Today, on International Museum Day, we are proud to launch Applying the Human Rights-Based Approach to Collections-Based Education for Sustainable Development — a practical toolkit for museums, libraries, archives and educators.
Developed by ICCROM within the framework of the European Union-funded TOWCHED project, Transforming Our World: Collections at the Heart of Life-long Learning and Education (2025–2027), the toolkit supports organizations and professionals working with heritage collections to design, implement and monitor inclusive, context-relevant Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) activities for children and youth in all their diversity.
Fully aligned with ICCROM’s Strategic Plan 2026–2031, the toolkit reflects ICCROM’s “Vision of CARE” for heritage — to conserve, activate and recognize its full potential in enriching lives. At the heart of this vision is heritage-based education and lifelong learning, connecting past, present and future while enabling more meaningful engagement with the social, environmental and economic challenges shaping today’s world.
The toolkit breaks new grounds by bringing together collections-based education, sustainable development and the Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA). By placing rights-holders at the centre, it expands opportunities for children and youth to access, participate in and benefit from transformative learning experiences. At the same time, it equips professionals and institutions with practical tools to plan, deliver, monitor and evaluate educational initiatives grounded in human rights principles.
“I warmly invite all organizations working with heritage collections, as well as educators across all learning contexts, to use this resource to embed the Human Rights-Based Approach into their practice and institutional culture. I extend my sincere gratitude to the European Union for supporting the TOWCHED project and to our consortium partners for their dedicated collaboration in developing this important resource.”
— Aruna Francesca Maria Gujral
Free download here