Strategic support for decision makers - Policy tool for education for democratic citizenship and human rights (2010)

Citizenship and human rights education are among society's strongest defences against the rise of violence, discrimination and intolerance. However, their aims, objectives and approaches are not always understood and their implications for policy and practice only partially recognised.This policy tool explains what citizenship and human rights education are about and what they mean in terms of policy making in a lifelong learning perspective, namely, in the different phases of education and training - whether formal, informal or non-formal - from general education to vocational training and higher education to adult education. It sets out a policy cycle involving policy design and implementation, as well as policy review and sustainability.This tool aims to provide support to key decision makers in member states -ministers, parliamentarians and government officials. It can, however, be used by anyone involved in designing, implementing and reviewing relevant policies, whether in government and international organisations, education and training institutions, non-governmental organisations and youth organisations.