[hr-education] Human rights teaching in Perm region (Russia)

We are glad to send you information about our work. We hope it will be
very interesting for all list members and will help us to establish long
lasting fruitful cooperation you.

The "School of human rights" works within the Perm chapter of "Memorial"  
since 1998. It was established to give young people a thorough knowledge
of human rights. Andrei Suslov, member of "Memorial" director's board runs
this program. At present it is one of the main and of the most successful
programs of "Memorial"-Perm. Currently the "School of human rights" acts
within Center for the Support of Democratic Youth Initiatives.  It has
become a kind of a methodological - educational institution intended to
foster systematic human rights teaching in the education system of the
Perm region.

Among the main goals of "School of human rights" is to attract new forces
to human rights teaching. We try to do all possible to explain to teachers
the importance of human rights teaching and how to teach it. To date
within "School of human rights" program we have conducted 6 one- or
two-day seminars on the methods of human rights teaching in which about 80
Perm region teachers have participated. In October 1999 twelve Perm
teachers attended the 72-hour course "Methods of human rights teaching in
schools" in Moscow (they received state certificates). In November 2000
twelve more teachers attended the same course.

In 2000 we conducted 2 one-day seminars on methods of human rights
teaching in which more than 30 teachers participated. Besides the course
"Methods of human rights teaching in schools" was held in other towns of
Perm region (Solikamsk - for 50 people (12 hours), Kungur - for 28 people
(24 hours), Chaikovsky - for 30 people (24 hours), Berezniki - for 30
people (18 hours), Osa - for 20 people (12 hours)). This year we started
to prepare human rights teaching staff in the neighboring regions. We
conducted 36-hour course on methods of human rights teaching in
Ekaterinburg. Soon we will conduct trainings in Kirov and Kudymkar.

The most important part of the program is practical teaching of the
experimental course "Human rights" in comprehensive schools. We started to
teach in 3 Perm schools in 1998. In 2000 the methodologists of the program
conducted lessons in different forms of 8 schools. But at present not only
they conduct human rights lessons. The circle of teachers/practitioners in
our region significantly grew. As a rule they participated in our seminars
or courses. Today human rights are taught in more than 50 schools of the
Perm region and in the Pedagogical University.

For two years the course "Human rights teaching in schools" (24 hours) is
taught for History department students of Perm State Pedagogical
University. This course let us not only work out methods but also
influence directly the formation of democratic outlook of students.
Besides we have managed to attract two teachers of Perm faculty of
Juridical Institute of Inner Affairs Ministry to the work of the program
"Schools of human rights". They assist greatly in preparation of
methodological materials and already conduct separate lessons on human
rights for cadets. Next year they plan to conduct special educational
course.

We receive a lot of support in our efforts from the Regional Department of
Education and Science. In November 1999 an order about the approbation of
methodological book in region schools was issued. In June 2000 on the
basis of the region Institute of Educational Staff's Qualification Raising
we conducted a seminar devoted to the results of the approbation. It was
decided to continue our work. In 1999 the Center methodologists worked out
and published the methodological book "Human rights: methods of human
rights teaching in schools (forms 9-11)" (1000 copies). In May 2000 the
second edition of that book was issued (also 1000 copies). The
methodological materials were distributed for free among teachers of
comprehensive schools of the Perm region. In September 2000 copies of
didactic materials on human rights course were issued. We also have
started to prepare a textbook for students of forms 9-11 and the
methodological book for social workers and parents.

This year we started to work in a new direction - with social studies
teachers. In November specialized 72-hour courses "Human rights teaching
as a work method of social teachers" were held in Qualification Raising
Faculty of Perm State Pedagogical University. A special methodological
book for is being prepared now.

In the future we plan to expand our work to different large regions of
Russia groups that will teach human rights in the regions' schools. We can
count on the school teachers that have been trained so far. Regional
"Memorials" can be initiators and organizers. We think that they may use
as a basis at least a part of our experience. Neighboring (geographically)  
centers that have their own experience of work might help by
methodological materials and consultations, send their teachers to conduct
seminars and courses for teachers.

Sincerely,

Veronica Goussarova
Coordinator for international contacts
Center for the Suport of Democratic Youth Initiatives
Perm chapter of "Memorial"




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