Campaigning

At RealisingRights, we campaign for Human Rights.

We help protect the Human Rights Act, and we host HRE4ALL - the Campaign for Human Rights Education.

Education is key to everything; before Human Rights can be realised, we think you need to understand what they are and why it's important to defend them. If you don't understand how they protect you, the individual, and how they can promote a fairer and more inclusive society, then it's hard to defend them. That's why we support Human Rights Education 4 All, a coalition of organisations (including ACT, Amnesty, BIHR, Bingham Trust Liberty, Realising Rights and RightsInfo) and individuals working together on the framework described below and here in more detail.

 

In line with the international treaties (listed here) Human Rights Education (HRE) is to be realised as a right for all.

1. Through the campaign, a shared and evolving understanding of HRE will be developed based on the following nine principles:  

a. Modelling human rights based values and attitudes in school leadership and teaching,

b. Developing relevant knowledge and skills which are clearly linked to the human rights system, instruments and standards 

c. Enabling participation and empowerment of young people and adults alike

d. Being learner-centred

e. Applying interactive and participatory learning methodologies

f. Highlighting accountability and rule of law

g. Modelling and promoting non-discrimination, equality and the protection of vulnerable groups

h. Modelling and promoting community cohesion

i. Encouraging action and change to build a universal culture of human rights

(Based on the Danish Institute for Human Rights Toolbox)

2. In signing up to the international agreements listed here, and in particular the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), the Government of the UK has the responsibility to take the lead in the realisation of this right. Provision needs to be made for HRE to be embedded in the policy and practice of the Education Departments of all jurisdictions of the UK. The Education Department's policy and practice must ensure HRE is be incorporated into:

i. Requirements of, and courses for, school leadership and initial teacher education

ii. School inspections

iii. Teaching standards

3. The rights of young people as set out in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child shall be incorporated, promoted and respected by all schools.

4. The implementation of Human Rights Education is to be monitored and evaluated.

 

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Eleanor Roosevelt, in a speech to the United Nations (1958)

“Where after all do human rights begin? In small places, close to home.

Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere."

 

"Without concerted citizen action to uphold them close to home,

we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world."

 

"To uphold their rights, citizens need first to know them."