First UN Forum on Minority Issues
Minorities and the Right to Education
Legal Framework
by Kishore Singh, UNESCO
15 December 2008
UNESCO Instruments
UNESCO Convention against Discrimination in Education – (Art. 5 c)
> Right of national minorities to carry on their own educational activities
> Understanding the culture and language of the community as a whole
Other Instruemts adopted by UNESCO
Dakar Framework for Action
> Collective commitment for right to education of minority children
Experience in Monitoring the implementation of the right to education of Minorities
Results of the Seventh Consultation of Member States on the measures taken for the
implementation of 1960 Convention (covering the period 2000-2005)
Inclusive dimensions of the right to education and rights of minorities
Ethnic, cultural and linguistic minorities,
Disadvantaged, marginalized groups and minorities
Universal right to education, without discrimination or exclusion