News
New joint publication on Curriculum Development and Review for Democratic Citizenship and Human Rights Education
UNESCO and the Council of Europe, the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and the Organization of American States have jointly produced a new publication titled Curriculum Development and Review for Democratic Citizenship and Human Rights Education.
Education for democratic citizenship and human rights education plays a capital role towards the achievement of peaceful, sustainable and inclusive societies, based on respect for the human rights of all. This publication was developed in order to support Member States to foster citizenship and human rights education and improve access to quality education for all. It provides valuable insights and inspiration to education stakeholders, especially curriculum developers. It explores current trends, aiming to facilitate the exchange of experiences and improve access to expertise in advancing curriculum development and reform in the field of democratic citizenship and human rights education.
Despite the diversity of contexts in Member States, there are commonalities which make it possible to identify key steps in the development of curriculum and planning for implementation. There are also fundamental processes that reflect the key principles of democratic citizenship and respect for human rights, including active consultation with all those concerned and efforts at transparency. Inclusive processes for developing curricula in this area help to ensure the legitimacy and effectiveness of the policies adopted.
The publication supports the UN Secretary-General’s Global Education First Initiative and the fostering of global citizenship.
