HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION & ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP
Our vision is of a Scotland that is Equal, Inclusive & Responsive:
A society where people from the diverse communities are valued,
treated with dignity and respect, have equal citizenship,
opportunities and quality of life, and who actively participate in
civic society.
•HRE DEFINITIONS & ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP
Amnesty International:
•Human rights education is a deliberate, participatory
practice aimed at empowering individuals, groups and
communities … Its goal is to build a culture of respect for
and action in the defense and promotion of human rights
for all (...)
•Human rights education can also play a vital role in
building social structures that support participatory
democracies and the resolution of conflict, and can provide
a common understanding of how to address political and
social differences equitably and celebrate cultural diversity
The United Nation Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR)
A long-term and lifelong process: learn respect for the dignity of others and the
means and methods of ensuring that respect is a core value in all societies
Human rights education can be defined as education, training and
information aiming at building a universal culture of human rights
through the sharing of knowledge, imparting of skills and moulding of
attitudes directed to:
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The strengthening of respect for human rights and freedoms;
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The full development of the human personality and its dignity;
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The promotion of understanding, tolerance, gender equality and
friendship among all
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The enabling of all persons to participate effectively in a free and
democratic society governed by the rule of law;
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The promotion of people-centred sustainable development and social
justice
HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION ENTAILS an INTERLINKED
PROCESS:
Knowledge and skills – learning about human rights and mechanisms for their
protection, as well as acquiring skills to apply them in daily life;
Values, attitudes and behaviour – developing values and reinforcing attitudes
and behaviour which uphold human rights;
Action – taking action to defend and promote human rights.
Active Citizenship Definition
Often defined as global: someone who is aware of wider world
who respects the values of diversity, is outraged by social
injustice, is willing to make the world a more equitable and
sustainable place, and who participates in the community at
global and local level
HRE/Active Citizenship Key Concepts
Dignity
Respect
Apathy
Action
Participation
Equality
Freedom
Awareness
Value
Right to Voice
Democracy
Accountability
Life long Learning
Cultural Diversity
Globalisation
Common Understanding
Role of Service Providers, Policy makers, NGOs
HRE to be integrated with equalities
Human Rights Education needs to be embedded into all policy & Practice
provision:
 Human rights conceive HRE as being multidimensional :
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it seeks analysis of the structural causes of violation, discrimination poverty,
rather than only its symptoms,
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and the impact of governmental action or inaction on communities
experiencing inequalities and / or have their rights been abused.
Sample Challenges for in deploying human rights education as a tool for Active citizenship:
Service Providors:
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Lack of real awareness and knowledge of HRE
Lack of Effective Training
Fragmented approaches to HRE (detached from national policies)
Community Groups:
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lack of knowledge and awareness of HRE;
Exclusion & Isolation;
Historic disadvantages and discrimination
Stereotyping lack of respect / resources, etc
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What are the gaps in / barriers to progressing HRE/Active
Citizenship agendas in Civil society & Service provision?

Is there a need for more research, training, knowledge into the
complex interaction of equality and human rights issues?
Please state three things that you would like to see taken
forward from this discussion?