The Civic Learning Institute offers online courses for teachers and leaders in K-12 and higher education

Gain new insights and develop strategies to strengthen civic and history education in your classroom and school! The Civic Learning Institute offers engaging, interactive online courses for teachers and leaders in K-12 and higher education in which you will:

  • Deepen your understanding of critical concepts and content in US history and civics in courses designed and led by leading experts.
  • Enhance your teaching skills by experiencing first hand the powerful approaches to supporting learning that you can then use either in your own classroom to support student learning or in your school or department to support the learning of colleagues. 
  • Engage in discussions with other educators from across the country.
  • Develop (or revise) either a learning experience for students or a professional learning experience for colleagues that you can use in your own context.
  • Receive feedback and support from experienced educators who serve as coaches in the courses.

The first course, Our Declaration: “We the People” and the Declaration of Independence, taught by Harvard professor Danielle Allen, will begin October 7.

Registration for Our Declaration: “We the People” and the Declaration of Independence online course closes on October 4th!

Each course is aligned with the Roadmap to Educating for American Democracy.  Developed by a cross-ideological group of 300 educators, scholars, and practitioners, the Roadmap provides guidance for creating powerful civic and history learning experiences to support students in becoming skilled, motivated, and responsible participants in US constitutional democracy.

More infromation and registration

The premiere of CITIZEN NATION!

THE premiere of CITIZEN NATION! wil take place on October 8 at 9 p.m. ET. This captivating four-part documentary series will debut on PBS, YouTube, and Amazon Prime Video.

The four-part documentary follows high school students from across the country as they participate in the We the People competition, exploring essential questions about democracy and citizenship. This series offers an inspiring look at their journey to the National Finals in Washington, D.C.

To celebrate this exciting premiere, you have a few ways to join in the fun:

You can register to join the Center for Civic Education’s virtual watch party on premiere night. Connect with others from across the country as we watch CITIZEN NATION together.

Host your own watch party and engage your school or local community in this exciting event. The Center will provide you with the resources and support you need to host.

The Nevada Center for Civic Engagement will be hosting two watch parties. The Southern Nevada event will take place on October 9 at 6 p.m., and the Northern Nevada event is set for October 22 at 5:30 p.m. RSVP by October 7 (Las Vegas) and October 20 (Reno) at this link.

Episodes 40 & 41 with Sam Totten are available on Human Rights Education NOW!

We are pleased to announce the availability of our latest installment of podcast episodes in Human Rights Education NOW! Episodes 40 & 41 feature conversations with Sam Totten. Sam Totten is professor emeritus at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. His areas of research are: crimes against humanity and genocide in Sudan; the current war in Ukraine; the impact of genocide on the individual and the local community; the intervention and prevention of genocide; and the denial of genocide. Sam has served as an investigator with the U.S. State Department’s Atrocities Documentation Project, and as a Fulbright Scholar at the Centre for Conflict Management at the National University of Rwanda. His publications include: We Cannot Forget: Interviews with Survivors of the 1994 Genocide in Rwanda; Genocide by Attrition: Nuba Mountains, Sudan; Conflict in the Nuba Mountains: From Genocide by Attrition to the Current Crises; Sudan’s Nuba Mountains People Under Siege: Accounts by Humanitarians from the Battle Zone; Dirty Hands and Vicious Deeds: The U.S. Government’s Complicity in Crimes Against Humanity and Genocide; Centuries of Genocide: Critical Essays and Eyewitness Accounts; and All Eyes on the Sky – The Nuba Mountains, Sudan.

Episode 40: Sam Totten, Part One

In Episode 40, Sam Totten discusses the origins of his interest in human rights issues, as well as his transition into human rights education. Sam then describes his publications on HRE, along with his work with the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council/Museum and the Guidelines for Teaching about the Holocaust. Next, Sam shares his engagement with high school Amnesty International Chapters, before briefly touching on the fall of Communism and the opening of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. Sam examines the evolution of the field of genocide studies, debates about definitions of genocide, and the growth of journals and electronic media sites in genocide studies. Sam expands on his work as an a scholar-activist, including his investigative work in Darfur with refugees and humanitarian work in the Nuba Mountains in Sudan. 

Topics discussed:

  • Origins of his interest in human rights and human rights education
  • Published works in the HRE space
  • Work with the Holocaust Memorial Council/Museum 
  • Guidelines for Teaching about the Holocaust 
  • Engagement with High School Amnesty International Chapters
  • Fall of Communism and opening of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum 
  • Evolution of the field of Genocide Studies
  • Debates about definitions of “genocide” 
  • Work as a scholar-activist
  • Investigative work in Darfur and in the Nuba Mountains in Sudan

Full topic listing available for PDF download HERE.

Listen on our Buzzsprout podcast website HERE

Episode 41: Sam Totten, Part Two

In Episode 41, Sam Totten discusses the Genocide Studies Program in Rwanda and the challenges of implementing a masters curriculum. Sam then describes revisionist history, the Rwandan genocide, and issues-centered curriculum and human rights education. Next, Sam shares his thoughts on censorship issues in the United States, and his concerns about curriculum restrictions in K-12 and higher education. Sam analyzes issues around book banning and attacks on teachers, as well as self-censorship by educators. Sam then highlights his role models in human rights education (HRE) and key quotes which epitomize his views on HRE. Lastly, Sam concludes with his recommendation for advancing HRE in the United States, along with his concerns about the implications of Project 2025 if Donald Trump is re-elected and the importance of educators resisting censorship.

Topics discussed:

  • Genocide Studies Program in Rwanada and challenges of implementing curriculum 
  • Revisionist history and the Rwandan genocide 
  • Issues-centered curriculum and human rights education
  • Censorship in the United States
  • Concerns about curriculum restrictions in K-12 and higher education
  • Book banning and attacks on teachers
  • Self-censorship of educators 
  • Role models in human rights education and key quotes
  • Recommendations for advancing human rights education in the United States

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!

HREA online course: AI, Human Rights and Education: Register by October 4, 2024!

In collaboration with Pedagog.ai, HREA will be offering the online course AI, Human Rights and Education from Oct 10- Nov. 20th, 2024. https://lnkd.in/drkTiy2j

This course will be co-taught by HREA Director Felisa Tibbitts (she/her) and Pedagog.ai Curriculum Director Nina Bamberg and will introduce the six-lesson curriculum developed collaboratively. In each of the weekly webinars, one of the lessons will be presented and discussed, and an activity will be carried out to facilitate educator learning and practice with the topic. In addition, the course offers supplemental, practical readings that are connected with course topics.

Weekly themes are:

– The Basics of AI and Ethical Frameworks

– The Basics of Human Rights and Assessing the Impacts of AI using the Human Rights Framework

– AI Governance and its Role in Protecting Human Rights

– AI and the Right to Education

– AI and Human Rights Literacy Building

– Research Project and Wrapping Up the Unit

For more information about this course, including fees and how to register, visit https://lnkd.in/dWYdjKM4 Queries may be directed to ai-hre-course@pedagogy.cloud Enrollment deadline is Friday, October 4th.

TAAS Module 1: Youth Power: Defending Human Rights

Module 1 TAAS Launch session is on Monday, 9/30 sessionYouth Power: Defending Human Rights. on Zoom, at 7-9 pm EST. We hope to see you there!  

This module is the true start to the training series; all participants are highly encouraged to attend. The purpose of the session is to introduce the series and the theme, “Youth Power, Defending Human Rights: Actions and Learnings for the 35th Anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC),” while facilitating communitybuilding among participants.
 Register here

2024-25 Full TAAS Series

Countering Anti-Immigrant Prejudice: Strategies for Educators in a Politically Charged Climate

Register here

Date: Wednesday, September 25, 2024

Time: 7pm – 8:00pm ET

In the lead-up to the election, stereotypes, memes, and tropes about immigrants are proliferating, affecting the school environment, student well-being, and our communities at large. This webinar, hosted by Re-Imagining Migration, will equip educators with practical strategies to prevent, counter, and address anti-immigrant prejudice. Participants will learn strategies to lead insightful inquiry and discussion about the continuities and changes in anti-immigrant prejudice, critical media literacy strategies to analyze claims, and ways to respond to bias and bullying that can help foster empathy and understanding among students. By emphasizing the human impact of discrimination and leveraging best practices, educators can counter harmful stereotypes and promote a respectful and equitable learning environment for all students. Join us to build a community where every student feels valued and understood.

Dignity & Democracy in Public Education

Register here!

The New Jersey Regional Chapter of Human Rights Educators USA, in collaboration with DrewTEACH, is hosting a panel discussion event on Wednesday, September 25 at Drew University titled Dignity & Democracy in Public Education.

We aim to offer a timely conversation about the relationship between schooling and citizenship, at what we feel is a pivotal moment in the history of our democracy.

Where: The Ehinger Center at Drew University, Madison NJ

When: Wednesday, September 25, 6 – 8 PM

Who: A panel of local experts, scholars, and activists, including:

  • Dr. Patrick McGuinn (Professor of Political Science and Education, Drew University)
  • Sharon Krengel (Director of Policy, Strategic Partnerships and Communications, Education Law Center)
  • Elissa Malespina (School Librarian, New Jersey public schools)
  • Moderated by Dr. William Fernekes (Visiting Lecturer, Graduate School of Education, Rutgers University)

The event will be FREE to attend, and the panel discussion will be followed by a 30 minute Q & A session.

Three Years On: U.S. Evacuation from Afghanistan

Wednesday, September 25, 2024 – 1:00 pm

Virtual – Zoom

Three Years On: Successes and Challenges since the U.S. Evacuation from Afghanistan

Date: Wednesday, September 25th
Time: 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm EDT /  10:00 am to 11:00 am PDT

Join Human Rights First on Wednesday, September 25th at 1pm ET, for a discussion surrounding the 3-year anniversary of the U.S. evacuation from Afghanistan and the fall of Kabul. Significant humanitarian challenges continue to affect many in Afghanistan.  Our coalition partners will discuss both the successes and ongoing challenges of Afghan resettlement in the U.S. since 2021.

This discussion will be moderated by Ana Martin Gil, Research Manager for the Edward P. Djerejian Center for the Middle East at the Baker Institute for Public Policy

Panelists include:

  • Nadia Khalid, Supervising Senior Staff Attorney, Project: Afghan Legal Assistance at Human Rights First
  • Shala Gafary, Managing Attorney, Project: Afghan Legal Assistance at Human Rights First
  • Kelsey Norman, Fellow for the Middle East and Director, Women’s Rights, Human Rights and Refugees Program at the Baker Institute for Public Policy
  • Jennifer Patota, Senior Supervising Attorney at the International Refugee Assistance Program

Our team of experts and passionate advocates will share insights on our progress, challenges, and strategies moving forward. Learn how your previous support has made a difference and how you can continue to make a lasting impact.

This is your chance to connect with the driving force behind this critical mission. Secure your spot now and be a part of shaping a brighter future for Afghan allies.

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