific progress and emergence of new forms of discrimination: while scientific research once enabled UNESCO to discredit racist theories, the spectacular development of some scientific fields, in particular genetics, now raises the spectre of new forms of discrimination. As a scientific cooperation organization, UNESCO will launch appropriate studies and will mobilize the scientific community and the public to raise awareness about the emergence of these new forms of discrimination. To that end UNESCO will resume the bold and innovative approach which marked its combat against racism on the scientific front.

• Interaction between HIV/AIDS and discrimination: as part of the study of new forms of discrimination, special attention will go to the stigmatization and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS and the new epidemics.

• Link between globalization and new types of exclusion: As an organization promoting international solidarity, UNESCO will also seek to bring about better understanding of the new forms of discrimination and exclusion which may result from globalization.

16. Revision and/or revitalization of UNESCO’s standard-setting instruments contributing to the combat against discrimination in its fields of competence and reinforcement of cooperation with actors in the United Nations system.

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In the face of aggravated racism and the emergence of new forms of discrimination and dissemination of ideologies of intolerance, UNESCO will take steps to review, revitalize, complete and/or ensure the ratification of its standard-setting instruments relating to racism and discrimination.

• Special attention will be given to the 1960 Convention against Discrimination in Education (for which the seventh consultation for the examination of reports is scheduled for 2005) with a view to its ratification by all UNESCO Member States and its revitalization.

• UNESCO will strengthen its collaboration with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) with a view to more effective application of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination in the Organization’s fields of competence, in conformity with the memorandum signed on 5 February 2003 by the Director-General of UNESCO and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, which lists the combat against racism and discrimination as one of the priority areas of cooperation.

• As part of the follow-up to the Durban Conference, UNESCO will also reinforce its cooperation with the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, the intergovernmental working group on the Durban follow-up, the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent and the group of independent eminent experts23 appointed by the Secretary-General of the United Nations to follow-up the implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action.

17. Development of new educational approaches, preparation of teaching materials and definition of statistical indicators on racism, discrimination, xenophobia and intolerance

UNESCO will concentrate on the following activities:

• carrying out of comparative studies on educational approaches and methodologies used in civic education for the prevention of racism and discrimination, xenophobia and intolerance;

• training of trainers and teachers in the prevention of racial and xenophobic conflicts, in the classroom and in all educational settings, through, in particular, the design of specific tools based on human rights principles;

• reinforcement of exchanges between schools in different countries and cultures using various networks including the Associated Schools Network, as part of the “Breaking the silence” theme of the Slave Route project;

• creation of Internet dialogue and discussion forums on racism in the schools in view of the increasingly widespread use of the Internet by young people;

23 The five leading figures appointed by the Secretary-General of the United Nations on 16 June 2003 are: Martti

Ahtisaari (former President of Finland), His Royal Highness Prince El Hassan bin Talal (Jordan), Edna Maria Santos Roland (Brazil), Salim Ahmed Salim (Tanzania, former Secretary-General of OAU) and Hanna Suchocka (former Prime Minister of Poland).

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• preparation of guidelines for the development of new textbooks dealing with racism and other forms of discrimination, taking into account specific regional and national characteristics;

• definition of criteria and guidance for the revision of textbooks, particularly history textbooks, with a view to eliminating prejudice, racist attitudes and discrimination;

• production of a publication to combat racism and encourage tolerance, for use by university teachers, young researchers, and students, in cooperation with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights;

• production of a training manual and teaching materials on the stigmatization and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS for use with young people, in cooperation with UNAIDS and youth organizations;

• definition of statistical indicators to measure the prevalence of racism and discrimination, in cooperation with the UNESCO Institute for Statistics.

18. Mobilizing of opinion leaders and decision-makers against racism and forms of discrimination

Experience has shown that the combat against racism and discrimination, on fronts other than research, education and communication, calls for major efforts in the field whose effectiveness depends on raising public awareness, in particular through opinion leaders. This approach also depends on the participation of decision-makers and the adoption of legislative, judicial and administrative measures to provide protection against racist and discriminatory acts and attitudes.

• UNESCO will undertake initiatives to encourage decision-makers (governments, parliamentarians, municipal authorities and so forth) to draw up and implement anti-racist and anti-discriminatory measures.

• It will also use its reputation and status with various publics, including young people, artists, athletes, journalists, scientists, teachers and religious leaders, to launch targeted awareness or mobilization campaigns on the occasion of special events (international days, in particular the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on 21 March and the International Day for Tolerance on 16 November, festivals, sports events, celebrations, etc.). UNESCO will take advantage of the influence of its Goodwill Ambassadors, involving them more deeply in such campaigns.

19. Preserving diversity in multi-ethnic and multicultural societies

• UNESCO will strengthen its contribution to reflection on the socio-political and cultural conditions likely to facilitate a democratic citizenship respectful of diversity in multi-ethnic and multicultural societies.

• It will also develop in-depth studies on various forms of discrimination which stigmatize and exclude “minorities” from certain aspects of society, in particular the audiovisual field.

20. Combating racist propaganda in the media and in cyberspace

In response to the potential use of the new information and communication technologies, in particular the Internet, to spread racist, intolerant or discriminatory ideas, UNESCO will reinforce

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its awareness-raising efforts with the aim of ensuring greater respect by professionals for ethical rules and more effective application by public authorities of regulations in this field.

• UNESCO will in particular encourage professional organizations to engage in ethical reflection as a means of strengthening the commitment of media professionals, in particular those working with the Internet, to combating racism and discrimination in cyberspace.

• It will launch campaigns for raising the awareness of political and professional decision-makers and mobilizing them against racist propaganda spread via the new information technologies.

IV. IMPLEMENTING THE INTEGRATED STRATEGY

21. UNESCO will, in addition to its “upstream” action to encourage reflection on the development of the phenomena of racism and discrimination and the formulation of universal standards, be carrying out “downstream” activities to contribute to capacity-building for victims, mobilizing opinion leaders and decision-makers, and promoting public awareness in general. As part of these operational efforts, UNESCO will reinforce its cooperation with its traditional partners such as the National Commissions, UNESCO Clubs, the Associated Schools Network, UNESCO Chairs, the educational and scientific community, NGOs, women’s associations, and so forth, and will establish new partnerships with other social actors able to help it strengthen its presence and visibility in the field, including:

• youth organizations, with a view to launching exchange initiatives and meetings on the topic;

• city councils, with a view to setting up a network of cities united against racism and exclusion;

• sports organizations, including the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), with a view to the regular staging of sports events dedicated to combating racism and discrimination;

• artists, with a view to the organization of cultural events condemning racism;

• the private sector, in particular businesses which have signed the United Nations Global Compact, 24 with a view to the application of anti-discrimination measures and the sponsoring of activities and campaigns against racism and discrimination.

22. The strategy’s themes, fields of action and regional priorities will require the participation of the Organization’s programme sectors (social and human sciences, natural sciences, education, culture and communication). The new integrated strategy has accordingly been designed as a transdisciplinary exercise requiring close intersectoral cooperation and coordination. Since the strategy will be in place for at least six years, each sector/division/unit will define for each

24 The Global Compact, launched in 2000 by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, is designed to bring

together businesses and United Nations agencies, the world of work and civil society around nine universal principles relating to human rights, labour standards and the environment. Using the power of collective action, the Global Compact endeavours to promote the civic responsibility of businesses and the participation of the business world in the search for solutions to the problems arising from globalization. Principle No. 6 of the Compact concerns the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.

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biennium (beginning with 2004-2005) the priority themes, areas of intervention and activities that it plans to implement under its programme.

23. To make more effective use of available resources, actions under the new integrated strategy should be based on the past experience of each programme sector. In support of the new strategy, it will therefore be important to reinforce the units, sections, programmes and projects which have all along been dealing with the issue of racism, discrimination, xenophobia and intolerance.

24. To ensure follow-up to the present integrated strategy within the Organization, the Section to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination, established within the Division of Human Rights and Struggle against Discrimination, in the Social and Human Sciences Sector, will be responsible for coordinating implementation of the activities planned under the strategy, in cooperation with the programmes and services concerned, including the field offices, and the UNESCO National Commissions, and in consultation with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD).

25. A mid-term assessment on the implementation of the present strategy will be conducted. To that end each sector will, during its programming exercise, have to define evaluation indicators for the activities concerned.

26. Having examined the document entitled Development of an Integrated Strategy to Combat Racism, Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance (Document 32 C/13), the General Conference adopted the following resolution:

The General Conference,

Recalling the Declaration and Programme of Action adopted by the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance (Durban, South Africa, 31 August – 8 September 2001),

Referring to resolution 56/266 of 27 March 2002 in which the United Nations General Assembly endorsed “the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action” and invited “specialized agencies and related organizations of the United Nations system to strengthen and adjust, within their respective mandates, their activities, programmes and medium-term strategies to take into account the follow-up to the Conference”,

Recalling also 164 EX/Decision 3.4.2 of the Executive Board adopted in April 2002 inviting “the Director-General to develop ... an integrated strategy to combat racism, discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance in UNESCO’s fields of competence”,

Considering that fresh impetus must be lent to UNESCO’s efforts to combat racism, discrimination, xenophobia and intolerance, in close cooperation with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights,

Having taken cognizance of document 32 C/13 entitled Development of an integrated strategy to combat racism, discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance,

1. Approves the strategy submitted;

2. Invites Member States to take an active part in implementing the proposed strategy by initiating concrete projects based on the thematic choices and the regional priorities identified;

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3. Invites the Director-General still further to strengthen cooperation with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights by developing and undertaking joint projects to combat racism, discrimination, xenophobia and intolerance, and by disseminating widely the results of that work to the Member States;

4. Also invites the Director-General to give most particular attention to the Slave Route project in connection with the implementation of the present strategy and, above all, with the celebration in 2004 of the International Year to Commemorate the Struggle against Slavery and its Abolition;

5. Further invites the Director-General to increase cooperation with regional intergovernmental organizations with a view to preparing didactic and promotional materials facilitating implementation of the priorities defined in the integrated strategy at regional and national level, among them the countering of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia;

6. Appeals to the non-governmental organizations working with UNESCO to amplify their efforts to promote the values of peace, non-discrimination, tolerance and non-violence among different population groups and, above all, among young people;

7. Finally invites the Director-General, as a result of the discussions on documents 32 C/13 and 32 C/57, to report, if necessary, to the 170th session of the Executive Board about revised implementation measures started for the 2004-2005 biennium.

ANNEX

Instruments relating to racism, discrimination, xenophobia or intolerance on the list of UNESCO standard-setting texts (CL/3631)

• Convention against Discrimination in Education (14 December 1960), which was the first to provide an exhaustive definition of the term “discrimination”, described as “any distinction, exclusion, limitation or preference which, [is] based on race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, economic condition or birth”.

• Recommendation concerning Education for International Understanding, Cooperation and Peace and Education relating to Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (19 November 1974), which recommends, inter alia, that respect for the principles and values of non-discrimination should be inculcated in citizens of all ages.

• Recommendation on Participation by the People at Large in Cultural Life and their Contribution to It (26 November 1976), which reaffirms the right of all individuals, without exclusion or distinction, to have access to and to participate in cultural life.

• Declaration on Race and Racial Prejudice (1978), which reviews, in a single standard-setting instrument, the results of the scientific work and progress in policy-making on the issue. Apartheid was already described as a crime against humanity in this Declaration.

• Declaration on Fundamental Principles concerning the Contribution of the Mass Media to Strengthening Peace and International Understanding, to the Promotion of Human Rights and to Countering Racialism, Apartheid and Incitement to War (28 November 1978), which emphasizes the special responsibility of the media in that domain.

• Declaration of Principles on Tolerance (16 November 1995), which, given the new wave of intolerance and extremism, revitalizes the concept of tolerance by presenting it as an active attitude arising from recognition of and respect for the human rights of others.

• Universal Declaration on the Human Genome and Human Rights (11 November 1997), in response to the development of biotechnologies and the risk of new forms of discrimination based on genetic characteristics.

• UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity (2 November 2001), which is now considered one of the basic texts of a new ethic and represents the culmination of UNESCO’s long efforts in defence of cultural pluralism in its fields of competence.

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