This special edition acknowledges the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with a new resource on the linkages between Human Rights Education and Service-Oriented Culture.
We are also pleased to share our latest episode of Human Rights Education Now! with Dr. Mary Elizabeth Curran.
See past issues of the newsletter here.
HRE USA is a project of the Center for Transformative Action.
For more sponsorship and ticketing information,
contact Jill Davidson at jdavidson@kennedyhumanrights.org
HRE USA is a project of the Center for Transformative Action.
HRE USA members are encouraged to submit public comments on the incorporation of human rights principles into North Dakota’s K-12 social studies standards by June 30, 2026.
Over the past two months, a committee of North Dakota educators has developed a first draft as a starting point in the standards revision process. ND Social Studies Content Standards DRAFT I
The Committee encourages all interested stakeholders–including educators, parents, community members, and industry representatives–to review the draft and share feedback through the survey link below. Your input will play an important role in shaping the next iteration of these standards.
>> Submit your comments: ND Social Studies Content Standards Public Comment Survey
HRE USA is a project of the Center for Transformative Action.
Know a group or individual—youth or adult—who is making a real difference in human rights?
Nominate them for one of the annual awards of Human Rights Educators USA and the University and College Consortium for Human Rights Education!
| About Awards >> O’Brien >> Nomination form >> Youth >> Nomination form (En) >> Nomination form (Es) >> UCCHRE Award >> Nomination form |
HRE USA is a project of the Center for Transformative Action.
Visit this page to get up to date on the latest HRE USA news.
See past issues of the newsletter here.
HRE USA is a project of the Center for Transformative Action.
The Kemper Human Rights Education Foundation (khref.org) is offering prizes of $5000, $2500, and $1250 to high school students judged to have written the best answers to the question below. There are two contests and two sets of prizes: one for high school students who are citizens or residents of the U.S. and one for high school students who are citizens and residents of other countries.
QUESTION
When if ever do human rights violations by a country against its own citizens justify armed intervention by other countries?
CRITERIA
Essays will be judged according to how clearly and well they answer the question and the extent to which they are supported by research. They are due on or before December 10, 2026 (Human Rights Day) and should: 1. Be written in English. 2. Not including the footnotes and bibliography be 2500 words or less. 3. Be submitted as a Microsoft Word attachment to: kemperhumanrights@gmail.com or by regular mail to: KHREF, 184 Fillow Street, Norwalk, CT 06850, USA. 4. Via footnotes and a bibliography indicate the names, titles, year of publication, and page numbers for all references. 5. Include a cover page with: i. the title, ii. author’s name and grade level, iii. name and address of the author’s high school, iv. the following statement signed by a teacher at the author’s high school: “I [teacher’s name], a teacher of [subject] at [name of the essay author’s school] am aware of [author’s name] participation in the KHREF essay contest and to the best of my knowledge the essay [s/he] submitted represents [her/his] independent work, v. the following statements signed by the author: a. I did not use generative AI tools to brainstorm, outline, draft, rewrite, summarize sources, generate thesis statements, improve paragraphs, create citations, or in any other way to write my essay and I understand it will likely be checked to confirm that is the case. b. Prior to receiving a prize I agree to participate in a Zoom interview with members of KHREF’s board. c. “I give the Kemper Human Rights Education Foundation permission to publish this essay.”
AWARDS
Winners will be announced, and awards presented by the end of January 2027.
HRE USA is a project of the Center for Transformative Action.
The Robert & Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Center (KHRC) is launching its inaugural Student Ambassador Program—and we’re looking for the next generation of human rights activists.
The Student Ambassador Program is looking for student content creators who are ready to use their social media platform to amplify human rights in the United States and abroad. As a KHRC Student Ambassador, you’ll create original content on your social media platform that brings human rights issues to life for your audience, all while being supported by the KHRC Communications team. The program will run from July 6, 2026 – August 17, 2026 and is fully remote.
Deadline to apply is 5pm ET, Friday, June 19th, 2026.
Learn more and apply to the role →
HRE USA is a project of the Center for Transformative Action.
UNESCO is seeking good practices that are showing results in advancing the Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) — ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all.
This open call aims to identify and showcase transformative actions and success stories that can inspire cross-country learning and cooperation and accelerate progress toward SDG 4.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted at the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit in 2015, is a comprehensive “plan of action for people, planet and prosperity” aimed at ending poverty, protecting the planet, tackling inequalities and fostering global peace. The ambitious 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets adopted as part of this universal agenda are to stimulate action in areas of critical importance.
SDG 4 aims to transform lives through quality education, recognizing the critical role of education as the key catalyst for progress and enabler for achieving all SDGs. By equipping all people with the values, knowledge, skills and competencies needed to contribute to today’s rapidly changing world, education helps eradicate poverty; reduce inequalities; improve health and wellbeing; enhance productivity and decent employment; protect and promote cultural diversity; build peace and security; drive the green and digital transition and sustain the environment for current and future generations.
With a few years remaining 2030, the world is facing significant challenges to achieve SDG 4. Upscaled, collective and transformative actions are needed to accelerate progress by reaching the most vulnerable and marginalized and taking qualitative leaps in education and lifelong learning.
Governments and organizations have increasingly recognized the value of collecting and sharing good practices as a means of identifying and scaling effective policies and programmes, encouraging peer learning and driving social and economic progress. A ‘good practice’ is commonly defined as a technique or method that, through experience and research, has proven to reliably lead to a desired result.
In the context of education policy, programming and services, a practical definition of good practice is knowledge about what works in specific situations and contexts, without using excessive resources to achieve the desired results, and which can be used to develop and implement solutions adapted to similar education challenges in other situations and contexts.
>> Learn more
HRE USA is a project of the Center for Transformative Action.
For the first time in over 40 years, the International Human Rights Training Program (IHRTP) will be held outside Canada, in Bangkok, Thailand, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of Equitas’ flagship international training program.
This edition reflects Equitas’ commitment to expanding access to human rights education and strengthening engagement with partners and movements across the Global South.
Program at a Glance
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
When: Fall 2026
APPLICATION DEADLINE : Monday, June 8, 2026
Space is limited – early applications are encouraged.
>> Learn more
HRE USA is a project of the Center for Transformative Action.
The Toolkit—created by youth in partnership with UNICEF USA and Kids Impact Initiative—gives young people a practical way to analyze policies through a child rights lens and share recommendations with decision-makers. Piloted and tested with UNICEF clubs across the country, it’s designed to be used independently by youth leadership groups on local, state, and federal advocacy efforts. If you work with youth leaders, youth councils, or after school programs, we invite you to share this new resource and encourage youth feedback so it can continue to grow and improve.
Learn more about child impact statements here.
Download the toolkit here.
HRE USA is a project of the Center for Transformative Action.
HRE USA 