Human Rights Education Associates

HREA Director Felisa Tibbitts appointed UNESCO Chair in Human Rights in Higher Education

HREA Director Felisa Tibbitts has been appointed UNESCO Chair in Human Rights in Higher Education at Utrecht University.  Launched in 1992, the UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs Programme, which involves over 700 institutions in 116 countries, promotes international inter-university cooperation and networking to enhance institutional capacities through knowledge sharing and collaborative work.  The main purpose of the newly established Chair in Human Rights in Higher Education is to promote an integrated system of research, training, information and documentation on human rights education and human rights-based approaches within universities.

“I am truly delighted to be appointed in this UNESCO Chair position,” says Prof. Tibbitts, “as it will allow me to strengthen the international dimension of my research on human rights and higher education. This is a challenging time for higher education in different parts of the world as institutions grapple with issues of accessibility and inclusion.”  Dr. Tibbitts’ focus includes teaching human rights and in identifying ways to strengthen university practices in non-discrimination, historical accountability, inclusion and diversity, including a gender dimension.   Prof. Tibbitts anticipates collaborating with higher education institutions and networks in other countries and regions.