“Education for democratic citizenship and human rights education should be included in the curriculum, staff training and democratic governance at all education levels – highlights Nils Muižnieks, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, in his paper ‘Time for Europe to get migrant integration right’. - These provisions should be regularly updated, evaluated and researched. As a result, all learners are supposed to possess the knowledge and skills to promote social cohesion, value diversity and equality, appreciate differences – particularly between different faith and ethnic groups – settle conflict in non-violent ways and combat all forms of discrimination and violence, especially bullying and harassment. Like these rights and standards, these curricula cannot exist only on paper in the strategies of education authorities. School leaders, teachers and migrant communities must be empowered and required to implement inclusive and intercultural education in the curriculum and the day-to-day life of the school”. The report underscores the importance of inclusive and intercultural education, promoted by the Council of Europe through its Charter on Education for Democratic Citizenship and Human Rights Education (Recommendation CM/Rec(2010)7) and related programmes.
“After being consumed by short-term imperatives, such as reception and the processing of asylum claims, European governments have to focus now on the long-term goal of promoting the successful integration of migrants” points out the Commissioner. The paper highlights a broad range of European standards which govern this field and offers a series of concrete recommendations.
Further information:
- Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights
- Time for Europe to get migrant integration right. Issue Paper published by the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights