[hr-education] Re: Needs in the HRE field

Dear Colleagues,

UNICEF/Operation Lifeline Sudan (OLS) has recently initiated a Human
Rights Promotion project in rebel-held areas of southern Sudan.  The
following comments are based on our initial needs assessments and the
first field tests of the UNICEF/OLS manual for human rights workshops.

What type of activities need to be further developed in the HRE field?  
In southern Sudan, the HRE activities likely to have the most significant
impact on the lives of civilians are human rights training sessions for
rebel soldiers.  UNICEF plans to adapt our standard workshop manuals that
are normally used at the grassroots level so that they will also be
applicable for the military.  This activity is important because civilians
constantly complain of violations by soldiers who act with impunity,
despite strong statements against human rights abuses by the rebel
movements' top leadership.

Globally, effective methods of monitoring and evaluation are sorely
lacking.  We cannot be satisfied only with listing the number of people
who received human rights education.  After all, the goal is to change
behavior so that human rights are respected.  Anecdotal evaluations can
provide useful stories but are not always reliable.  Interviewees may tell
the interviewer what they think he/she wants to hear and the negative side
effects of HRE may not be mentioned.

UNICEF/OLS is currently struggling with the best way to evaluate our
program.  We are considering running a Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices
(KAP) survey that we can use as a baseline against which to measure
changes over time.  We also hope to monitor court cases (in both
traditional and statutory law) to understand if our training courses for
judicial personnel are resulting in more child-friendly judgements.  
Ideas are very welcome from those of you with more extensive experience in
the field.

Which target groups need more attention (i.e. primary and secondary
schools, higher education, professional groups, women, community groups,
media)?  In Sudan: everyone!

What are the main needs in the area of materials development (i.e.
training, distribution and translation of exemplary materials, development
of original materials)?  In southern Sudan, the low education level of the
population means that we need a basic but thorough curriculum to introduce
human rights concepts at the grassroots level.  We need games, fun
exercises, and activities that can bring human rights concepts alive.  
Case studies are very well-received and we hope to develop locally
appropriate examples in the coming months.

What technical assistance is needed to implement or further develop HRE
programmes?  Again, monitoring and evaluation expertise is needed.
Specifically, UNICEF is looking for someone with expertise in conducting
KAP surveys on human rights issues.

Is further funding required?  Absolutely.  UNICEF advanced the money to
start the program, but donors have contributed only small amounts.  We are
hoping that an initial success will convince additional donors to support
the program.

How can the UN help?  UNICEF, which now follows a rights-based
programming strategy, should integrate HRE into standard country
programmes.  Many country offices are already active in HRE through child
protection, advocacy, or program communication units, however they do not
view themselves as human rights educators.  Changing our mindset to see
ourselves as human rights educators can expose us to useful information
that otherwise passes us by.

How can governments help? Wealthy states should recognize the importance
of human rights education as a long-term method of developing peaceful and
productive societies.  HRE is an important piece of the peace puzzle.  
Sound investments in HRE today can prevent these states from having to
spend hundreds of millions to combat complex humanitarian emergencies.

How can NGOs and civil society help?  These groups can incorporate HRE
into standard programs that reach millions of people.  Youth groups,
health worker training courses, waterpump mechanic workshops, and church
services are all ideal fora for a brief mention of human rights issues.  
HRE should not be the responsibility or task of only the human rights
organizations.  Rather, traditional assistance-giving NGOs have an
important role to play, as well.


-Julianna Lindsey
UNICEF/OLS

Julianna Lindsey
UNICEF/Operation Lifeline Support
Nairobi, Kenya



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