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Challenges to address in promoting Human Rights Education
- Given an oppressive environment in certain Mediterranean southern countries, where the effective enjoyment of basic freedoms remains a source of grave concern, independent civil society actors, NGO activists and defenders, teachers and political parties members, young activists, journalists, lawyers, academics, judges, and human rights educators throughout the region are confronted with a variety of forms of repression and are exposed to an ongoing insecurity, authoritarian practices and restrains of their freedom of expression and actions.
- The research showed that undemocratic practices are undermining the value of human rights and human rights education within it. Undemocratic practices are widespread in the region and there is adanger that even human rights organizations are or will be infected with such a practice. Therefore, it isabsolutely necessary for all human rights activities, including human rights education, to be organizedand implemented in accordance with the highest democratic principles and standards. All the activitiesshould be participatory, transparent, open, pluralistic, accountable, inclusive, subject to permanentevaluation, etc.
- Human rights education needs more visibility and communication - there are a number of tools for achieving these goals and they have to be used more effectively and efficiently. The proper and well-designed application of available ICT solutions (web presentations, e-mail, etc.) is just one way towards becoming more visible. The potential of the network in this regard is quite substantial but needs to be carefully planned for, taking the diversity of contexts and situations in different parts of the region. Therefore, human rights organizations with more practice should be encouraged to share their experiences and to support other organizations with less experience in this area.
- Partnership as an important approach in HRE (between individual member organizations and between member organizations and the Network) is significantly undervalued and member organizations understanding of the term in deficient. Few member organizations have identifiedpartnership between different types of organizations or with the Network as a valuable way forward.In this regard, there is a need to face the issue of ‘unequal partnerships’, based on the fact that someorganizations are larger, or considered to be more ‘significant’ or established or better funded thanothers. These issues are important and are of strategic interest for the make up, effectiveness andagenda of the Network.
- The importance of participative and interactive, learner-centred educational approaches in human rights education need to be highlighted, promoted and practically supported. Traditionalways of knowledge transfer alone are increasingly seen to be ineffective in learning terms and certainlyas regards behaviour change. There is a need to balance different educational approaches and to makemore use of those methods that address different learning styles and needs. Additionally those interestedand entrusted with the mandate of promoting human rights values and culture need to take these issuesmore fully into account if stated objectives are to be realised.
- The lack of effective monitoring, documentation and evaluation is an urgent issue. This affects not only the effectiveness and impact of individual organizations but also the overall cumulative impact of the human rights education agenda and human rights overall. Developing effective frameworks and methodologies for monitoring and evaluation will not only improve the quality and impact of the work of the movement overall and of individual organizations, it will also create a basis for comparative learning and the sharing of experiences and ideas. This is an area that needs urgent attention and is one in which the Network has a significant role to play.
- The need for additional and ongoing research is obvious. In order to improve the quality, breadth and impact of human rights education in the region, the level and range of research and documentation will have to increase significantly. In order to build capacity, to share learning and lessons and to support partnership approaches, research will be needed.
