Category: News and Updates

We are pleased to announce the 2026 Annual Conference of the Comparative and International Education Society (CIES) will be held in San Francisco from March 28 to April 1, 2026. The theme of the conference is “Re-examining Education and Peace in a Divided World.” This theme invites us to revisit one of the most enduring and foundational missions of the field—peace—on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of our Society. We encourage a broad range of submissions that reflect diverse perspectives, and aim to foster meaningful dialogue and critical reflection. Through these contributions, we hope to generate thought-provoking discussions that advance the goals of global peace, social cohesion, and justice.  We welcome proposals from across disciplines, regions, and methodologies, particularly those that focus on the intersections of peace and education, as well as those engaging with the broader dimensions of Comparative and International Education. In addition to paper presentations, the conference will offer interactive workshops and networking events designed to promote collaboration and support the growth of our field.

The Call for Submissions is now open! The deadline for all submission types is August 26, 2025, at 11:59pm ET. Please carefully review the CIES submission information for details on presentation formats, submission requirements, and review criteria.  If you already have a CIES username and password, please use them to log in to the All Academic submission system. If you are unsure whether you have an account or have forgotten your username, please contact membership@cies.us. The CIES 2026 Annual Meeting will include both on-site and virtual sessions. When submitting your proposal, you will be asked to indicate your preferred presentation format (onsite or virtual). If you have any questions, please contact the CIES Conference Team at conference@cies.us.

Submission deadline: August 26, 2025 11:59pm ET

>> Learn more

This course will introduce educators to the six-lesson curriculum developed collaboratively between HREA and Pedagog.ai. In each of the webinars, a key AI and Human Rights theme will be presented and discussed, followed by an interactive activity. In addition, the course offers supplemental, practical readings that are connected with the lesson topics.

The curriculum AI, Human Rights and Education fills a unique gap in addressing AI and its critical use in learning environments from a human rights perspective. It is also an opportunity to learn ‘the basics’ of AI as well as human rights education. This course will be useful for educators, regardless of previous experience or knowledge of AI and human rights.

Registration deadline: June 30, 2025

July 7-25, 2025, virtual
Time: 10-11:30am EDT
Days: Tuesdays and Thursday at 10am ET from July 7th-July 24th

>> Learn more

The National Council for the Social Studies invites educators to the third annual Virtual Summer Conference on June 25-26, 2025. This year’s conference will explore how the power of civil discourse can foster empathy, understanding, and a deeper appreciation for diverse perspectives within the classroom.

Participants will:

• Learn and practice effective strategies for guiding students in active listening, empathetic communication, and respectful disagreement that allows for civil dialogue to thrive.
• Explore how to incorporate diverse narratives and perspectives into classroom deliberations to challenge biases and promote understanding.
• Examine the role of technology and digital tools in facilitating meaningful and inclusive student engagement.
• Gain valuable insights from experienced educators and researchers on the importance of civil discourse in cultivating informed and engaged citizens.
• Network with colleagues and share best practices for fostering a culture of respect and understanding in the classroom.

This virtual conference will provide educators with the tools and knowledge to cultivate a classroom culture that values diverse voices, encourages critical thinking, and empowers students to become active and responsible participants in a democratic society.

Wednesday, June 25 – Thursday, June 26, 2025, virtual
$99 Member / $199 Nonmember* | $49 Student Member / $149 Student Nonmember* | Groups of 4 or more: $79 per registrant

>> Learn more and register

*Nonmember registration includes 1-year of NCSS membership active from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026.
**Special for Methods Professors: Your class roster receives free registration with your paid registration! Email Conference@NCSS.org with your registration receipt and your class roster to redeem this special registration promotion! Offer expires on June 13, 2025.**

HRE USA member Mischa Geracoulis has just come out with a new book, published by Routledge!

Analyzing media coverage in cases where cultural heritage sites have been destroyed during conflict, occupation, and war, this book highlights the important role media play in the preservation of cultural heritage when states or other combatants engage in human rights violations.

Author Mischa Geracoulis discusses how the role of journalism and the media during times of conflict is to report information from the front lines and war zones with integrity, and report accurately when states or other combatants engage in human rights violations. This book examines the media coverage, language, and discourse surrounding two key situations—the destruction of Armenian cultural heritage in Artsakh/Nagorno‑Karabakh and that of Palestinian cultural heritage in Gaza—and explores the ways media coverage has succeeded or failed in accurately illustrating the destruction of cultural heritage as a human rights violation. Geracoulis emphasizes the importance of factual, ethical reporting and sufficient coverage, underlining professional journalistic standards and best practices for the future to ensure similar destruction is not only understood but responded to within a human rights framework.

This book will be of interest to students and scholars of media, journalism, and cultural studies, as well as media professionals interested in the role and influence of media framing and narratives on war, conflict, human rights, and humanitarian response.

>> Learn more 

Which social problem moves you? At the 2025 Theater and Human Rights Institute, teachers will learn how they and their students can use theater to reflect, learn, speak up, and share stories to bring about change.

This professional development workshop introduces human rights education frameworks and theater-based learning techniques as an effective method for engaging students with human rights issues. Co-hosted by Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights and Educators for Excellence, this three-day event will be held in person in New York City from June 13 to June 15.

The institute will provide guidance on researching and writing dramatic monologues based on the lives of both global and local human rights defenders, aligning these narratives with various subject areas such as social sciences, language arts, and environmental studies. During the event, attendees will learn how to facilitate project-based learning opportunities for students, including participation in the Speak Truth to Power video contest and the staging of performances featuring defender monologues. Educators will also learn how to incorporate the Human Rights Temperature of Your School assessment tool to measure students’ understanding of human rights and social-emotional learning competencies, ensuring the program’s impact is both measurable and meaningful.

Friday, June 13 – Sunday, June 15, 2025, 9 am–4 pm, New York City

>> Learn more

Thank you to The Brainary for its generous contribution to HRE USA of 1,300 copies of The Human Rights Game! All proceeds for the games—currently 1/2 price from $50 to $25—through our Online Shop will support HRE USA Regional Chapters throughout the United States.

HRE USA wants to extend a BIG SHOUT OUT thanks to HRE USA’s Regional Charter Representatives who are serving as our four region distributors for HRE training and outreach support with the Human Rights Games:

• Julie Rinker (Texas Rep. – South)
• Maddy Wegner (Minnesota Rep. – Midwest)
• Jess Westhoff (Idaho Rep. – West)
• Yvonne Vissing (New Hampshire – East)

Please contact Kristi Rudelius-Palmer at kristi@hreusa.org if you have forthcoming trainings where The Human Rights Game may be showcased at conferences where you can help to sell them to sustain our local human rights education efforts.

>> See The Human Rights Game (50% off!) in our shop

The Zinn Education Project, in conjunction with more than 80 prominent racial and social justice organizations, will hold a national briefing on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, to discuss the growing chorus of diverse voices speaking out against the state and federal attack on students’ freedom to learn and educators’ freedom to teach.

For the past four summers, educators, students, parents, and allies have joined across the country to speak out against politicians attempting to restrict the freedoms of educators and students. This year, from Puerto Rico to Alaska, and many towns and cities in between, organizers will host more than 160 events on Saturday, June 7 and beyond. The goal is to raise awareness about how anti-history education laws and book bans — and their chilling effect — threaten any chance of an informed and engaged democracy. View a list of locations and activities.

What: Day of Action to Teach the Truth Briefing, June 3 (The Day of Action is on June 7.)

When: Tuesday, June 3, 2025, 1:00 pm – 1:50 pm EST

Where: Via Zoom.  

Why:  To draw attention to the chilling effects the restrictive laws introduced or passed that restrict, ban, or censor what educators can teach and what their students can learn about history, LGBTQ+ rights, race, and gender, among other topics.

>> Learn more and RSVP