Third day
Participants reflected on HRE lobbying and practice. Regarding lobbying, it was acknowledged the good work already done by HRE practitioners but there is still a need to reinforce practices. It was again pointed out the existence of different conceptualizations of the aims and objectives of education and the need to reflect on the definition of HRE.
There was also common consensus on the need to reinforce HRE among professional groups (especial reference was made to the armed forces), and not only focus on HRE in the schools system, since severe HR violations are committed by adults. Yet, it was recalled that parliamentarians are the ones who have the power to change legislation and hence they should also be targeted. It was also pointed out the need for inter-regional dialogue and cooperation, both at NGO and state level. A call for joint efforts at the UN level among agencies was also made.
Acknowledging that key role of resources to an effective work on HRE, it was highlighted the need to lobby the Human Rights Council to have a specific budget for HRE. It was also recalled the need to reinforce capacity for action and to develop alliances among relevant actors in order to push states to fulfill their obligations with regard to HRE.
Representatives of two NGOs, viz., Human Rights Watch and CONGO, were invited to make a brief presentation on the current situation of the UN human rights system reform and the work of non-governmental organizations before the HR Council, as recognized in paragraph 11 of GA resolution 60/251. They pointed out the fact that the country delegates before the UN and the HR Council in particular are not experts on human rights, but diplomats. They both agreed on acknowledging a lack of accountability for what happens in Geneva. It was suggested that it would be very useful to have guidelines on how to address HRE within the Special Procedures mechanisms. This could be a task for HRE practitioners. Furthermore, reference was made to an existing NGO working group on HRE which is part of CONGO and it is composed of 25 organizations.
Ms. Elena Ippoliti, from the UN Office of the High Commmissioner for human Rights, also made a presentation on the World Programme on Human Rights Education and the implementation of its Plan of Action by member states. Ms. Ippoliti also briefly mentioned the mechanisms for NGOs to work with the HR Council. So far, very few member states have taken any action in order to implement the Plan of Action of the World Programme. Hence, Ms. Ippoliti encouraged participants to lobby their respective governments on their commitment to implement the Plan of Action and eventually get involved in it.
Finally, the President of the Human Rights Council, Ambassador De Alba, met with the participants. He shared with them his views on the brand new HRCouncil and the potential opportunities for NGOs to work closely with it. President De Alba said the period March-June 2007 will be the most appropriate for trying to get NGOs on board in the work of the Council on HRE. Likewise, De Alba referred to the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) as a potential instrument for pursuing HRE aims, and encouraged the experts to take an active role in shaping this mechanism. On behalf of the participants, Yves Lador made a brief presentation to De Alba on the aims of the seminar and the purpose of presenting a position paper to the HR Council.