Overview:
Our global community is facing numerous challenges both within and between nations. With increasing challenges such as the rise of authoritarianism, increased censorship, political violence, attacks against fundamental identity and more, democracy seems to be more fragile than ever. The work to support and defend democracy and civic life can be difficult, but is worth the fight to do so. We know that when democracy thrives, there are greater chances for universal human rights to thrive as well. We also know the work to protect democracy and promote human rights begins in small spaces, close to home, especially in our classrooms with teachers, students, and school staff.
HRE USA leaders and partners have come together to protect democracy and promote human rights. To further engage students and teachers in protecting democracy and fostering both civics and human rights education, we have compiled a rich collection of resources, programs, and projects. This coalition of HRE communities encourage any and all educators to use these resources in their teaching practice.
To submit your own resources to this or another collection, please feel encouraged to use this linked SUBMISSION FORM
Previously Created Educator Collections:
Your Vote, Your Voice Educator Collection
Racial Justice Resources Educator Collection
Lessons & Curricula:
Presentation: HRE USA at Civic Learning Week 2023
Curricula: Human Rights Educators USA
HRE USA Main Site
HRE USA Library
Curriculum Integration Guide
HRE USA’s Newsletter
Curricula: University of Minnesota Human Rights Library – http://hrlibrary.umn.edu/
Curricula: This Is My Home: A Minnesota Human Rights Education Experience
NJ Center for Civic Education, Middle School Civics:
https://civiced.rutgers.edu/civics/middle-school-civics
Curricula: Bernards Township Public Schools Curriculum:
https://bernardsboe-public.rubiconatlas.org/home (Browse for “Social Studies 7 Civics and Global Citizenship”)
Curricula: Wayne Township Public Schools, Human Rights Elective Course
Lessons: Facing History & Ourselves
■ Justice & Human Rights
■ Democracy & Civic Engagement
Amnesty International’s Human Rights Academy
Curricula: UnMasking the Pandemic (COVID curriculum)
Curricula: The World As It Could Be Human Rights Education Program, Curriculum and Resource Guide for Teachers & Organization Leaders
Curricula: Civic Online Reasoning, Stanford History Education Group
Project: 1st Amendment Mini ProjectLesson: Power to The Polls Service Learning Project
Lesson: Local Government Analysis
Lesson: Service Learning for Human Rights EducationLesson: Human Rights and the Climate Crisis
Curricula: Math and Social JusticeCurricula: Change for Children-Learn & Teach: Water
Curricula: CHOICES Program-Competing Visions for Human Rights
Podcasts:
Podcast: Human Rights Education Now!
Podcast: Defending Democracy: Democracy Docket
Podcast: Why Is This Happening with Chris Hayes
Podcast: Democracy Works (NPR)
Podcast: Democracy Decoded
Podcast: Civics 101 (NPR)
Podcast: Newsy Pooloozi
Podcast: A Kids Book About: The Podcast
Podcast: ULTRA
Podcast: Pod Save America
Organizations, Advocacy and Initiatives:
Organization: Generation Human Rights
Organization: Headcount
Organization: Human Rights Watch Student Task Force
Organization: Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights
Policy and Practice Resources:
Council of Europe, Charter on EDC/HRE Information Article: What is Council of Europe Charter on Education for Democratic Citizenship and Human Rights Education and how Amnesty International helps to implement it
Article: Council of Europe Charter on Education for Democratic Citizenship and Human Rights Education
Practice Framework: Human Rights Education Position Statement (National Council for the Social Studies)
Article: International Journal of Social Studies. Vol 4 #2 (2014), an NCSS Affiliate publication. Three articles on Human Rights Education (National Council for the Social Studies)
Practice Framework: National Standards for the Preparation of Social Studies Teachers (2016)
Practice Framework: The Human Rights Education Handbook
Book Chapters & Journal Articles
Book: Alter, G. T. & Fernekes, W. R. (2023). The Human Rights Imperative in Teacher Education: Developing Compassion, Understanding, and Advocacy. Rowman & Littlefield.
Book: Bajaj, M., ed. (2017). Human Rights Education: Theory, Research, Praxis. University of Pennsylvania Press.
Book: Hertel, S. & Libel, K. (2011). Human Rights in the United States: Beyond Exceptionalism. University of Cambridge Press.
Book: Howe, R. B. & Covell, K. (2005). Empowering Children: Children’s Rights as a Pathway to Citizenship. University of Toronto Press.
Journal Article: “One Shining Moment: The American Role in the Expansion of Humanitarian Law After World War II.” Blanchard, Rosemary. (2010). National Social Science Journal. Volume 35. Pages 23-30. https://www.academia.edu/8002179/One_Shining_Moment
Journal Article: Preparing Educators, Advocates and Allies: Teacher Education in the HRE Movement
Book: Soohoo, C., Albisa, C., & Davis, M. F. (2009). Bringing Human Rights Home: A History of Human Rights in the United States, Abridged Edition. University of Pennsylvania Press.
Chapter: The Human Rights Portal to Teaching Mindfulness and Civic Engagement by Rosemary Ann Blanchard & Sandy Sohcot — chapter in Mindful Social Studies: Frameworks for Social Emotional Learning and Critically Engaged Citizens (2022) Textbook purchase | Read the chapter online (free)
Additional Resources:
CivXNow website: https://civxnow.org
Human Rights Education Position Statement (National Council for the Social Studies)
Human Rights Educators USA and Educating for American Democracy (EAD) have developed a joint brief on the supportive relationship between human rights education and civics for a democratic society. This brief guide is available from HRE USA: https://hreusaorg.files.wordpress.com/2021/08/hre-brief-on-ead.pdf
hreusa.org 