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Category: News and Updates
Stop the destruction of the Dept. of Education
Educators, parents, and students are joining together at their neighborhood public schools from Somersworth, NH to South Haven, MI, to show our elected leaders that we support the services and protections our students and communities need to thrive.
You, too, can participate by urging your elected officials in Congress to stop the destruction of the U.S. Department of Education.
Submissions Open: 2025 March On! Filmmaker Competitions
Share Your Film. Shape the Future. Submissions Now Open for the 2025 March On! Filmmaker Competitions We invite Student and Emerging filmmakers to showcase their short-form narratives and documentaries centered on civil rights movements, the Civil Rights Era, and social justice issues. Submissions Open: 2025 March On! Filmmaker Competitions Winning filmmakers will have their work screened at the 2025 March On Festival and receive cash prizes, production support, and exclusive networking opportunities.  Awards & Prizes: 4 Jury Awards ($1,000 cash prize + production/travel support) 4 Special Mentions ($500 cash prize + production support)All 12 Shortlisted Finalists will have their films publicly screened at the festival. All 12 Shortlisted Finalists will also receive two All-Access Festival passes Eligibility:  Students: Must be currently enrolled or have graduated within 6 months of the festival. Emerging Filmmakers: Must have made their first film no earlier than 2020. Theme: Films must focus on civil rights or social justice. Early Bird Deadline: Friday, March 28, 2025 Know a talented filmmaker whose work deserves to be seen? Share this opportunity with them and help amplify the stories that move the movement forward! Learn More |
Women’s History Lessons for the Times We’re In
While we often associate activists with one struggle — such as voting rights, housing, education, or transportation — there are countless people who were and are active all their lives and engaged in multiple struggles around multiple issues.
We share below a lesson about Edna Griffin from Iowa as one example during this Women’s History Month.
This lesson about Edna Griffin challenges assumptions about the Civil Rights Movement and helps students see the interconnectedness of different struggles. The lesson is from our book, Putting the Movement Back Into Civil Rights Teaching.
The HRE USA Edmonds Summer Fellowship application is due by Friday, March 28, 2025!
Apply Now → Application Link and Fellowship Descriptions
Download Flyer
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
Apply now: UN Master of Arts in International Relations & Diplomacy
Dreaming of a career in international relations or working with the United Nations?
Schiller International University, in partnership with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), offers specialized master’s programs designed to prepare future global leaders. Through this collaboration, you will gain firsthand insights into international diplomacy, sustainable development, and the inner workings of the UN—equipping you with the skills to make a real impact on the world stage.
Empower Your Students With Civic Media Literacy
In today’s fast-changing media landscape, students need the skills to navigate information, identify misinformation, and understand how media shapes democracy. As an educator, you play a crucial role in equipping them with these essential skills.
That’s why the Center for Civic Education and the National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE) are excited to offer Civic Media Literacy, a professional learning workshop on Thursday, March 20, at 7 p.m. ET designed to help teachers integrate media literacy into civic education.
The Heroes We Need Today: Teaching About the Radical Ida B. Wells
With more schools and public spaces named for journalist and anti-lynching crusader Ida B. Wells, it is time for students to learn about the courage and vitality of this radical activist.
They also need to be ready to resist any efforts under this administration to remove Wells’ name from public spaces and curriculum.
High school teacher Matt Reed offers a lesson to introduce students to the life and work of Wells.
Read about the lesson and download it for free at Rethinking Schools.
The Rise of Podcasts as a Tool for Human Rights Education
Why Podcasts Are Effective for Human Rights Education
1. Accessible Anytime, Anywhere – Listeners can immerse themselves in human rights content daily, empowering independent learning.
2. Compelling Storytelling – Personal narratives transform abstract concepts into relatable realities, cultivating empathy and deeper understanding.
3. Global Reach—Unlike traditional classrooms, podcasts connect diverse audiences worldwide, sparking a vibrant dialogue on social justice.
EquiTalks: Voices of Human Rights Education
Produced by Equitas, a leading Canadian human rights education organization, Voices of Human Rights Education amplifies the voices of activists, educators, and community leaders. A particularly inspiring episode out of many features Elom, a human rights advocate originally from Togo, who, inspired by Nelson Mandela, leverages development economics to drive transformative social change.
Human Rights Education Now!
Produced by HRE USA, Human Rights Education Now! highlights the global movement to weave human rights education into schools and communities. Recent episodes showcase HRE USA Edmonds Fellows, young leaders passionately advocating for policy change through education.
These podcasts empower listeners to engage meaningfully with human rights issues, sharing impactful stories and strategies. Whether you’re an educator, activist, or simply curious, tuning in is a powerful step toward creating a more just world.
Want to dive in?
- Listen to EquiTalks: Voices of Human Rights Education
- Explore Human Rights Education Now!
Thank you to Tia Hinz, M.Ed. M.A., for writing this article and to Equitas for editing.
Human Rights Courses
Take free human rights online courses offered by the United Nations (UN), leading NGOs and top universities. Learn how the United Nations and other human rights organizations tackle the most pressing human rights issues of our time. The directory below contains both, introductory level courses and advanced courses on specific human rights issues. All courses in our list are available for free to audit or try. You may choose to opt-in for a paid verified certificate issued by the course providers that include Harvard University, Stanford University, UNICEF, among others. Most of the human rights courses listed on this page are self-paced. You can enroll yourself anytime, anywhere it suits you and start with your learning experience instantly.
HRE USA 