Human rights education is a lifelong process that builds knowledge and skills, as well as attitudes and behaviours, to promote and uphold human rights. This definition guides the World Programme for Human Rights Education, a global initiative of the United Nations which, since 2005, has encouraged concrete measures to integrate human rights education in all sectors. The emphasis of the World Programme’s first phase (2005–2009) was on the school system. Building on the achievements of those five years, the second phase (2010–2014) focuses on those who further mentor tomorrow’s citizens and leaders, such as higher education institutions, as well as on those who have a major responsibility for respecting, protecting and fulfilling the rights of others – from civil servants and law enforcement officials to the women and men serving in the military. In adopting the Plan of Action for the second phase at the Human Rights Council in September 2010, United Nations Member States agreed to strengthen human rights education in these sectors through the development and review of policies and practices. The Plan of Action provides Governments and others with practical guidance on how to do so in terms of process and contents.
