A/RES/58/181 Convinced that human rights education contributes to a holistic concept of development consistent with the dignity of people of all ages, which contributes to the promotion of the rights of those in the most vulnerable segments of society, such as children, young persons, older persons, indigenous people, minorities, the rural and urban poor, migrant workers, refugees, persons with HIV/AIDS and disabled persons, Convinced also that the effectiveness of existing human rights education and public information activities would be enhanced by better coordination and cooperation at the national, regional and international levels, Recognizing the invaluable, creative and active role that non-governmental and community-based organizations play in the promotion and protection of human rights by disseminating information and engaging in human rights education, especially at the grass-roots level, Aware of the potential role of the private sector in human rights education through financial support for governmental and non-governmental activities as well as their own creative and effective initiatives, Noting with appreciation the efforts undertaken thus far by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to implement the Plan of Action for the United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education, 1995–2004, 2 and to increase information-sharing in the area of human rights education, Welcoming other United Nations public information activities in the field of human rights, Noting Commission on Human Rights resolution 2003/70 of 25 April 2003, 3 in which the Commission requested the Office of the High Commissioner, jointly with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, to report on the achievements and shortcomings of the current United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education, Notes with appreciation the report of the United Nations High 1. Commissioner for Human Rights on education and public information activities in the field of human rights; 4 2. Welcomes the steps taken by Governments and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to implement the Plan of Action for the United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education, 1995–2004,2 and to develop public information activities in the field of human rights; 3. Urges all Governments to promote the development of comprehensive, participatory and sustainable national strategies for human rights education and to establish and strengthen in their education policies knowledge of human rights, in both its theoretical dimensions and its practical applications; Also urges all Governments to intensify their efforts to contribute to the 4. implementation of the Plan of Action and, in particular, to implement the suggestions in relevant resolutions adopted by the General Assembly and the _______________ 2 A/51/506/Add.1, appendix. See Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 2003, Supplement No. 3 (E/2003/23), chap. II, sect. A. 4 See A/58/318. 3 2