2012-06-26 07:51:57

Dear Friends:

Unfortunately in our institution we are quite disappointed due to the fact that the last three governments we have had, didn’t express interest to encourage Human Rights Education in our country. As an institution dedicated, since 1985, to implement several projects in this field, we did try to come to agreements with the Ministry of Education in order to promote human rights, civic and citizen education in the formal educational system. None of our efforts at this level render effect, particularly during the last government (Alan Gracía) because this government had no interest at all to promote, not only human rights education as such, but human rights in general. Just In case they didn’t know (could it be possible?) we did convey to the officers in the Ministry of Education all the UN documents concerning the World Plan for Human Rights Education as it was approved in 2005, First and Second Fase, but unfortunately up to this moment none has been implemented in a formal way. The theme Human Rights has been introduced in the National Curriculum, but it is just a name.

Within this frame, as far as we know, nothing is been done with regard to the UNDHRET. No diffusion, no dialogue about it with the civil society organizations, or at the State Departments.

As IPEDEHP, we have continue working, training school teachers, social leaders, youth groups, peasants ground root organizations, police officers and other groups, in different parts of our country. Perhaps the officers at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs know about the UNDHRET, but I doubt that officers from other State Departments know about it. This is why we feel so sad and disappointed.

Best regards,

Pablo

Pablo Zavala Sarrio
Board of Directors
Instituto Peruano de Educación
en Derechos Humanos y la Paz
Calle Comandante Jiménez, 480
Magdalena del Mar - Lima
Tlf. + 51.1.616 82 00
http://www.ipedehp.org.pe

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On 2012-06-22, Global HRE Moderator wrote:

Dear List Members,

As the first topic of our on-line forum on the UN Declaration on Human Rights Education and Training (UNDHRET), we propose to first take stock: what is currently taking place in relation to this document in our institutions and societies?

As a reminder, on 19 December 2011, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted the Declaration on Human Rights Education and Training. This landmark document recognises the right of every one of the planet's seven billion people to have access to human rights education, a lifelong process involving all ages, all parts of society, and every kind of education, formal, non-formal and informal.

The UNDHRET clearly defines human rights education and related terms (e.g. culture of human rights), and its relationship to the right to education, drawn from good practices around the world. It emphasises the need for education and training of both "rights-holders" and "duty-bearers", those individuals or institutions who have to guarantee or protect human rights -- for example law enforcement officials and public officials. The Declaration also recognises the importance of civil society organisations and other stakeholders -- e.g. educational agencies, NGOs, professional associations -- in human rights education and training. The Declaration does not specifically recognise human rights education and training as a human right, but is an expression of commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights. The adoption of this new Declaration offers educators and policy makers an opportunity to reassess national policies and priorities in the light of international standards.

The following questions can guide our discussion this week (20-26 June) on what is currently happening in relation to the UNDHRET:
* In your assessment, are the duty-bearers (e.g. government ministries, policy makers, education authorities, law enforcement officials and other public officials) and rights-holders (trainees, students, citizens) in your country aware of the adoption of the UNDHRET? Was their media attention for the UNDHRET? Was the document published by your government? Have you/your organisation undertaken efforts to publicise the UNDHRET?
* To your knowledge, have NGOs, civil society organisations or others already used the UNDHRET as a tool for lobbying and advocacy, or, for example, as a means of attracting financial resources from private sources as well as by governments? If so, what were some of the initial results of these efforts?
* As a result of the adoption of the UNDHRET, have priorities been shifted or set and/or are there plans to develop or revise a national implementation strategy (such as a Plan of Action or similar strategic document)?
* If so, has the national strategy been implemented? How? Who is involved in its implementation (governments, national human rights institutions, NGOs, civil society, etc.)?

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