A/HRC/23/56 I. Introduction 1. The Special Rapporteur has previously noted that education is central to preventing and combating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, given its role in creating new values and attitudes. As a follow-up to his commitment to focus on both prevention and enforcement mechanisms in combating racism and racial discrimination, the Special Rapporteur has chosen to focus on the role and place of education, a decision reinforced by the Human Rights Council, which has requested him to address the role of education in preventing racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance in his reports; and encourages States and other stakeholders to provide the Special Rapporteur with information on good practices undertaken.1 2. The Special Rapporteur believes that education has the powerful potential to address deep-rooted discrimination and the legacy of historical injustices, as well as to act as a means to enable individuals and groups to lift themselves out of poverty. As stated in the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (para. 97), education that is sensitive to, and respects cultural diversity, plays an essential role in the prevention and eradication of all forms of intolerance and discrimination. 3. The present report is submitted pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 16/33. It examines the issue of education in relation to racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. Chapter II provides a summary of the activities of the Special Rapporteur from 4 September 2012 to 28 January 2013. In chapter III, the Special Rapporteur presents the international framework relating to racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, and education. Chapter IV addresses the issue of the equal access to quality education and the challenges faced by disadvantaged and discriminated groups. Chapter V considers the contexts that impact on the full enjoyment of the right to education without discrimination. Chapter V and chapter VI contains the Special Rapporteur‟s conclusions and recommendations. II. Activities of the Special Rapporteur A. Country visits 4. The Special Rapporteur would like to thank the Government of Mauritania, which has accepted his request for a follow-up country visit. He hopes to undertake the follow-up fact-finding mission to Mauritania before the end of 2013. In February 2012, the Government of Sudan has also accepted the visit request of the Special Rapporteur. The Special Rapporteur hopes that he will be able to carry out the visit to Sudan in the course of his mandate. 5. The Special Rapporteur renewed the request to visit South Africa, for which he is still awaiting a response from the Government. The initial request to visit South Africa was sent by his predecessor on 9 September 2008. The Special Rapporteur also sent a request for a follow-up visit to Italy, and visit requests to Algeria, Botswana, Greece, India, Kyrgyzstan, Morocco, Nepal, Poland, Thailand and Tunisia. 1 See Human Rights Council resolution 22/34. 3