E/CN.4/1997/91 page 14 There are questions hanging over Turkey and Viet Nam which, in the Special Rapporteur's view, require thorough consideration as soon as possible. 59. Following up on visits already made is another important aspect of the mandate. 60. For this reason, the Special Rapporteur embarked in 1996 on follow-ups to his visits to China, Iran and Pakistan. Letters were sent to the permanent missions of the three countries asking for comments and information on action the authorities had planned or taken on the Special Rapporteur's recommendations (see A/51/542, annex I). He has had a reply from the Chinese authorities (see A/51/542, annex II), to whom he is duly grateful. The Iranian authorities have also cooperated, in consultations in Geneva, and the Special Rapporteur looks forward to receiving their comments and information in response to his letter. Lastly, he has noted the cooperative attitude of the Pakistani authorities at the latest session of the Commission on Human Rights and is hoping for a reply to his follow-up letter. 61. The Special Rapporteur counts on cooperation from all States in enabling him not only to make in situ visits but especially to follow up the visits already made. III. DEVELOPMENT OF A CULTURE OF TOLERANCE 62. As all forms of intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief have their birth in the human mind, so it is at human minds that action should initially be directed. 63. Education may be the prime means of combating discrimination and intolerance. It can be decisive in inculcating values predicated on human rights and fostering tolerant, non-discriminatory attitudes and behaviour, in individuals and groups, thus helping to spread the culture of human rights. In this sense, schools play an essential part in people's upbringing. Particular attention thus needs to be paid, throughout the world, to what school curricula and school books have to say about religious freedom and tolerance. 64. The Special Rapporteur is firmly convinced that lasting progress in tolerance and non-discrimination in matters of religion or belief can be brought about largely in school. 65. Accordingly, he conducted a survey, by means of a questionnaire addressed to States, on freedom of religion and belief from the standpoint of the curricula and textbooks used in primary or elementary and secondary educational institutions. The results of such a survey could help to shape an international educational strategy, centred on the definition and implementation of a common minimum curriculum of tolerance and non-discrimination, for combating all forms of intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief. 66. The Special Rapporteur has received replies from the following 79 States: Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Austria,