This paper aims to synthesize the central issues surrounding Intercultural Education, and presents the fundamental guiding principles for an intercultural approach to education as viewed by UNESCO. It is divided into three parts. Part I outlines the key issues surrounding Intercultural Education, as well as its objectives and basic operating principles. Part II contains a short presentation of the normative framework for Intercultural Education, based on an analysis of international standard-setting instruments that make reference to education and intercultural issues, and on outcomes from International Conferences. Part III synthesizes the international position on this issue and provides a set of three basic principles that should guide educational policies with regard to Intercultural Education. (Contains 155 endnotes.)