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HRE USA

A network dedicated to building a culture of human rights

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The HRE USA Edmonds Summer Fellowship application is now open!

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Apply Now → Application Link  and Fellowship Descriptions

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About the Edmonds Fellowship

In August of 2020, Human Rights Educators USA (HRE USA) lost one of its sustaining sources of inspiration and committed leadership – Kirby Edmonds. As a founding member of HRE USA, Kirby was instrumental in the establishment of HRE USA, directly shaping our mission statement, organizational structure, and most importantly our values framework and the consensus-based policy for decision-making. He served as Co-Chair of HRE USA for nearly a decade.

In honor of his legacy, HRE USA has created the Edmonds Summer Fellowship to support hands-on leadership experience in human rights education and further Kirby’s work to engage young people in building human rights-friendly schools and communities. Fellows are supported with ongoing mentoring, guidance, and human rights learning opportunities throughout the summer. 

The Edmonds Summer Fellowship is supported in partnership with the Dorothy Cotton Institute (DCI) which carries on the legacy of civil rights legend Dorothy F. Cotton. Kirby served DCI as a Senior Fellow and Program Coordinator. DCI’s vision is a just and peaceful beloved community in which all people understand, protect and exercise full human rights. Their mission is to develop and train leaders for a global human rights movement and build a network of civil and human rights leadership. DCI’s Project Director, Laura Branca, said “Our Steering Committee proudly supports the Edmonds Fellowship to nurture young leaders and promote practices that transform individuals, schools and communities, opening new pathways to peace, justice and healing. What a fine way to honor Kirby’s legacy!”

Eligibility & Compensation 

  • Ability to commit 100 hours between June 1-August 30, 2025
  • 18 years old or older
  • $1500 stipend
  • Reside in the United States
  • Commitment to vision and mission of HRE USA

Edmonds Fellowship Project Descriptions 

Project A:  2025 Training as Action Series Development & Evaluation

Project B: Fundraising Strategy and Sustainability Project

2025 Edmonds Summer Fellowship Application 

Deadlines/Timeframe

Application deadline is March 28, 2025. 

If your application is selected as a finalist, you will be contacted for an interview. 

Final decisions will be announced by April 25, 2025. 

Substantive questions about the fellowship may be sent to both: 

  • Jake Skrzypiec (Chair, Edmonds Summer Fellowship Committee, HRE USA) at jacob.skrzypiec@gmail.com
  • Kristi Rudelius-Palmer (Project Director, HRE USA) at kristi@hreusa.org

Donations to support the Edmonds Summer Fellowship can be made online or checks can be made out to the Center for Transformative Action with “HRE USA Edmonds Fellowship” in the memo line and mailed to the Center for Transformative Action, P.O. Box 760, Ithaca, NY 14851

A note about HRE USA Resources and Engaging with the Network

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To support our network of human rights educators, HRE USA provides lesson plans and resources teaching about human rights, through human rights and for human rights.

📚 These lessons and resources are available for free in our Human Rights Education Library and HRE Collections.

💬 HRE USA members also have access to the HRE USA Discussion Forum to share resources, events, and converse with fellow HRE practitioners.

🖇️ If you have time and interest, please consider joining one of  HRE USA’s Action Teams: HRE USA Action Teams and Working Group. We ask interested members to please complete the following HRE USA Leadership Survey 2025. Our Team Chairs will be in touch with you soon.

🛍️ Shop for UN declaration and convention booklets, posters, teaching materials, HRE USA publications, and the Human Rights Game at our shop.

SIMA Academy Webinar and Film Screening

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March 6, 2025

11AM -12PM PST

Join us for an inspiring evening at the SIMA Short Film Screening, where the power of storytelling meets the global call for sustainable development. This unique event showcases a curated selection of short films that bring the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to life. These thought-provoking films explore key issues such as climate action, gender equality, poverty alleviation, and clean water access, illustrating how communities around the world are tackling the challenges of today to create a better tomorrow.

Immerse yourself in powerful narratives that highlight the impact of social, environmental, and economic changes, and see how filmmakers are using their craft to inspire action, raise awareness, and drive positive change. Whether you’re an advocate for sustainability, a lover of cinema, or simply curious about how films can ignite social transformation, this screening is for you.

Don’t miss the opportunity to witness how film can bring the SDGs to life in a way that’s compelling, impactful, and unforgettable!

Films line-up:
1. Words of a Changemaker
This film features inspiring stories from individuals who have made significant contributions to their communities and the world. Through their narratives, viewers gain insights into the challenges and triumphs of changemakers dedicated to creating positive social impact.

2. Detroit Hives
Detroit Hives explores the transformation of vacant lots in Detroit into thriving urban bee farms. This initiative not only revitalizes the community but also promotes environmental sustainability and education, highlighting the intersection of urban agriculture and social entrepreneurship.

3. Cross World:
Cross World delves into the lives of individuals who bridge cultural divides through innovative projects and collaborations. The film showcases how these efforts foster understanding, unity, and progress across diverse communities, emphasizing the power of cross-cultural exchange in addressing global challenges.

Join Here

TAAS Module 7: Big Actions, Big Feelings: Practical Empathy in Human Rights

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In human rights work, it is a challenge to navigate the difficult and complex emotions one experiences as a professional while maintaining one’s humanity and empathy. In this module, participants will better understand methods to avoid becoming burnt out or emotionally drained in their human rights work by exploring different wellness strategies and opportunities for community support.

 Flyer

Monday, March 10, 7-8:30 pm EST 

 Register here

Episodes 50 & 51 with Equitas are available on Human Rights Education Now!

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We are pleased to announce the availability of our latest installment of podcast episodes in Human Rights Education NOW! Episodes 50 & 51 feature conversations with Dr. Candace H. Blake-Amarante and Jean-Sébastien Vallée.

Dr. Candace H. Blake-Amarante is the Knowledge Manager at Equitas, where she creates and shares knowledge on human rights education. An author, she focuses on children’s rights and incorporates the voices of children with chronic illnesses in her works, including The Dream Machine and You, Me and Victor Hugo! She holds a Ph.D. in political science from Columbia University. 

Jean-Sébastien Vallée is the Director of Education and Communications at Equitas, with 20 years of experience in education and human rights. He has developed educational tools and facilitated training programs worldwide. Formerly a human rights educator at the Québec Human Rights Commission, he holds a Master’s in Second-Language Education from McGill University.

Episode 50: Equitas, Part One

Candace and Jean-Sébastien were drawn to human rights through their professional experiences—Candace via her doctoral research and storytelling, and Jean-Sébastien through his work in language education. Their current roles at Equitas emphasize practical, collaborative approaches, including creating dialogue spaces and survivor-centered initiatives. They address challenges in engaging public institutions, supporting Indigenous rights, and implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s recommendations. Equitas is actively working to decolonize its policies by incorporating non-Western perspectives, challenging mainstream narratives, and fostering equitable knowledge-sharing through projects like “Power of Equality.”

Topics Discussed:
  • Origins of Interest in Human Rights: Candace’s passion grew through research and storytelling; Jean-Sébastien was driven by supporting marginalized communities.
  • Influence of Prior Work: Candace uses storytelling to make human rights accessible; Jean-Sébastien applies his language education experience to HRE.
  • Equitas’ Strategies: Works globally with local partners, facilitates dialogue, and creates survivor-centered approaches.
  • Challenges in Implementation: Preparing participants for sharing experiences, engaging institutions like law enforcement, and supporting gender-based violence survivors.
  • Indigenous Rights & Reconciliation: Recognizing Indigenous land and advancing Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommendations.
  • Decolonizing Equitas’ Work: Collaborating globally to reshape education programs, confront biases, and integrate non-Western perspectives.

Full topic listing available for PDF download HERE.

Listen on our Buzzsprout podcast website HERE.

Episode 51: Equitas, Part Two

Candace and Jean-Sébastien emphasize the importance of engaging young people in human rights work by connecting activism to historical and disciplinary knowledge. They discuss how educators must integrate a human rights perspective into their teaching, fostering self-reflection and transformative learning beyond facts to include attitudes, skills, and behaviors. The conversation highlights the challenges of decolonizing education, advocating for the inclusion of colonization studies in curricula and fostering a sense of global community beyond national identities. They highlight the importance of “togethering” — uniting people across borders to build a more inclusive human rights movement. Addressing rising authoritarianism, Equitas is working on projects to create safe spaces for activists and provide training to counter oppression. Influential human rights defenders and theorists inspire their work, including Janusz Korczak, Aly Sanou, and Charlot Jeudy. Ultimately, they advocate for embedding human rights education more deeply into Canadian policies and curricula.

Topics Discussed:
  • Engaging Youth in Human Rights: Link activism with historical and disciplinary knowledge, like climate change and scientific literacy.
  • Human Rights Education (HRE) for Teachers: Emphasize universality, self-reflection, and continuous learning beyond knowledge.
  • Decolonizing Education: Address knowledge gaps, incorporate colonization studies, and promote global unity.
  • Building Inclusive Movements: Move from exclusion-based to inclusion-based discourse; let local communities lead.
  • HRE and Cosmopolitanism: Promote global citizenship rooted in respect for human rights.
  • Countering Authoritarianism: Develop safe spaces for activists and training programs to combat oppression.
  • Influential Role Models: Jean-Sébastien is inspired by global human rights defenders; Candace by child rights theorist Janusz Korczak.
  • Inspirational Quotes: Candace values optimism in education, while Jean-Sébastien highlights human rights as an interconnected whole.
  • Future of HRE in Canada: Advocate for implementing the World Programme for Human Rights Education.

Full topic listing available for PDF download HERE.

Listen on our Buzzsprout podcast website HERE.

Thank you for supporting the Human Rights Education NOW! podcast!

2025 NCSS Conference Submissions

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The deadline for the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) sessions proposals is February 28, 2025 – NCSS Annual Conference Call for Proposals | Social Studies. The 2025 NCSS Conference will be held in Washington, DC from December 5-7, 2025.

Please consider submitting a session proposal—there is a “human rights” content area.

Chris Buckley and Jake Skrzypiec, our the NCSS Human Rights Education Community Co-Chairs as well as serving as our HRE USA Connecticut Regional Reps among other roles (ccd here). If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to one of them. We are happy to provide input or if someone is interested in finding a collaborator, we can try to assist as well. We plan to have an HRE USA/Woven Teaching booth, film launch, and community gathering. More to come on those fronts.

Submissions due February 28, 2025

>> Submit a proposal

We are grateful for the generous support of our members, individual donors, and The Puffin Foundation Ltd
The core values of HRE USA and its partner organizations include transparency and critical thinking skills. We believe that human rights--and human rights education--belong to everyone, and that the full realization of human rights means that access to human rights education materials must never be conditioned upon the subscription to any particular religious faith, ideology, political affiliation, or membership in any particular organization and that any organizational connections should be openly acknowledged.