Dear colleague,
Welcome to Amnesty International's Human Rights Education newsletter for March 2008.
In this edition:
- China, the Olympics & Human Rights
- Human Rights Education survey - thanks & survey results
- Study guide: The Kite Runner
- Teaching for human rights: online teacher guide
- Taking action for human rights: ideas & links
- Primary and secondary curriculum resources from Amnesty International Ireland
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. In the meantime, you can find the following material online: We will also offer 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.
The following materials on internet censorship are likely to be of interest to students:
- overview of the campaign issues
- the campaign newsletter, "China campaign news"
- China blog, where you can add your comments
- case studies
- "Cybercops on patrol" - what appears on your screen when you use the internet in China
- The case of Shi Tao - journalist imprisoned for sending an email using Yahoo.
- Flyer on Shi Tao (pdf, 318 K)
- Background on Chinese monitoring of internet
- Internet Repression Fact Sheet - Amnesty International USA (pdf, 27K)
- Internet action on online censorship in China: take the pledge and stay up to date - we need 100,000 sign ups!
- Use Facebook or your blog to speak out against internet censorship in China - see link at the "Taking Action" section of the Human Rights today webpage.
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.
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
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.
- Voice Our Concern - resources for students in "transition year", aged 15/16.
- Lift Off - resources for primary level
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.
- Human Rights Education Survey results - further details
Contacting us
- General queries about Amnesty International: supporterrelations@amnesty.org.au
- Human Rights Education: hre@amnesty.org.au
Best wishes,
Don McArthur
Human Rights Education Coordinator
Amnesty International Australia
More about Amnesty International
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