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Join the HRE USA Steering Committee
Help shape the future of human rights education.
Nominate yourself or a colleague to join our Steering Committee.
Our rules call for the election every summer of new Steering Committee members to replace retiring members. This year there are 2 open seats to be filled, and we invite all members to make nominations for their replacements. You may nominate anyone who fits the criteria for membership and can fulfill the responsibilities of Steering Committee members, including nominating yourself!
Brief biographies of current Steering Committee members can be viewed here. A ballot will be sent to all HRE USA members in July.
Elected Steering Committee members will serve a three-year term beginning in August 2021.
DEADLINE: TUESDAY, JULY 15, 2021
>> Learn more
>> Nomination Form
For further inquiries, please contact Kristi Rudelius-Palmer
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• Steering Committee Nominations
• Membership Survey
• Flowers Fund Grants
• HRE Award Nominations
• HRE USA Joins Civics Initiative
• Pledge to Teach the Truth
• Human Rights & the Climate Crisis
• Books on the Asian-American Experience
• Rethinking Schools Spring Issue
• Children's Rights Manual
• Mental Health Toolkit for Schools
• HRER Journal Seeking Editors
• Institute for Global Educators
• HRW Film Festival
• Apartheid & BLM Lessons
• Climate Change Summer Institute
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We Want Your Feedback!
Please complete this quick survey so we can update our membership information and better serve you. It will only take a few minutes.
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Apply for a Flowers Fund Grant
Do you have an idea to advance human rights education in the United States? Need support? Applications are now being accepted for 2021 Flowers Fund Grants.
Grants of up to $1000 will be made for projects to individuals and organizations that are members. All applications should have direct relevance to human rights education in the United States and be completed during the 2021/2021 Academic year.
DEADLINE: AUGUST 1, 2021
>> Learn more and apply
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HRE AWARD - Call for Nominations
Do you know someone who has made a difference through Human Rights Education? HRE USA invites nominations for the 2021 Edward O’Brien Human Rights Education Awards.
Nominations may be for: 1) An individual who has made a significant contribution to human rights education in the United States; 2) An organization, institution, or program that has made an outstanding contribution to human rights education in the United States
One organization and one individual will be awarded. Winners will be announced on Human Rights Day, December 10, 2021.
DEADLINE: AUGUST 1, 2021
>> Learn more and nominate
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HRE USA Joins the Educating for Democracy Initiative
A national initiative is underway among Civics educators to regain lost ground in public schools in the United States. A major piece of legislation, the Civics Secures Democracy Act has been introduced in both house of Congress (HR 1814) to promote (and fund) inclusive programs of civics education that recognize and respect diverse relationships with the subject matter of U.S. History and Civics. HRE USA is getting involved.
The Educating for American Democracy (EAD) Initiative, funded through the US Department of Education and National Endowment for the Humanities, is building momentum across the country for a renewed attention to civic preparation of all students. HRE USA has joined the EAD initiative and its parent CivXNow, as a coalition member and EAD champion.
HRE USA was established in 2011 to advocate for the robust inclusion of Human Rights Education in all social studies education programs in the schools, especially those like Civics, that deal with the relationship of the people and the government and our diverse communities with each other. Without HRE, Civics education too often fails to prepare our youth for the diversity, inclusiveness, and respect of the dignity of the person that is essential for democracy to function. We are a pluralistic society in which differences and community both matter.
HRE USA believes that effective human rights education is essential to civic involvement in an inclusive democracy.
HRE USA will continue to expand our description of the HRE/Civics relationship and would love to hear your ideas on how to best center HRE within the family of Civics-related practices needed by a society that values social justice and works to repair its history of racial, gender, ableist injustice. To share your thoughts and ideas, please contact Rosemary Blanchard, HRE USA Advocacy & Policy Committee.
>> Learn more
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Pledge to Teach the Truth
Lawmakers in at least 15 states are attempting to pass legislation that would require teachers to lie to students about the role of racism, sexism, heterosexism, and oppression throughout U.S. history.
More than 1,500 teachers have signed a pledge: "We, the undersigned educators, refuse to lie to young people about U.S. history and current events — regardless of the law." Read more pledges and add your name today.
To raise public awareness about the danger of these state bills, teachers, educators, and allies are invited to take a public stand at historic sites on Saturday, June 12, 2021.
Hosted by the Zinn Education Project and Black Lives Matter at School.
>> Join the day of action
>> Sign the pledge to teach the truth
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Human Rights and the Climate Crisis
By the Human Rights Watch Student Task Force
As part of HRW Student Task Force's (STF) advocacy to transition high schools across Southern California to 100% renewable energy, commit to energy efficiency plans, and engage in climate justice education, the STF hosted over 150 students, teachers, administrators, and community members at the “Human Rights and the Climate Crisis” Virtual Town Hall on Earth Day 2021.
“The climate crisis is the defining issue of our generation and we are at a monumental moment,” said one STF representative. “We are protecting our human rights to life, liberty, and personal security, to survival and development, and our right to health, to clean water – and a future! We are demanding public officials take action to protect our human rights and fight climate change.”
Students representing 18 high schools shared their personal climate stories, illustrating how climate change is impacting their lives. Several had experienced fire-threat evacuations and pollution-induced asthma, which further motivates them to take action. STF leaders also described using HRW’s methodology “Investigate, Expose, Change” to frame their advocacy as they engage school administrators and public officials.
Featured speaker, Christos Chrysiliou, LAUSD’s Director of Architectural and Engineering Services for the Facilities Division, discussed LAUSD's steps to increase its energy and water efficiency, improve sustainability, and engage students in the decision-making process. “We cannot achieve all the things that we’re doing without your [students’] help… We need you in the process,” Mr. Chrysiliou said, "because that’s the only way to fight climate change.” Afterward, attendees participated in a spirited Q&A session with Mr. Chrysiliou. (Listen at 47:43 on the recording.)
Closing STF student speaker, Nathalia Wyss, quoted Greta Thunberg: “Act like your house is on fire, because it is - continue to take action against climate change and inform others, and please, keep fighting to turn our schools green.”
>> Learn more about the HRW Student Task Force
>> View the "Human Rights and the Climate Crisis" Virtual Town Hall
>> Download the Human Rights and Climate Crisis Toolkit
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Books on the Asian American Experience
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Check out these great book recommendations from YES! Magazine editor, Valerie Schloredt that, as she states, "bring the Asian American experience out of the margins." In memoir and nonfiction, these authors navigate big themes and resist stereotypes.
>> View Full Editorial Review
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Rethinking Schools Spring Issue
 The spring issue of Rethinking Schools has a cover story that features one union’s journey toward disability justice and has a special “Educators Speak Out” section uplifting the voices of special education teachers, students, and parents.
The issue’s editorial focuses on the centennial of the Tulsa Massacre, and argues for reparations.
Rethinking Schools editor Jesse Hagopian also has an obituary of the late Karen Lewis, and editor Linda Christensen has an important article about teaching the “unbound” essay.
The labor writer Sarah Jaffe writes about how some social justice teachers have reinvented the pandemic classroom and Jessica Lovaas and Adam Sanchez describe how they teach a people’s history of the March on Washington.
>> View resource
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Children's Rights Teaching Manual 
LEARN | RIGHT has developed a manual with tools, planning sheets, and activities for teachers to plan learning programs on children’s rights and create a learning environment that respects and promotes children’s rights in class and society.
The manual is generic allowing it to be applied to different national and cultural contexts, languages, and school systems as well as age groups.
We developed the manual to give a broad audience access to the approach and resources developed in the authors' two previous manuals on teaching children’s rights in Greenland and Belarus, respectively, and in The Human Rights Education Toolbox.
>> View resource
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Toolkit on Mental Health in Schools - Demystifying the Mind
"Demystifying the Mind," is a toolkit from Learning for Justice that addresses new ways schools are addressing trauma and promoting mental health. Even if your school isn’t yet teaching about mental health in the curriculum, you have the opportunity to foster nurturing relationships with your students. This toolkit offers ways to 1) help young people move toward healing after experiencing trauma and 2) build resilience in your students, your colleagues, and yourself.
>> View resource
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Human Rights Education Review - Seeking Editors
HRER is looking to strengthen and expand its Editorial Team and move from 2 to 3 editions per year in 2021. HRER invites colleagues working in higher education, with appropriate experience in research and publications. Editors will be involved in the processes of peer review and have opportunities to help shape HRER’s future development. This is a great opportunity to extend your professional networks and to work internationally. Applications are welcomed from scholars at various career stages, including those ready and willing to take on a leadership role in the journal’s ongoing development.
Application Deadline: May 31, 2021
>> Learn more and apply
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Summer Institute for Global Educators
Virtual workshop dates: June 21, 23, 25, 2021, 10AM – 2PM EST
This free online Summer Institute for Global Educators, sponsored by the Longview Foundation and the National Resource Center Program of the U.S. Department of Education, will allow in-service and pre-service secondary educators in all subject areas to develop courses and lesson plans with enhanced global and regional studies content. Educators from Title I schools are especially encouraged to apply.
Online synchronous and asynchronous sessions will include the use of film and media, simulations, games, and technology to enhance global learning and teaching. Pitt College in High School (CHS) teachers will have the opportunity to meet with CHS staff on foregrounding global issues while meeting University and district requirements. Participating Pennsylvania teachers can apply for Act 48 credits.
To Apply: Interested participants should complete the application and include a resume or CV and a brief (200-word maximum) statement about their desired outcomes from participation. For questions, please contact Susan Dawkins.
Application Deadline: June 2, 2021
>> Learn more and apply
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Human Rights Watch Film Festival
EVENT DETAILS:
When: May 19 - 27, 2021
Time: Various/on-demand
Where: Online
Cost: $9/Ticket $70/Festival Pass
The Human Rights Watch Film Festival, in its second digital edition, will be available to audiences across the U.S. from May 19 through 27, 2021, on its streaming site.
As always, the films will span a range of current and pressing human rights issues from around the world, and Q&As will feature filmmakers, film subjects and human rights leaders with a focus on prioritizing space for identities, viewpoints, forms of expertise and experiences either silenced or marginalized in the film industry, news and media.
Students can get a discount on tickets using the code CHANGEHERE21 and HRW has set aside a set number of free tickets for anyone who needs them by emailing filmticket@hrw.org.
>> Learn more
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When South African Apartheid Was Overthrown: Lessons for BLM
EVENT DETAILS:
When: Monday, June 7, 2021
Time: 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm ET
Where: Live Stream
Cost: FREE
Description:
Gerald Lenoir, a veteran organizer of the anti-apartheid movement in the United States and an organizer for racial justice today, will share lessons from the movement that helped bring down apartheid to help us better understand how to teach — and participate in — the ongoing Black Freedom Struggle.
This webinar is part of the series entitled, "Teach the Black Freedom Struggle" is hosted by the Zinn Education project and features leading historians from across the country. The classes are held at least once a month on Mondays at 4:00 pm PT / 7:00 pm ET for 75 minutes. In each session, the historian is interviewed by a teacher and breakout rooms allow participants (in small groups) to meet each other, discuss the content, and share teaching ideas.
>> Learn more and register
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Summer Institute - Climate Change Education
EVENT DETAILS:
When: July 28-30
Where: Virtual
Cost: $250
Scholarships available
Description:
Join Climate Generation for a virtual conference on climate change education with educators from across the country! Gain the skills, tools, and resources to teach climate change in all subject areas. This three-day Institute is structured to allow time for learning and national networking on the first and last days. Educators will attend a regional cohort workshop facilitated by a regional cohort leader on the second day to focus on place-based climate change education and the need for ongoing support throughout the year. This small group of 20-50 educators will explore local impacts, actionable solutions, connections to local experts, and planning and networking. All aspects of the Institute will be held virtually.
>> Learn more and register
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 Human Rights Educators USA is a national network that strives to promote human dignity, justice, and peace by cultivating an expansive, vibrant base of support for Human Rights Education in the United States. >> Learn more |
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