New Humanity NGO contributes to the Human Rights Council on the Right to Education and on Youth, Peace and International Solidarity

‘Aligning the Right to Education with Its Fundamental Purposes:  A Pedagogical Clarification’

On the occasion of the upcoming 62nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, taking place in the Palais des Nations in Geneva (15 June – 10 July 2026), New Humanity NGO submitted a Written Statement to the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Education as part of the report “Curriculum, pedagogy and assessment at the service of the right to education.” (A/HRC/62/39)

The statement, entitled ‘Aligning the Right to Education with Its Fundamental Purposes:  A Pedagogical Clarification’, highlights the importance of aligning education systems with the fundamental aims of the right to education: fostering human dignity, respect for human rights and active participation in society. In particular, New Humanity NGO proposes the integration of service-learning as a pedagogical approach capable of responding to today’s social and cultural challenges.

Drawing from pedagogical research and human rights principles, the statement identifies a number of essential criteria for authentic educational action. The contribution emphasizes that education must not only be accessible, but also meaningful, ethically grounded and adaptable to the needs of learners and communities. It calls for an integral and relational understanding of education that values the complementary role of families, States and educational institutions.

📄 Read full text written statement

______________________________________________________

‘Youth, Sustaining Peace and International Solidarity.’

On the occasion of the upcoming 62nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, taking place in the Palais des Nations in Geneva (15 June – 10 July 2026), New Humanity NGO submitted a Written Statement to the Report of the Independent Expert on human rights and international solidarity (A/HRC/62/39).

The Written Statement, entitled “Youth, Sustaining Peace and International Solidarity.”, highlights the urgent need to strengthen a culture of peace and solidarity in response to growing global challenges, including militarization, inequality, polarization, environmental crises and weakening multilateral cooperation. In its statement New Humanity NGO highlights the importance of moving beyond the idea of peace as merely the absence of war, towards a vision of “positive peace” based on inclusion, human dignity and the common good.

Particular attention is given to the essential role of young people as “agents of peace” and protagonists of international solidarity. The statement stresses that sustaining peace must be an inclusive and shared process involving the whole of society, with the active participation of youth at all stages of peacebuilding and conflict prevention.

In this context, the contribution highlights several initiatives promoted by the youth of the Focolare Movement, including Genfest 2024 in Brazil, the Living Peace International project, and the “Youth, Cities and Peace” congress held in Nairobi in November 2025 in collaboration with UN-Habitat and United Nations Environment Programme.

The statement also supports the creation of a UN-sponsored High-Level Youth Forum aimed at strengthening intergenerational dialogue and promoting meaningful youth participation in global decision-making processes.

Through this statement New Humanity NGO reaffirms its commitment to promoting dialogue, fraternity, peace education and international solidarity as essential foundations for a more just and peaceful world.

📄 Read full text written statement