Broken Chalk has compiled the report that follows. This is to be a stakeholder contribution to the Fourth Cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) for Andorra. This report will focus on education in Andorra, as Broken Chalk aims to combat human rights violations within the educational sector.
In the third Universal Periodic Review (UPR) cycle, Andorra received 126 recommendations, 60 of which were supported. Three of the recommendations were regarding education. Andorra has supported all three recommendations, demonstrating its determination and commitment to increasing access to high-quality education. It is worth noting that Andorra’s support for three recommendations in the third cycle represents an improvement over the second cycle, where it supported only two and mentioned the third. [vi]
The recommendations included providing full access to various educational fields, as well as social care and healthcare, for children, adolescents, and people with disabilities. Moreover, the recommendations also advocate for equal participation of girls and women in STEM fields and providing women at risk of trafficking an opportunity to pursue their studies and participate in reintegration programs. [vii]
Andorra’s national report for UN-UPR highlights their decision to prioritize children and education by enacting the Qualified Act No. 14/2019. The act was set to safeguard children’s rights and promote their well-being through creating a safe environment and addressing any potential risks that might impact their healthy development. Moreover, the act mandates the development of a national plan for children and adolescents within two years of its enactment. Andorra has made significant strides in enhancing education and youth development. Developing a national strategy that guarantees access to free, high-quality public education within any of the country’s three education systems. [viii]
Andorra started promoting development skills that foster values such as inclusivity, justice, respect and tolerance. The University of Andorra and the Ministry of Education have collaborated to modernize the teacher training programs and added a new master’s degree program for teachers. New modules were created in collaboration with the Council of Europe through long-distance learning. Prevention workshops were set up in schools to address various societal issues. [ix]
In response to the recommendation regarding the rights of people with disabilities, Act No. 27/2017 was enacted. Allowing persons with disabilities to benefit from various social and health services in education, employment and leisure. [x]
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References
[vi] United Nations. (2020). Report of the Intergovernmental Committee of Experts on Sustainable Development Financing. Retrieved from https://documents.un.org/doc/undoc/gen/g20/041/36/pdf/g2004136.pdf
[vii] UPR Library. Recommendations Received by Andorra (2021). https://upr-info-database.uwazi.io/library/?q=(allAggregations:!f,filters:(cycle:(values:!(%27567eec7b-d5ab-4c36-a712-57c38fae9124%27)),issues:(values:!(%27660e6cc6-8624-4858-9cfd-ae4051da1241%27)),state_under_review:(values:!(pf2ypge88kr))),from:0,includeUnpublished:!f,limit:30,order:desc,sort:creationDate,treatAs:number,types:!(%275d8ce04361cde0408222e9a8%27),unpublished:!f)
[viii] National report submitted by paragraph 5 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 16/21. Human Rights Council. United Nations General Assembly, May 2020. http://daccess-ods.un.org/access.nsf/Get?Open&DS=A/HRC/WG.6/36/AND/1&Lang=E
[ix] European Commission / EACEA / Eurydice, 2024. The European Higher Education Area in 2024: Bologna Process Implementation Report. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union.
[x] Council of Europe. (2024). Andorra – Observatory on History Teaching in Europe. Retrieved from https://www.coe.int/en/web/observatory-history-teaching/andorra
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