Strasbourg, 25 July 2011
Round Table
with the National Human Rights Structures of Council of Europe member States
to discuss possibilities for enhanced cooperation in the context of the Interlaken
Action Plan to support the European Convention on Human Rights system
Madrid, Palacio del Senado, Calle Bailén, Sala de Europa
21-22 September 2010
OUTLINE PAPER
on perspectives for an active role by National Human Rights Structures in promoting
human rights education as a preventative measure
A Round Table hosted by the Spanish Defender of the People (Ombudsman)
1. Background
Effective citizenship and human rights education can help preventing a considerable number of human
rights violations. It can also help to strengthen human rights protection mechanisms. It is in this
perspective that the Council of Europe Charter on Education for Democratic Citizenship and
Human Rights Education was adopted in the framework of Recommendation CM/Rec(2010)7,
as part of the decisions aimed to help implementing the Interlaken Declaration and Action Plan.
The Charter emphasises the importance of “not just equipping learners with knowledge, understanding
and skills, but also empowering them with the readiness to take action in society in the defence and
promotion of human rights, democracy and the rule of law” – which are the core values of the Council
of Europe. Such empowering requires in-depth change in educational policy and practice, based on
concerted actions of many stakeholders, including decision makers, education professionals, civil
society and youth organisations.
The objectives of the Charter include the following: providing every person with the opportunity of
citizenship and human rights education; promoting democratic governance of educational institutions;
ensuring ongoing development for education professionals and youth leaders in the principles and
practices of citizenship and human rights education; and promoting partnerships and co-operation.
The Charter outlines policies that are needed to achieve these objectives, and proposes approaches
to evaluation and follow up activities in respect to citizenship and human rights education. The Charter
highlights the importance of empowerment and active participation of learners, be it in respect of the
democratic governance of educational institutions, partnerships and collaboration, research or indeed
evaluation of effectiveness of programmes on citizenship and human rights education.
The Charter was developed in the framework of the Council of Europe Programme on Citizenship and
Human Rights Education. In 2006-2009, the main focus of the Programme was the development of a
comprehensive set of guidelines and tools for various stakeholders, from policy-makers to education
professionals and civil society organisations. The adoption of the Charter in 2010 builds on the
common understanding and commitment that was developed by the member states during this phase,
and provides a framework and spur for future action. The development of partnerships with key actors
in the member states, with other international institutions and organisations was also of primary
importance during this phase. In 2010-14, the main focus is on the development of sustainable
mechanisms for the promotion and implementation of the Charter, including the following:
1) compilation of a report on the Charter’s implementation based on a questionnaire to be filled in
by the member states
2) organisation of regular implementation conferences, to discuss the conclusions of the report
mentioned above and to propose priorities for future action (the first one is foreseen in 2012)
3) pilot projects (based on exchange of experience between two partner countries)
4) website and other communication activities
The Council of Europe works in close cooperation with other international institutions in this field. In
particular, it provides a secretariat to the International contact group on citizenship and human rights
education (which consists at present of the OHCHR, UNESCO, OSCE/ODIHR, E.C., EU FRA and the
Council of Europe). The aim of the contact group is to ensure complementarity and to promote
synergies and co-operation.
2. Objectives
Many National Human Rights Structures have human rights awareness and human rights education
as part of their mandate, and have developed a wealth of experience in this area, which will be an
invaluable help to the Council of Europe in planning and developing its work in this field. The overall
objective of this workshop is to discuss how the Council of Europe Charter on Education for
Democratic Citizenship and Human Rights Education can be used by the National Human
Rights Structures to support and promote further development of citizenship and human rights
education in the member states. For this, they will be invited to share information on current
challenges and opportunities in this area, to discuss their needs in terms of information and support,
and to make recommendations for the implementation strategy for the Charter.
3. Expected outcome

Recommendations on NHRS involvement in the implementation strategy for the Council of
Europe Charter on Education for Democratic Citizenship and Human Rights Education
4. Background documents
Recommendation CM/Rec(2010)7 on the Council of Europe Charter on Education for Democratic
Citizenship and Human Rights Education
http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/education/edc/Links/charter_adopted_en.asp#TopOfPage
Strategic support for decision makers - Policy tool for education for democratic citizenship and human
rights (2010)
http://book.coe.int/EN/ficheouvrage.php?PAGEID=36&lang=EN&produit_aliasid=2556
Human Rights Education in the School Systems of Europe, Central Asia and North America: A
Compendium of Good Practice (published by the OHCHR, UNESCO, OSCE/ODIHR and the Council
of Europe, with HREA)
http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/education/edc/1_What_is_EDC_HRE/general_announcement2_2oct09_en.as
p#TopOfPage