9th session of IGWG Fourth draft of conclusions and recommendations as of 28 October 2011 Item 6: Thematic discussion on the role of education in combating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance The WG reiterates the necessity of taking concrete actions for the effective implementation of provisions of the DDPA relevant to the role of education in combating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, in particular paragraphs 121-124, 129 and 132 of the Durban Programme of Action. The Working Group emphasizes the importance of the DDPA as an instrumental source for education and strongly encourages Member States and other relevant stakeholders to consider the DDPA and the Outcome Documents of the Durban Review Conference in the elaboration of educational programmes and plans. The Working Group recognizes the important role of education in combating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, in particular in promoting the principles of tolerance and respect to ethnic, religious and cultural diversity and preventing the proliferation of extremist racist and xenophobic movements and propaganda, especially among the youth. The Working Group commends the important role played by UNESCO in relation to education against racism, in particular the Slave Route Project and its theme of “Breaking the silence”, which immensely contribute to education on the history of slavery and trans-Atlantic, Mediterranean and Indian Ocean slave trades. The Working Group further encourages OHCHR to collaborate with UNESCO and other relevant stakeholders to design and issue age-appropriate educational materials aimed at increasing awareness of the DDPA and the OD of the Durban Review Conference for the use of children and young people and also to disseminate the aforementioned materials widely, including online. The Working Group calls on States to ensure equality and non-discrimination with regard to access to education, training and career development in education. The Working Group urges States to take all appropriate measures to eliminate obstacles limiting access to good quality education and further urges States to commit resources to eliminate, where they exist, inequalities in educational outcomes. The Working Group also encourages States and relevant stakeholders to ensure that women and girls can fully exercise their human rights in all spheres of public life in line with relevant provisions of the DDPA and the Outcome Document of the Durban Review Conference and thereby promote their access to education and training at all levels. The Working Group notes the positive contribution made by the new information and communications technologies, including Internet as educational tools, in combating racism through rapid and wide-reaching communication and encourages all stakeholders, including Governments and OHCHR to use these technologies to combat manifestations of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance in cyber space. The Working Group invites stakeholders, in particular Governments, to ensure cross-cultural interactions and genuine dialogue within educational initiatives as promoted by the Alliance of Civilizations launched by the SG of the UN in 2006. The Working Group encourages Governments to develop creative educational tools to promote appreciation of diversity among youth. The Working Group emphasizes the important role of formal and non-formal education for deconstruction of prejudices, positive change of negative perceptions, enhanced understanding and social cohesion. To this end, the Working Group encourages States to implement educational activities and measures including human rights training at various levels and sectors to prevent and combat effectively racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. The Working Group encourages States to promote accurate reflection of history in education so as to avoid stereotypes and distortion or falsification of historic facts, which may lead to racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. The Working Group notes the complex linkages between education, identity-building and outbreak of conflicts. In this regard, the Working Group encourages Governments to ensure that textbooks and other educational materials reflect accurately historical facts, as they relate to past tragedies and atrocities, in particular those falling under the categories listed in paragraph 99 and other relevant paragraphs of the DDPA. The Working Group encourages the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to assist stakeholders to provide human rights education or training with a strong anti-discrimination component for students in schools and universities, journalists, state officials, civil servants, judges, law enforcement officials and military personnel, humanitarian workers, staff involved in peacekeeping and peace-building operations, as well as for teachers, trainers and other educators and private personnel acting on behalf of the States. The Working Group notes the importance of focusing on effective prevention of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance during such trainings, in accordance with the provisions of ICERD and DDPA. _ _ _   \* MERGEFORMAT 1