b) Resolutions adopted by the Conference (1968)

Resolution No. XX. Education of youth in the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms
(Adopted by the International Conference on Human Rights on the report of the Second Committee, 12 May 1968)

The International Conference on Human Rights,

Considering that the promotion, respect and development of human rights and fundamental freedoms are a significant aspiration for the contemporary world, the fulfilment of which implies changes in ways of thinking, the outlook of peoples and the stand they take towards the right of man,

Recalling that, in the Charter, the United Nations has affirmed its faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity of the human person and in equal rights for men and nations,

Reaffirming the principles embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international instruments of the United Nations and other competent institutions working for the rights of man,

Considering that the Universal Declaration was adopted in 1948 by the Member States represented at that time in the United Nations General Assembly and that eighteen years later the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which embody the principles of the Universal Declaration, were also adopted unanimously by a General Assembly with more than twice the membership of that of 1948,

Realizing, therefore, that the principles set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights represent ethics common to all members of the international community,

Taking into consideration that it is the hope of humanity that there should be in the future a world in which there does not exist any transgression of human rights and fundamental freedoms and that to that end it is imperative to implant in the consciousness of youth lofty ideals of human dignity and of equal rights for all persons without any discrimination,

Recalling the principles embodied in the United Nations Declaration on the Promotion among Youth the Ideals of Peace, Mutual Respect and Understanding between Peoples, and noting with satisfaction that UNESCO and other specialized agencies have been engaged in joint efforts to implement this Declaration,

Taking into consideration that youth is particularly sensitive to any infringement of human rights and appreciating its vocation and its legitimate desire to be useful to society and to have its full share in the accomplishment of the major humanitarian demands of our century, the fulfilment of which constitutes a primary condition for its happiness and for human progress in general,

Bearing in mind that nowadays, within the process of social, economic and spiritual renewal in which humanity is engaged, the enthusiasm and the creative spirit of youth must be dedicated to eliminating any kind of violation of human rights,

Convinced that youth must know, respect and develop all the good that humanity has achieved so far to reinforce respect for human personality,

Convinced furthermore that States, international organizations, youth organizations and society in general should undertake continuous and permanent efforts in order to educate youth in the spirit of the most noble ideals of humanity,

1. Calls upon States to ensure that all means of education should be employed so that youth grows up and develops in a spirit of respect for human dignity and for equal rights of all men and all peoples without discrimination as to race, colour, language, sex or faith;

2. Calls upon States to take all appropriate measures to prepare youth for social life, to stimulate its interest in the problems of the changing world and to secure for it an ever-growing and active share in the life and in the development of society;

3. Calls upon States to engage in directing wherever possible and encouraging information media, in order that youth may learn of the aspirations of the world of today and learn to appreciate human values and to understand other peoples and in order to strengthen its resolve to fight for the promotion of moral and spiritual health of society;

4. Calls upon States to promote among youth a broad dissemination of ideals and knowledge, based on objective information and free discussion, as an essential prerequisite for enhancing respect for the dignity of man and the variety of human culture;

5. Recommends the fulfilment of initiatives designed to promote amongst youth the most noble ideals of humanity by means of practical programmes instituted by States, the United Nations, its specialized agencies and especially UNESCO, and by youth organizations;

6. Invites UNESCO to develop its programmes aimed at making children aware from the time they start school, of respect for the dignity and rights of man and at making the principles of the Universal Declaration prevail at all levels of education, particularly in institutions of higher learning where the future cadres are trained;

7. Recommends the youth organizations should pay special attention to international gatherings and exchanges which should lead to better knowledge and better exchanges of views among the young in order to arouse in them an active interest in the cause of human rights and fundamental freedoms;

8. Recommends that the functional organs of the United Nations and of the specialized agencies concerned should start a detailed examination and study of the questions of the education of youth all over the world for the development of its personality and strengthening of its respect for the rights of man and fundamental freedoms;

9. Requests the Secretary-General of the United Nations to organize from time to time an exchange of information on the action taken by the different States in order to ensure that youth is educated and brought up in a spirit of respect for human rights everywhere, so that youth can freely direct its destiny;

10. Suggests that the Secretary-General should plan a series of biennial seminars for youth, under the programme of Advisory Services in the field of human rights, on subjects of special concern to youth.

Resolution No. XXV. Publicity for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
(Adopted by the International Conference on Human Rights on the report of the Second Committee, 12 May 1968)

The International Conference on Human Rights,

Recognizing that in order to make effective use of human rights, everyone must understand the nature of these rights and his responsibility to exercise and defend them in fulfilment of the dignity of man,

Believing that activities inspired by Human Rights Year, especially at the national and local levels, have opened the way for wider efforts to achieve the objectives set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,

Appreciating also the many affirmations of freedom and justice which have become the precious heritage of nations, and continue an inspiration to their peoples,

1. Urges every Government to make the Universal Declaration of Human Rights available to its citizens, together with the great national documents of freedom which have meaning in its own history and present experience;

2. Invites the Secretary-General of the United Nations to continue to keep Members informed of the many languages in which the Universal Declaration is available, and to provide translations into additional languages if needed;

3. Invites UNESCO to consider the possibility, as part of its programme for advancing human rights, of publishing a list of official texts and relevant material, including radio programmes, records, tapes and other items which are suitable for use by those who are not yet literate and which are available from the United Nations and the specialized agencies so that libraries and reference centres might keep them on hand for writers, teachers, organizations and others interested in promoting the objectives of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;

4. Suggests that the Commission on Human Rights invite Governments to include in their periodic reports on human rights information on the dissemination of the Universal Declaration in their countries.