[hre-asiapacific] Re: Theoretical framework, legal bases and history of HRE

Dear All,

We are living in a world where relationships have reached their worst that
ever could be- whether personal, professional or in general. In such a
situation, I feel in order to utilise these advantages to their fullest
potential, HRE should be and is being merged into current fields being
taught in school and colleges, instead of waiting "for a separate space at
principal's desk" as Abraham Magendzo has very beautifully put.

Of course, complimentary efforts for special courses should be made but I
think the daunting task is to make the ordinary teachers "people who
care".

This discussion reminds me of an article I had written earlier this year,
that has been published in an Indian women's magazine. It was about how
HRE can provide true empowerment to women (especially urban women). I am
reproducing excerpts from my article, which I feel would provide insight
into the current discussion.

Human rights education is about interest in history of violation observed
or directly experienced, receptivity and commitment to change the world to
become a better place for all.

Four objectives of quality education are:
1. promotion of self realization;
2. promotion of civil responsibility;
3. promotion of economic efficiency;
4. promotion of human relationship.

Academic education mainly revolves around information about a particular
subject and aims towards economic efficiency. School or college education
includes at the most extra-curricular activity, participation in which is
purely optional, that involves skill and capacity development of the
individual. The type of education system that we have in India cannot
boast of producing "enlightened literates" as the moral values and
spiritual education is hardly seen. Even most educated women are not aware
of their rights and unable to successfully claim their entitlements.

Human rights education on the other hand includes all the four objectives.
It is not only about knowledge of a set of rules and principles, BUT it is
about change in attitude and behaviour, about enhancing knowledge of human
rights and duties and promoting solidarity and developing critical
thinking and skills. It's a holistic form of education.

At the core, I think, the root of human rights violations lie in power
imbalances in all areas of life -- political, national, social, family
community, religion etc. I feel if deeper understanding of these
imbalances is introduced in understanding diversity and respecting
differences, our present day awareness and sensitization programs would
prove much more effective.

Moreover "biased mind" cannot be so easily tamed to the international
human rights standards as each individual/group's mind/line of thought
suffers from varied kinds of biases. These biases are rooted in religion
and popular culture. Instead of enjoying its benefits, all the negative
and insensitive handling of the subjects has lead to negative connotations
of religion and its core values of spirituality - that in itself has an
enormous potential to help implement our present human rights law. I ask
you - does a human life only has civil, political, social, cultural and
economic aspect? What happened to the spiritual perspective?

Ms. Kanwal Preet Kaur
Human Rights Consultant (research and training)
New Delhi
India



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