The Challenge of human rights education

This series is the result of a collaboration between the Council of Europe and Cassell. It comprises books on a wide range of educational material drawn largely from seminars and research which have been initiated and sponsored by the Council of Europe. The aims of the council are: to work for greater European unity; to uphold the principles of parliamentary democracy and human rights; to improve living conditions and promote human values; it also seeks to develop the common features shared by all the peoples of Europe: the European dimension to their lives. Education can make a vital contribution to the protection and promotion of human rights, making young people aware of their common heritage of political ideals and traditions, and equipping them with the knowledge, skills and attitudes that they will need if they are to play an active part in the operation and development of our democratic institutions. The Council of Europe has worked closely with teachers, specialists and non-governmental organizations to define how education systems, especially schools, can help to promote an active commitment to human rights and the principles of pluralistic democracy. This book addresses the keen and rapidly growing interest across Western and Eastern Europe in education for democratic values. It is written by some of the leading educationalists in Europe and North American, many of whom have been closely involved in the council of Europe's work in human rights education.