​Human rights cannot be defended by legal measures alone.  They need to be protected and safeguarded by everyone, including young people.  Human rights are best respected and appreciated when we know them, stand up for them and apply them in our lives.

COMPASS is a manual published by the Council of Europe's Youth Sector.  COMPASS provides youth leaders, teachers and facilitators of human rights education activities, whether professional or volunteers, with concrete ideas and practical activities to engage, involved and motivate young people in leiving, learning and activing for human rights. It promotes a comprehensive perspective on human rights education and sees young people as actors for a culture of universal human rights.

COMPASS was originally published in 2002 and is now available in more that 30 languages. A Version specifically designed for human rights education with children - COMPASITO - enjoys a similar success.  This fully revised and updated edition includes new activities and information about human rights issues such as disability, migration, religion, remembrance, war and terrorism.

COMPASS is a practical tool and resource for citizenship and human rights education. It is an essential companion for all those who are curious and interested in making the right to human rights education a reality for everyone.