Heritage

114 heritage for peace and reconciliation | manual for teacherContentswhether civil, cultural, economic, political or social. UNESCO is now recognized as aleader in this field within the United Nations system.Education is a fundamental human right, and essential for the exercise of all other humanrights. Human rights education is an integral part of the right to education, andis increasingly gaining recognition as a human right in itself. Knowledge of rights andfreedoms is considered a fundamental tool in guaranteeing respect for the rights of all.UNESCO’s work in human rights education is guided by the World Programme forHuman Rights Education. 1Education should encompass values such as peace, non-discrimination, equality, justice,non-violence, tolerance and respect for human dignity. Quality education basedon a human rights approach means that rights are implemented throughout the wholeeducation system and in all learning environments.UNESCO holds a Debate. Forest Whitaker (second from left), Oscar-winning actor andGoodwill Ambassador for the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization(UNESCO), speaks at the UNESCO-organized high-level debate, ‘Contemporary challengesand approaches to building a lasting culture of peace’. To the right of Mr Whitaker isUNESCO Director-General, Irina Bokova.© Rick Bajornas/ UN Photo1 Suggested reading: http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0014/001478/147853e.pdf and http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0021/002173/217350e.pdf