To the participants
of the 8th International Session
on Human Rights and Culture of Peace Education

The twenty-first century is upon us. We can only look back to the many unsolved problems and unanswered questions of the passing millennium. It can only be hoped, that in the future millennium there be no wars and violence; that democratic principles turn into universal values and that human rights and freedoms become part of the daily lives of all peoples.

As laid down by its Constitution, UNESCO is dedicated "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." Enlightenment and education in the field of human rights and a culture of peace have become essential.

The United Nations paid special importance to the task of raising awareness about human rights and freedoms. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, whose 50th Anniversary we celebrate this December, states that "Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms".

The UN General Assembly proclaimed 1995-2004 as the "UN Decade for Human Rights Education" in the implementation of the Plan of Action of which UNESCO is playing an important role. UNESCO itself is carrying out a Transdisciplinary Project "Towards a Culture of Peace". The formation of a culture of peace is a long process of changes in mentality and behavior. Therefore the key is education.

A transition to a culture of peace requires universal co-operation with the active involvement of many countries and international organizations. When these forces come together, we shall finally have both the skills and resources to find solutions to global problems. This movement requires active support and constant participation from a large network dedicated to peace-making and human rights.

Non-governmental organizations play a crucial role in this movement. They have the power to bring the issues of human rights to the surface of national, regional and international politics. For your country two very important events are UNESCO's Programme on "A Culture of Peace in Russia -Year 2000" and the International Year for the Culture of Peace which was proclaimed by the United Nations. The National Scientific and Methodical Conference on Human Rights Education held in Moscow in June and July 1998 and the adoption of the Recommendations for Human Rights Education were also pivotal events in Russia for this field. I would hope that these two events will be a basis of a national plan of action in the field of human rights and a culture of peace.

With much pleasure I would like to greet the participants of the 8th International Session on Human Rights and Culture of Peace Education which is carried out by the Moscow School of Human Rights, the Academy for Upgrading Professional Standards and Retraining of Educators, the Ministry of Education, and the UNESCO Chair for Human Rights, Democracy, and Peace (Moscow State University of International Relations, Russia). You have come from the different cities of Russia, from the Community of Independent States, from countries of Europe, America and Asia. Your joint work gives us hope that representatives of different cultures, languages, traditions, political and legal systems will better understand each other and assist in strengthening peace on the planet.

I would also like to note the participation of youth in the work of the session. Within the framework of the national competition of students' essays on a theme "Human Rights and the Future of Russia", hundreds of works were received from all regions of the country. I welcome the winners and participants of the competition, young people, who grow up in a new society free from stereotypes of the past. This competition was created to attract students' attention to human rights, basic freedoms, ideals of the rule of law, democracy, a culture of peace, and should promote the strengthening of the universal values of citizens responsible for the fate of mankind in the 21st century.

I hope that, together, we can work towards our common ideals and for this, extend to you my best wishes for the future success in your endeavours.

Francine Fournier,
Assistant Director General of UNESCO
for Social and Human Science

© Moscow School of Human Rights, 1997-2001. Latest update: 09/02/99