The Gambia National Commission for UNESCO, in collaboration with the Department of State for Secondary Education, is to organize a workshop for the validation of reports on the integration of human rights education into our High School system and on the development of a National Implementation strategy. The workshop will kick off at Corinthia Atlantic Hotel, Banjul, 27th and 28th November, 2007.

The permanent secretary, Department of State for Basic Education, Mr. Baboucarr Boye spoke on behalf of the Secretary of State for Basic and Secondary education, Mrs. Fatou Lamin Faye.

According to the statement, the 1997 republican constitution has guaranteed democracy and adherence to the rule of law, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. This fact is buttressed as 1997 blueprint has also provided that a basic education shall be free and compulsory. The SOS’s representative informed the gathering that the Workshop was expected to bring people one step closer to the achievement of the nation’s objectives in raising awareness of human rights, peace and democracy in our education system.

It was indicated that UNESCO who co-funded the workshop, is a UN agency, and has contributed to the efforts of the international community in the promotion and encouragement of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. The statement elucidated that it is mandated to contribute to the creation of a universal culture of human rights by focusing on those areas where it was comparative advantage.

The speaker called on “UNESCO” to use its experience and expertise, drawing from its role as a laboratory of ideas, and to contribute to helping mainstream human rights in its programmes, promoting policy oriented research, disseminating knowledge on human rights and strengthening partnership.

Mrs. Fay pointed out that; this validation is indeed welcome as it responds to one of the basic aims of education policy of 2004 - 2015 education strategic plan, “which is to create awareness of the importance of peace, democracy and human rights.

In her opening remarks, the Secretary General of NATCOM Mrs. Sukai M. Bojang, informed participants that this consultancy started between the UNESCO regional Bureau for education in Africa, BREDA, the department of state for Basic education, and the National commission for UNESCO last April with the recruitment of a national consultant and preparations for the commencement of the consultancy.

Mrs. Bojang reminded the participants of some of the wise words used by the former UN Secretary General on International human rights day; “Human rights education is much more than a lesson in schools or theme for a day; it is a process to equip people with the tools they need to live lives of security and dignity”. Mrs. Bojang expressed the hope that this idea will be followed up with the introduction of teaching and learning materials for human rights education in the school system.