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Human Rights Education Newsletter, March 2008

14 March 2008, 10:25AM

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Welcome to Amnesty International's Human Rights Education newsletter for March 2008.

In this edition:

China, the Olympics & Human Rights

As we approach the Beijing Olympic Games in August this year, Amnesty International is calling on China to live up to its promise of improving human rights.

When bidding to host the Games, China made promises around media access and human rights. Amnesty International believes that the Olympic Games can be something for China to be proud of however, not if the legacy of the Games is tarnished with human rights violations.

We are focusing on human rights change in four key areas · online censorship · the death penalty · unfair trials and torture · persecution of human rights defenders.

A teacher resource on human rights in China from Amnesty International will be available by April - we will email you about the resource via this newsletter. We will also be offering the opportunity for teachers and students to "Ask an Amnesty International campaigner" - to send in questions to our China campaign coordinator, Sophie Peer, who will answer them online. In the meantime, you can find the following material on Amnesty International Australia's website.

The following materials on internet censorship are likely to be of interest to students:

Human Rights Education survey - thanks & survey results

Thanks to the many teachers who have taken the time to fill out the Human Rights Education survey. Over 430 teachers have completed the survey, and we really appreciate your comments.

View a sample of results from the Human Rights Education survey focusing on:

  • Creating opportunities for students to take action
  • Taking action for human rights within the curriculum - comments from teachers
  • Teaching for human rights: what works?

The next edition of the newsletter will feature a more detailed overview of results from the survey.

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"Human Rights today" curriculum resource

"Human Rights today" is Amnesty International Australia's new curriculum resource. Focussing on themes such as child labour, the rights of Indigenous people in Australia, the rights of women and girls, human rights and conflict and taking action for human rights, "Human Rights today" is aimed at SOSE/HSIE classes at years 9 and 10.

Study guide: The Kite Runner

This study guide (pdf, 5.2Mb) was developed by Amnesty International USA's Human Rights Education program.

Set in Afghanistan, The Kite Runner examines the challenges facing adolescents as they grow up through the story of two boys, Amir and Hassan. It explores their changing values and moral systems in the face of ethnic conflict, war and social stigmas, examining both internal conflicts within individuals and countries as well as the external conflicts that affect them.

With themes including fathers and sons, best friends, love, family, loyalty, betrayal, reconciliation, redemption, war, fundamentalism and discrimination, the film creates a space to discuss a vast variety of human rights issues.

Teaching for human rights: online guide

Amnesty International Australia's online guide on teaching for human rights is available on the "Human Rights today" website. Topics include:

  • Why teach about human rights?
  • Some ways to raise the profile of human rights
  • Human rights school checklist
  • What strategies can we use for teaching human rights in the classroom?
  • Dealing with differing views
  • Providing a safe environment
  • Teaching about Indigenous issues
  • Links to other national priorities
  • Rights and responsibilities

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Taking action for human rights: ideas & links

At the "Taking Action" section of the Human Rights today website you can view

  • Action resources and links
  • Online action you can take
  • Taking Action - resources for student groups
  • Action Centre, Amnesty International Australia

Primary and secondary curriculum resources from Amnesty International Ireland

These are some great resources developed by Amnesty International Ireland's Human Rights Educationn program.

efestival of ideas, 8-12 April 2008: update to online newsletter

The efestival of ideas is five days of online discussion around democracy, media, arts and social change, live and unmediated with special guests from around the world.

A chance to talk with leading thinkers on the Internet, social change and democracy.

This year's forum discussion topics are:

  • e-Participation: Fad or future?
  • 2018: New frontiers in digital arts
  • Reworking Feminism: What does gender equality mean in the 21st century?
  • The Creative Entrepreneur's Toolkit: A how-to guide for young artists
  • Reaching Off the Screen: Film, audiences and social change
  • Are You Being Heard? Youth voices in local government

In the next edition of this newsletter...

The next edition will feature:

  • Curriculum resources on China and human rights
  • "Ask an Amnesty International campaigner" - opportunity for teachers and students to send in questions to our China campaign coordinator, Sophie Peer, who will answer them online.
  • Survey results from the Human Rights Education survey - further details

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Contacting us

  • General enquiries about Amnesty International: supporterrelations@amnesty.org.au
  • Human Rights Education: hre@amnesty.org.au

What_you_can_do.pdf China_Advice_to_teachers.pdf Human_rights_in_China_today.pdf Olympic_Games_sport_ideals_and_society.pdf China_The_Olympics_and_Human_Rights.pdf