The Christian community has a long relationship with tertiary education. In Europe many of the great universities were founded by the Church. In the United States of America, Christian Congregationalists also played a part in setting up Universities. Christians have always valued education.

The Uniting Church in Australia has committed itself to the promotion of internationally recognised United Nations human rights instruments, stating that, following on from the commitment of the World Council of Churches (Eighth Assembly, 1998, Together on the Way), these human rights standards are only realised where, “all that is necessary for a decent life, including the rights to … education for the full development of the human potential and the right of people to participate fully in decision-making about their common future”, are available to all (Dignity in Humanity: Recognising Christ in Every Person, A Uniting Church in Australia Statement on Human Rights).

The United Nations International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights recognises:

• the right of everyone to education;
• that education should be directed to the full development of the human personality and the sense of its dignity;
• that education should strengthen the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms;
• that education should enable all persons to participate effectively in a free society, promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations and all racial, ethnic or religious groups, and further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace; and,
• higher education should be made equally accessible to all, on the basis of capacity, by every appropriate means, and in particular by the progressive introduction of free education.

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