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1. Lesson 1
Background and Basic Concepts of Human Rights

2. Background and Facts about Human Rights
Human rights education is a fundamental human
right. Human rights education is about learning
human rights. The People's Movement for Human
Rights Learning prefers human rights learning to
human rights education and places a special focus on
human rights as way of life. A culture where human
rights are learned, lived and “acted” for. HRE must
mainstream gender awareness and include an
intercultural learning dimension. (Committee of
Ministers Recommendation, 2010)

3. Since 1948 a huge quantity and variety of work has
been – and is being – done in the interests of human
rights education. That there are many ways of doing
HRE is as it should be because individuals view the
world differently, educators work in different
situations and different organizations and public
bodies have differing concerns; thus, while the
principles are the same, the practice may vary. In
order to get a picture of the variety of teaching and
activities that are being delivered, it is instructive to
look at the roles and interests of the various
"individuals and organs of society" in order to see how
these inform the focus and scope of their interest in
HRE.

4. In 1993 the World Conference on Human Rights declared
human rights education as "essential for the promotion
and achievement of stable and harmonious relations
among communities and for fostering mutual
understanding, tolerance and peace". In 1994 the
General Assembly of the United Nations declared the UN
Decade of Human Rights Education (1995-2004) and
urged all UN member states to promote "training
dissemination and information aimed at the building
of a universal culture of human rights

5. As a result, governments have been putting more
efforts into promoting HRE, mainly through state
education programs. Because governments have
concern for international relations, maintaining law
and order and the general functioning of society, they
tend to see HRE as a means to promote peace,
democracy and social order.
Providing young people with equal opportunities and
experiences enabling them to play a full part in
society.

7. Human rights are the basic rights and freedoms that belong
to every person in the world, from birth until death.
They apply regardless of where you are from, what you
believe or how you choose to live your life.
They can never be taken away, although they can
sometimes be restricted – for example if a person breaks
the law, or in the interests of national security.
These basic rights are based on shared values like dignity,
fairness, equality, respect and independence.
They are guaranteed to everyone without distinction of any
kind, such as race, color, sex, language, religion, political
or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth,
or other status.
Human rights are essential to the full development of
individuals and communities.
These values are defined and protected by law.
What are Human Rights?

8. Why are Human Rights Important?
Human rights reflect the minimum standards
necessary for people to live with dignity.
Human rights give people the freedom to choose how
they live, how they express themselves, and what
kind of government they want to support, among
many other things.
Human rights also guarantee people the means
necessary to satisfy their basic needs, such as food,
housing, and education, so they can take full
advantage of all opportunities.
Finally, by guaranteeing life, liberty, equality, and
security, human rights protect people against abuse
by those who are more powerful. (Committee of
Ministers Recommendation, 2010)

9. According to the United Nations, human rights:
“Ensure that a human being will be able to fully
develop and use human qualities such as intelligence,
talent, and conscience and satisfy his or her spiritual
and other human rights characteristics (Committee of
Ministers Recommendation, 2010).”

10. Human Rights Characteristics.

11. What is the basic concept of Human Rights Education?
The United Nations World Programme for Human Rights
Education defines HRE as:
“Education, training and information aimed at building
a universal culture of human rights. A comprehensive
education in human rights not only provides knowledge
about human rights and the mechanisms that protect
them, but also imparts the skills needed to promote,
defend and apply human rights in daily life. Human rights
education fosters the attitudes and behaviors needed to
uphold human rights for all members of society.”

12. What is the objective of Human Rights Education?
Effective
human
rights
education
has two
essential
objectives
• learning about human rights
• learning for human rights