General Information

The Asian Forum on Human Rights ‘Outcomes of the Seventieth Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Challenges and Reality’ was held in Samarkand City on November 22 and 23, 2018. The Asian Human Rights Forum was attended by representatives of international organizations including the UN, OHCHR, IOM, ILO, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, the OSCE/ODIHR, the Asian Parliamentary Assembly, the OIC IPHRC and the CIS, as well as foreign experts from 20 countries. 

The Samarkand Human Rights Declaration was adopted by the participants of the Asian Human Rights Forum, and approved by the UN General Assembly on February 6, 2019, as a document of the 73rd session.

According to the results of the Asian Forum, it was noted that it is important and necessary for this forum to be conducted on a regular basis, in order to strengthen international and regional cooperation within the field of human rights.

On December 10, 2022, a worldwide campaign begins to celebrate the 75^th Anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, proclaiming for the first time in the history of mankind the need to protect fundamental human rights.

Following the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the international community recognizes human rights and fundamental freedoms and works to ensure their implementation through the norms and mechanisms of international human rights law. One of these rights, the right to education, serves as the foundation for the enjoyment of all other human rights. Human rights education, the right to learn about these rights, and methods and means to protect and promote human rights in our communities are all part of it. Human rights education and training is a lifelong process affecting people of all ages.

Human rights education provisions have been incorporated into many international instruments and instruments, culminating in the adoption by the UN General Assembly in December 2011 of the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Education and Training, which states that:

every person and every organ of society should strive to promote respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms through education and training;

every person has the right to education and that education should be directed to the full development of the human personality and a sense of dignity, to enable all persons to be useful participants in a free society and to promote mutual understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations and all racial, ethnic or religious groups, and to contribute to the work of the United Nations in the maintenance of peace and security and the promotion of development and human rights.

Adopting the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Education and Training, Member States had delivered a strong message that human rights education and training were a priority for  the  international  community  and  for  all  States. The Declaration reaffirmed  the responsibility of States to promote and ensure human rights education and training and to create a safe and enabling environment for the engagement of all relevant actors, including educational institutions, civil society organizations, national human rights institutions and the private sector. 

The initiative to hold a Global Forum was put forward by President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the 76^th session of the UN General Assembly and 46^th session of the Human Rights Council.

Human rights education and training is fundamental to promoting universal respect for and respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, in accordance with the principles of the universality, indivisibility and interdependence of human rights. Human rights education is participatory and student-centered, equipping them with the knowledge and essential skills needed for reflection and practice. It allows people to learn about their rights and demand their effective satisfaction, helps government officials and others responsible for protecting and enforcing rights to understand how important it is to fulfill these obligations. It is essential to ensure the full participation of people in all decision-making processes that affect their lives - political, economic, social, cultural and environmental, and to prevent crime, violence and conflict.

The Declaration places on states the primary responsibility for “promoting and providing human rights education and training”.

The ideas and principles of this Declaration have influenced many areas of international activity in the field of education.

Another important document aimed at education is the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Sustainable Development Goal 4 calls for inclusive and equitable quality education and the promotion of lifelong learning opportunities for all, so that young people have access to free, quality education and training. Acquiring education lays the foundation for improving the socio-economic conditions of people and plays a key role in bringing about a way out of poverty.

Target 7 of Goal 4 on inclusive and equitable quality education states: “By 2030 ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development”.

On December 10, 2004, the UN General Assembly launched the World Programme for Human Rights Education to promote human rights education programs across all sectors. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is the global coordinator of the World Programme.

The World Programme is an ongoing, incremental initiative to promote human rights education programs across all sectors and Member States should continue to mainstream human rights education in primary and secondary school systems, higher education and in human rights training programs for teachers and educators, civil servants, law enforcement and military personnel at all levels, and media representatives.

The World Programme for Human Rights Education is a useful tool that can assist in strengthening the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Education and Training at the national level.

The World Programme is structured in sequential steps to further focus national human rights education efforts on specific sectors and issues:

the first phase (2005-2009) related to human rights education in primary and secondary schools;

the second phase (2010-2014) was devoted to human rights education in the higher education system and professional training programs for teachers and educators, civil servants, law enforcement officials and military personnel;

the third phase (2015-2019), special attention was paid to the training of media personnel in the field of human rights in recognition of the vital role of free, independent and pluralistic media in promoting justice, non-discrimination, respect and human rights;

From 2020 to 2024, the fourth phase of the World Program for Human Rights Education is being implemented, which aims to educate and educate young people in the spirit of equality, respect for human rights and non-discrimination, allowing to create an inclusive peaceful society.

The United Nations Youth Strategy 2018 is committed the United Nations to step up efforts to advance and promote respect for the rights of young people and to support  their  civic  and  political engagement, including through human rights education.

Human rights education is an important strategy to empower young people as agents of change and who uphold their human rights and those of others. Enhancing efforts to implement human rights education for, with and by youth, using the plan of action of the fourth phase of the World Programme as a benchmark to support stocktaking and further action, is a vital investment for a peaceful, just and sustainable future.

During the fourth phase of the World Program, States and relevant stakeholders are encouraged to intensify their efforts to make progress in the implementation of the previous three phases, with particular emphasis on:

making progress in implementation - with a focus on women, girls and children - and engaging with groups and people in vulnerable situations, in line with the “leaving no one behind” goal of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; and consolidation of the work done;

providing education and training on human rights for teachers through formal and non-formal education and training, in particular for those working with children and youth;

conducting relevant research and evaluations, sharing best practices and lessons learned, and disseminating information to all actors.

In addition, the role of education in the promotion and protection of human rights is emphasized in many international documents of UNESCO, ILO.

In recent years, in order to fulfill the obligations assumed under international treaties in the field of human rights, Uzbekistan has been implementing systemic measures aimed at teaching human rights. In particular, in 2019, the National Action Program and the "Roadmap" were adopted to implement the provisions of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Education and Training.

By the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated June 22, 2020, the National Strategy of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Human Rights was adopted, which provides for the implementation of 78 specific measures. They are closely related to the tasks of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals for the period up to 2030, Uzbekistan's entry into the top 50 countries of the world in terms of international ratings and indices in the field of human rights and freedoms, and others.

Within the framework of the National Strategy, the Ministry of Higher and Secondary Specialized Education and the Ministry of Public Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan are entrusted with the tasks of introducing in higher educational institutions, institutions specialized in advanced training and retraining of personnel (universities, institutes, centers, faculties, courses), as well as institutions general secondary and secondary specialized, vocational education of training courses (textbooks) "Human Rights", "Women's Rights", "Children's Rights".

Resolution of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan No.5664 dated June 7, 2021 "On the formation of the National Commission for the Implementation of the fourth phase of the World Programme for Human Rights Education in the Republic of Uzbekistan" provides for the development of a National Human rights Education Program taking into account the norms of international treaties and standards, recommendations of UN human rights structures, as well as historical, national and cultural values of Uzbek society.

The National Human Rights Centre of the Republic of Uzbekistan has prepared a draft of the National Human Rights Education Program of the Republic of Uzbekistan and a Roadmap for the implementation of the National Human Rights Education Program of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Taking into account the commitments made by the country within the framework of the above-mentioned international documents, in order to effectively implement the tasks outlined in the National Strategy of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Human Rights, as well as new challenges and problems generated by the pandemic and its consequences, the question arises of developing new approaches, new methodologies and practices in the organization and content of human rights education.

PURPOSE, OBJECTIVES, FORMAT, EXPECTED RESULTS GLOBAL FORUM

The main purpose of the Forum is to summarize the interim results of the implementation of the UN Declaration on Education and Training in the Field of Human Rights and the UN World Program in the Field of Human Rights Education, presentation of best practices, practices and innovative approaches in this area, exchange of views and development of recommendations for improving the system of education and training in the field of human rights at the international, regional and national levels.

According the UN Human Rights Council Resolution 51/2 “World Programme for Human Rights Education”, 6 October, 2022, the Forum will discuss proposals on the target sectors, focus areas or thematic human rights issues for the fifth phase of the World Programme, bearing in mind possible synergies with the 2030 Agenda and other relevant initiatives on human rights education and training.

Forum Objectives:

discussion of international, regional and national experience and approaches to teaching human rights related to the implementation of the provisions of the UN Declaration on education and training in the field of human rights;

exploring the contribution of human rights education and training to solving current problems, in particular discrimination and prevention of violent extremism;

analysis of information on the implementation of human rights education and training at the national level in recent years and preparation of proposals;

sharing information at all levels, including by identifying, collecting and disseminating information on best practices and lessons learned, as well as existing materials, institutions and programs;

giving proposals on the target sectors, focus areas or thematic human rights issues for the fifth phase of the World Programme in the Field of Human Rights Education;

giving further impetus to the national implementation of human rights education and training in the coming years, in line with the UN Declaration on Human Rights Education and Training and Target 4.7 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Format of the Global Forum

In accordance with the initiative of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan at the 76th session of the UN General Assembly and 46th session of the Human Rights Council, on December 5-6, 2022,  Global Forum "Human Rights Education" will be held on hybrid format in Samarkand under the auspices of the UN OHCHR.

This format will enable a larger audience, experts in the field to connect virtually from all over the world and take part in its discussion sessions.

The Global Forum will include opening and closing ceremonies, plenary and parallel sessions with the participation of international experts, specialists, representatives of government agencies, specialized educational institutions, NGOs and other civil society institutions, and dignitaries.

During plenary and parallel sessions, moderators will play a key role in maintaining focused discussions by actively engaging the audience, using social media where possible.

These discussions will provide an opportunity to exchange information at all levels, including by identifying, collecting and disseminating information on good practices and lessons learned, as well as existing materials, institutions and programs.

During the Global Forum, it is planned to develop recommendations for improving the system of education and training in the field of human rights at the international, regional and national levels, as well as for further impetus to the national implementation of education and training in the field of human rights in the coming years in accordance with the UN Declaration on Education and Training on human rights and Target 4.7 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Program of the Global Forum "Human Rights Education".

Within the framework of the Forum, it is planned to hold 2 Plenary Sessions:

Plenary session No. 1

Within the framework of UN Declaration on Human Rights Education and Training: Achievements and Contemporary Challenges, which will discuss the implementation of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Education and Training: principles and approaches to ensure effective human rights learning, as well as achievements, lessons and conclusions learned, taking into account the development of technologies and contemporary challenges in the field of human rights education in various parts of the world

Plenary session No. 2

Improving the system of education and training in the field of human rights at the international, regional, and national levels, within which an exchange of views and recommendations for improving the system of education and training in the field of human rights at the international, regional, and national levels will take place.

Parallel 4 sessions "Variety and consistency of principles and approaches of formal human rights education in the world, in the region and on national level " will be organized within the Forum's framework, where the following questions will be discussed:

human rights education for school-age children: principles, approaches and contemporary challenges;

education in the field of human rights in higher educational institutions: principles, approaches and modern challenges (COVID-19, technology, Internet resources, and the rapidly changing geopolitical picture of the world);

ensuring continuous human rights education through professional institutions (courts, law enforcement, advocacy): principles, approaches and contemporary challenges;

Non-formal human rights education for civil society: principles, approaches and contemporary challenges (focusing on gender, inclusiveness, migration and media)

During the plenary and parallel sessions, the best practices of human rights education at the universal, regional (Asia, America, Africa, Europe) and national levels will be presented.

Human  rights  education  in  non-formal  settings  plays  an  important  role  and complements  significantly  human  rights  learning  in  formal  education  by  extending access,  particularly  for  youth  in  situations  of  exclusion  and  vulnerability,  and  by offering a platform to experiment with new methodologies.

Furthermore, on the second day of the Forum, it is planned to hold "Master classes on human rights," in which human rights professors from various universities of the world will hold master classes in the teaching of human rights in law schools of Uzbekistan (Tashkent, Samarkand, Namangan, Nukus, Termez, etc.). Participants shall be provided with online and offline access to these master classes. The announcement of such lectures will be held early before the start of the Forum. 

Expected results:

to sum up the results of the implementation of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Education and Training and the UN World Program for Human Rights Education;

analyze the scope of application of existing international and regional instruments and approaches to human rights education;

to promote in the international arena the experience and best practices in the field of human rights education;

to highlight the key tasks for various groups for the implementation of the UN World Program for Human Rights Education;

adjust educational programs and recommendations taking into account post-pandemic trends;

recommend concrete proposals on the target sectors, focus areas or thematic human rights issues for the fifth phase of the World Programme in the Field of Human Rights Education;

 to develop recommendations for improving the education and training system in the field of human rights at the international, regional and national levels.

Organization of the Forum

National key organizer of the Forum: The Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan, represented by the National Center for Human Rights of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

International partners:

Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, OHCHR Regional Office for Central Asia, UN Country Team, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, UNICEF, Council of Europe, F. Ebert Foundation and other international partners.

Participants

The Forum involves the participation of national and foreign experts, representatives of national human rights institutions, the scientific community, civil society institutions, the media, professors and students of educational institutions, and representatives of international and regional organizations.

Online registration of the Forum participants is carried out on the website www.asianforum.uz  

Date and venue:

5-6 December 2022, Samarkand

Working languages: 

Uzbek, English and Russian

Contact information:

National Centre of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights:

E-mail: info@nhrc.uz

Phone / Fax: (+ 998 71) 239 47 22