E/CN.4/2000/65 page 47 178. It may be remembered that article 29 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child provides that: “States parties agree that the education of the child shall be directed to: … (b) The development of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and for the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations; … (d) The preparation of the child for responsible life in a free society, in the spirit of understanding, peace, tolerance, equality of sexes, and friendship among all peoples, ethnic, national and religious groups and persons of indigenous origin.” The Special Rapporteur believes that religious matters related to the rights of the child constitute an area where appropriate initiatives should be undertaken as a matter of priority. This is why, in conformity with the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, the relevant international instruments and the resolutions of the Commission on Human Rights and the General Assembly since 1995, the Special Rapporteur is pursuing his plan for an international school strategy on the question of tolerance and non-discrimination in relation to freedom of religion and belief in primary and secondary education establishments. 179. Inter-religious dialogue appears essential for the prevention of misunderstandings, conflicts and violations in the area of freedom of religion and belief. As was rightly recalled by the High Commissioner for Human Rights, in her message (21 September 1999) on the occasion of the 950th anniversary of the city of Nuremberg and its conference on peace and human rights: “The full title of the conference - ‘Peace and Human Rights - Furthered by Religions, Threatened by Religions’ - reflects the fact that religions’ message of peace and love can be distorted to become an instrument of hate and conflict … Religions can and should play a significant role in conflict prevention and post-conflict reconciliation.” The visit to the Vatican provided an opportunity to see what was being done in the area of inter-religious dialogue and to offer some general insight regarding the objectives, methods and mechanisms of inter-religious dialogue from the point of view of the Holy See. That visit, by considering a great variety of questions, such as the Vatican’s position with regard to international and national law in the area of religious freedom, and its position in relation to States, communities sharing the same religion and belief, and education, also contributes to a better knowledge of one religion, in the event Catholicism, in its relations with other religions and therefore to a broader range of shared experience, as well as to a more meaningful dialogue between communities belonging to different religions and beliefs, and lastly to enhanced protection of freedom of religion and belief. 180. As Théo Boven had also very pertinently explained in his study “Religious Freedom in International Perspective: Existing and Future Standards” (1989): “What is at stake in the promotion and protection of religious liberty is not the search for objective truth but the enhancement of respect for the subjective rights of individuals or groups of individuals and communities. On the basis of this understanding the measures of implementation, at a national and international level, should focus on the promotion of constructive dialogue between religious communities themselves and between these communities and the public authorities in