OzSpirit: Human Rights Education

Human Rights Education

Issue 94

A Tribute to Human Rights Educators

"If you are thinking a year ahead, plant seeds.
If you are thinking ten years ahead, plant a tree.
If you are thinking a hundred years ahead, educate the people." - Kuan Tze (4th - 3rd Century BC) China

Kuan Tze is extremely wise, he recognised the importance of education in changing the hearts and minds of people. In our own time the United Nations has displayed similar understanding and wisdom in identifying education as a key component in creating peaceful communities. When it began in 1945, after the horrors and violence of World War II, the United Nations made it a priority to educate the global community about Human Rights. In 1948 it set down The Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The aim of human rights is to create a world where justice, peace and human dignity prevails. This year on December 10th the global community is called to acknowledge the brave individuals and organisations that have worked in human rights education. This event will mark the end of the decade for Human Rights Education.

Children

Human Rights education is fundamental in helping individuals and communities to recognise that all people regardless of their sex, political affiliation, wealth, status, disability, environment or nationality deserve the same basic human rights. Such rights have the capacity to enable people to develop and satisfy their individual spiritual and personal needs. Today, intolerance, inequality, poverty, war, racism, disrespect, violence and tyranny are widespread. Human Rights education offers hope that individuals and communities can work together to ensure that such terrible conditions can be changed for the better. In recognising this we must recognise the massive role that teachers and educators of human rights have played and continue to play in shaping the lives of individuals and the actions of communities.

Woman

A wonderful example of human rights educators working to change unjust structures in order to create a more harmonious and peaceful society is occurring at present in Afghanistan. Up until three years ago Afghanistan was under the ferocious rule of the Taleban Government whose rule was based on widespread human rights abuses. Despite the fall of the Taleban the country is still extremely unstable. Human rights abuses are extensive, creating an environment plagued with poverty, poor health and nutrition, and violence. In order to try and improve the lives of individuals and the society as a whole UNICEF - the United Nations Children's Fund has teamed up with the Afghan Ministry of Religious Affairs to educate Mullah's (influential Islamic religious leaders) across the country about children's rights. 25,000 Mullahs this year and a further 50,000 next year will go through a program which covers a number of children's issues such as the rights to education, health care and nutrition, re-integration of former child soldiers, dangers of domestic violence and awareness of HIV/AIDS. It is important to play tribute to this program and to recognise the enormous potential this human rights education initiative has in creating a more peaceful and harmonious Afghanistan.

Child

This example does not stand alone; there are countless courageous individuals and organisations that deserve tribute. On December 10th let us recognise all people in our community who are working to change the hearts and lives of their fellow human beings through human rights education.

Imagine that your class has been asked to be a council to decide on the rules for the world community. Remember that you must think about men and women, rich and poor, young and old, all ethnicities, cultures and religions. Compare your rules with other members of the council. Go to The Universal Declaration of Human Rights at www.un.org/Overview/rights.html and read through the 30 Articles. How are these articles similar and different to the rules your council came up with?

Read The Universal Declaration of Human Rights at www.un.org/Overview/rights.html

Choose 5 Articles that you feel are important for you personally and explain why.
Read the preamble. What do you think is the purpose of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights?
Choose 5 articles (different from 2a) and find 2 examples of where this human right is not provided.

The United Nations Human Rights Commission has described conditions in Australia's detention centres as "offensive to human dignity". Go to the following sites and research what conditions are like for people in Australian detention centres:
www.chilout.org/information/
conditions_in_detention.html

members.optushome.com.au/
thesquiz/burnspeech.htm
Write a list of the different ways you think these centres are "offensive to human dignity".

OzSpirit is a fortnightly web publication produced by Caritas Australia. Go to the following sites www.ozspirit.info/ and www.caritas.org.au/ and surf through the different links. In what way do you think both Caritas and OzSpirit educate people about Human Rights?

HREA is the Human Rights Education Association. Go to the following site:
www.hrea.org/

Write down what HREA does.
Find 3 initiatives that HREA is involved in.
Go to the headlines section and choose one of the articles that interests you. Write down 10 key points from the article.

HRCA is The Australian Human Rights Council. Go to the following site: www.hrca.org.au/ and answer the following questions:

What is HRCA?
What are the 12 activities of HRCA?
What are the current issues that HRCA is focusing on?

English

Imagine that your name is Frankie. You are married with two children. You are a radio reporter. On your show you completed a report on your Government's mistreatment of the indigenous people of your country. The following morning two men broke into your home and arrested you. You were taken to a room and locked up. You were not given any food. The following day you were beaten. You have been in this room for 3 months and have been unable to contact anyone. No one tells you what is happening.

You have been deprived of a number of human rights. Review The Universal Declaration of Human Rights at: www.un.org/Overview/rights.html and use the declaration to work out specifically what rights you have been denied.
Go to the following site and read the account of Dr Biscet in Cuba: www.free-biscet.org/lawton/
who_is_dr_biscet.htm How is this similar and different to Frankie's situation?

HSIE/SOSE

The Peoples Movement for Human Rights Education (PDHRE) is an important organisation in human rights education. Go to the following site: www.pdhre.org/annualreport2002.htm Read about the activities that PDHRE has been involved in.

Create a list of 10 things PDHRE has been involved in.
One of the initiatives of PDHRE is establishing 'Human Rights Cities'. Scroll down and find out what these are and write a brief overview.
List the 12 Human Rights Cities.
Print a map of the world from www.worldatlas.com/aatlas/worldpac.htm and using an atlas locate each of these cities on your map.

Find out what activities you can become involved in your community on December 10th to commemorate the work of human rights educators in Australia.

If you live in South Australia try and attend the International Human Rights Convention: 'Indigenous Human Rights In South Australia under the spotlight' at UNISA. Go to www.hawkecentre.unisa.edu.au/events/
lectures/IntHRDay2004.htm for more details.

Get involved in the Amnesty International 24 hour letter writing Marathon on December 10th. For information contact Sarah Hanson-Young, Amnesty International Aust. on (02) 82215979 or sant@amnesty.org.au for information & kits.

Order your 2005 Social Justice Diary from the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council. The focus for 2005 is: Living the Gospel in Today's Society. Each month particular social justice issues, theme and events are identified and developed. Cost: $6.60 plus postage. The latest paper in the Catholic Social Justice Series: "The Beatitudes and Justice" by Gerard Moore is also available. Contact Yolanda ph: 02 9956 5811.