We are pleased to announce the availability of our latest installment of podcast episodes in Human Rights Education NOW! Episodes 46 & 47 feature conversations with Kristi Rudelius-Palmer. Kristi Rudelius-Palmer, Ph.D., is a distinguished human rights learning consultant, strategy advisor, and director for Human Rights Educators USA. As a Fulbright Specialist (2023-2026), she collaborated with the University of Iceland’s School of Education to launch its first course on human rights and ecological well-being. Kristi co-founded the International Association for Human Rights Education and the University and College Consortium for Human Rights Education and serves on the executive committee of Minneapolis’ Child Friendly City initiative, recognized by UNICEF USA. From 1989 to 2016, she co-directed the University of Minnesota Human Rights Center, spearheading initiatives such as the Human Rights Library and the K-12 Minnesota Human Rights Education Initiative. Her publications include “Stories As Theories”: Illuminating Human Rights Education Through The Narratives Of Human Rights Educators, Towards a Just Society: The Personal Journeys of Human Rights Educators, Storytelling as a, Relational and Instrumental Tool for Addressing Racial Justice, Human Rights Education Handbook: Effective Practices for Learning, Action, and Change, and Taking Your Human Rights Temperature.
Episode 46: Kristi Rudelius-Palmer, Part One
In Episode 46, Dr. Kristi Rudelius-Palmer reflects on the origins of her passion for human rights and human rights education, tracing it back to transformative experiences during her junior year in Europe, where she developed an interest in anti-racist/anti-apartheid activism and founded an Amnesty International chapter at her college. She highlights the profound influence of her family, particularly the lessons drawn from Holocaust history and the importance of caring for others, which shaped her commitment to social justice. Kristi discusses her tenure at the University of Minnesota Human Rights Center, where mentorship by Dr. David Weissbrodt deepened her understanding of institution-building and the power of networking in human rights education. She emphasizes the significance of initiatives like internship programs, the development of the World Programme for Human Rights Education, and the creation of an internet-based library of UDHR and human rights education materials. Kristi shares insights from her collaborations with global HRE leaders, focusing on effective training practices for educators and the importance of intergenerational storytelling in advancing human rights education. Looking ahead, she discusses her leadership role at Human Rights Educators USA, highlighting priorities such as fostering youth leadership, sustaining relationships during challenging times, and leveraging podcasting and scholarly journals to expand the reach and impact of human rights education globally.
Topics discussed:
- Anti-racist/anti-apartheid activism and founding an Amnesty International chapter.
- Family influence and lessons from Holocaust history.
- Mentorship by Dr. David Weissbrodt on institution-building and networking.
- Work on the World Programme for Human Rights Education and UDHR library.
- Global collaborations on educator training and HRE practices.
- Leadership at HRE USA, focusing on youth leadership and storytelling.
- Podcasting and scholarly journals for expanding HRE impact.
Full topic listing available for PDF download HERE.
Listen on our Buzzsprout podcast website HERE.
Episode 47: Kristi Rudelius-Palmer, Part Two
In Episode 47, Dr. Kristi Rudelius-Palmer reflects on her work in human rights education (HRE), beginning with her learnings from Indigenous activist educators and communities along with the importance of integrating the International Indian Treaty Council initiatives, the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and the American Indian Movement into educational frameworks. She discusses efforts to create spaces for learning about Indigenous cultures while addressing public misconceptions about Indigenous history, such as reinterpreting Columbus’s legacy to challenge flawed historical narratives. Kristi emphasizes the connection between HRE and social justice, advocating for collective human rights experiences and respecting diverse perspectives. She stresses the need for action against injustice, encouraging a shift from guilt to responsibility, drawing on LeVar Burton’s work to explore intersectional identities. Kristi also explores the application of HRE in addressing children’s rights, highlighting the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and initiatives like child-friendly cities and the “Raising Children with Rights and Responsibilities” curriculum. Her work emphasizes youth involvement in securing their rights through platforms like the HRE USA Training As Action Series. Kristi discusses the rise of authoritarianism and the importance of educational standards from an HRE perspective, alongside advocating for youth engagement in democracy. Inspired by role models such as Harriet Tubman, Martin Luther King Jr., and Eleanor Roosevelt, Kristi underscores the importance of storytelling in advancing human rights education. She concludes with a recommended strategy for advancing HRE in the U.S., proposing a nationwide human rights scavenger hunt to connect communities with the principles of the UDHR and create spaces where human rights can flourish.
Topics discussed:
- HRE with Indigenous communities and cultural learning spaces
- Addressing misconceptions of Indigenous history
- HRE’s role in social justice and challenging injustices
- Child rights and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
- Democracy and the rise of authoritarianism
- Influence of figures like Harriet Tubman and MLK Jr.
- Strategy for advancing HRE in the U.S. through community engagement
Full topic listing available for PDF download HERE.
Listen on our Buzzsprout podcast website HERE.
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