New Delhi, Mar. 21 : The National Human Rights Commission organized a day long conference on Human Rights Education at School Level in New Delhi today.

Addressing the inaugural session, NHRC Chairperson Mr. Justice S. Rajendra Babu said that dissemination of knowledge human rights and duties must aim at bringing about attitudinal changes in human behavior.

He said that if students are sensitized about human rights they can become instruments for social justice and development. Justice Babu said that human rights education is necessary for the promotion and achievement of stable and harmonious relations among the communities.

Noted educationist and member of National Knowledge Commission, Dr. Deepak Nayyar, in his keynote address, said that there can be no right without duties.

He said that it will be difficult to practice human rights without internalizing them.

Addressing the gathering on the occasion, Dr. Shantha Sinha, Chairperson, National Commission for Child Rights, said human right education, values and curriculum must go along with the right to education.

She placed emphasis on the protection of rights and interest of children in the context of school education.

Anshu Vaish, Secretary, Ministry of Human Resource Development, said the real challenge lies in how to bring the theory of human rights into practice.

She said that in this context sensitization of the teaching community is necessary about human rights so that they are prepared to impart the values of human rights to children..

The conference was divided into three technical sessions. These included, Human Rights Education at School Level: Policies and Perspective, Present status in respect of curricula and text books and plan of action for central/State Governments/Education Boards.

Several prominent jurists, educationists, representatives of academic bodies and NGOs from different parts of country participated in the deliberations.

The Members and senior officers of the Commission also participated in the conference. (ANI)