E/CN.4/2001/0063 page 49 has already been done in the area of racial discrimination. A similar initiative in the area of aggravated discrimination is strongly recommended; (ii) A second study entitled “Racial discrimination, religious intolerance and education”, submitted to the second Preparatory Committee of the World Conference. In this study, the Special Rapporteur concludes that States have a significant responsibility to monitor the whole of their educational system, public and private, with a view to detecting racial discrimination and manifestations of religious intolerance in fact or in law, in order to prohibit and, if necessary, eliminate them. He recommended in particular that the development of a segregated education system should be limited as far as possible. Whatever the justification for such a system, it cannot promote the integration of minorities and immigrant communities. However, in certain scenarios, for example when the ethnic configuration of a given society dictates or when there is a demand for such a system, a segregated education system can protect the rights of ethnic and religious minorities. However, in such cases the State’s sole obligation is not to interfere. It has an essential role to play in monitoring non-discriminatory access to the schools that belong to this system. The State also has an active duty to recognize the qualifications issued by schools and to make available various benefits for allocation on a non-discriminatory basis (financial assistance, teacher training, upkeep of buildings, awarding of subsidies and study grants). Where the setting of international norms is concerned, the Special Rapporteur has maintained that an effort should be made to improve the content of existing international instruments by adopting texts and documents of an interpretative nature that go beyond general objectives and lay down the precise strategy which States and the international community should follow to ensure a non-discriminatory and tolerant education system. The essential components of such a strategy should involve the introduction of school curricula and educational materials focusing on the inculcation of religious and racial tolerance in the teaching of history and other sensitive subjects. The manner in which these subjects are taught determines the way in which pupils perceive other cultures and civilizations. This standard-setting effort could be formalized and supported through the adoption of targeted resolutions dealing specifically with the issue of racial discrimination and religious intolerance in education in the context of the World Conference against Racism and the international consultative conference on school education in relation to freedom of religion and belief, tolerance and non-discrimination; (b) A study in progress on freedom of religion or belief and the status of women in the light of religion and traditions will be presented when the Commission on Human Rights meets.

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