E/CN.4/2002/73 page 2 the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief. The final document of the Conference is reproduced in annex I. The Special Rapporteur wishes to receive observations from the Commission concerning the initiatives and actions to be taken to shelter schools throughout the world from intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief, and from all forms of indoctrination connected with religious considerations or imputed to religion. Schools should become instruments of knowledge, respect and tolerance of others, in the interests of human rights and thereby of better international understanding and cooperation in the service of peace. It is the view of the Special Rapporteur that tolerance tends to remain a formula as long as it is not underpinned by knowledge, and hence respect for others. The Special Rapporteur once again emphasizes the importance of dialogue, both between and within religions, and welcomes the contributions made during the year 2001 in terms of dialogue among civilizations, in particular the Global Agenda for Dialogue among Civilizations, which was proclaimed by the General Assembly on 9 November 2001 in resolution 56/6, and the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity, adopted by the General Conference of UNESCO on 2 November 2001. The Special Rapporteur also introduces the second addendum to the present report - the study on freedom of religion or belief and the status of women in the light of religion and traditions. He reiterates his recommendation that all relevant United Nations mechanisms should adopt a plan of action to combat discrimination against women imputed to religions and traditions. In chapter II, on operational activities, the Special Rapporteur briefly reviews the implementation of the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief. He then discusses the communications sent to States since the publication of the last report to the Commission, and the replies received. He also records the late replies from States to the communications sent before the publication of the last report. He then reports on in situ visits and follow-up to them, and draws the attention of the Commission to States which have still not complied with his requests to visit them, expressing the hope for better cooperation on their part in the interests of all concerned. Lastly, he examines the consequences of the events of 11 September 2001 as regards tolerance and non-discrimination, and more broadly the system for the protection and promotion of human rights. He expresses regret that his repeated appeals since 1994 concerning the need to combat religious extremism and the use of religions as tools for political and partisan purposes did not have the desired effect in good time. In the conclusions and recommendations (chap. III), the Special Rapporteur again discusses the Madrid Conference, the events of 11 September 2001 and the outcome of activities under his mandate. On this last issue, he repeats the final remarks set out in the interim report to the General Assembly. He considers it important that the Commission should review the outcome of his activities and, in relation to the achievements of the past 20 years in the area of the protection and promotion of freedom of religion or belief, set forth such assessments as it deems appropriate and, as required, consider laying down additional guidance and instructions which will strengthen and intensify his activities.