A/HRC/12/33 page 6 Freedoms (art. 2), Additional Protocol to the American Convention on Human Rights in the Area of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (art. 13), the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (art. 17) and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (art. 11). B. The aims and objectives of education 12. All education, whether formal or non-formal, private or public, should be directed towards the aims and objectives of education, as reflected in article 13 (1) of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and article 29 (1) of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, including the full development of the human personality, sense of dignity and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. 13. Human rights education is an integral aspect for the promotion and achievement of stable and harmonious relations among communities and for fostering mutual understanding, tolerance and peace. Learning about human rights is the first step towards respecting, promoting and defending the rights of all individuals and peoples.6 14. The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights emphasizes that States parties to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights are required to ensure education conforms to the aims and objectives identified in article 13 (1), as interpreted in the light of other international instruments containing provisions on the right to education. The Committee takes the view that, while these other texts closely correspond to article 13 (1) of the Covenant, they also include elements that are not expressly provided for in article 13 (1), such as specific references to gender equality (article 29 (1) (d) of the Convention on the Rights of the Child) and respect for the natural environment (article 29 (1) (e) of the Convention on the Rights of the Child). These additional elements are implicit in and reflect a contemporary interpretation of article 13 (1) of the International Covenant.7 15. Article 29 (1) of the Convention on the Rights of the Child establishes the obligations of States parties to ensure that the aims and objectives of education are fulfilled. Article 29 (1) is indispensably interconnected with a number of other provisions of the Convention, such as, but not limited to, the following rights and freedoms: (a) non-discrimination (art. 2); (b) the best interest of the child (art. 3); (c) the right to life, survival and development (art. 6); (d) freedom of expression (art. 13); (e) freedom of thought (art. 14); (f) right to information (art. 17); (g) rights of children with disabilities (art. 23); (h) right to education for health (art. 24 (2) (e)); (i) right to education (art. 28); (j) linguistic, cultural and religious rights of children belonging to minorities and children of indigenous origin (art. 30); and (k) the right to play (art. 31). C. Access to and content of education 16. Article 13 (2) of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights stipulates, while taking into account the conditions prevailing in the State concerned, that in 6 World Conference on Human Rights (1993), Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action. 7 E/C.12/1999/10.