Year after year, Amnesty International investigates and challenges human rights violations around the world. Our work uses different approaches to address chronic and immediate violations, including research, advocacy, campaigning, and education. Each year, through our extensive human rights education (HRE) programming, Amnesty International reaches millions of children, young people and adults in diverse communities to build knowledge and understanding to strengthen rights-respecting societies. This blog shares an overview of the scope and reach of Amnesty’s HRE in 2023, achieved in collaboration with local communities, teachers, schools and students, and other national and international partners. (Please note we are currently collating data from our HRE work in 2024 to be published later this year). In 2023, Amnesty International’s HRE reached almost 6 million people. Our HRE interventions ranged from strengthening human rights knowledge through social media to more in-depth programming through in-person community workshops, human rights-friendly schools and after-school clubs, trainings, and e-learning.
Human Rights Education (HRE) is not just about learning laws and policies, it is about equipping individuals with the tools to challenge injustice, advocate for equality, and build resilient communities. Despite numerous challenges in 2023, from political repression to environmental crises, Amnesty International’s HRE initiatives have thrived and have proven to be a catalyst to drive meaningful transformation in different societies. You can read a detailed account of the HRE work in 2023 in our annual report: Amnesty International: State of Human Rights Education 2023. Below are some of the key actions and outcomes of our collaborative HRE work that took place in 2023.
In 2023, governments across the world intensified crackdowns on freedom of expression, leading to widespread restrictions on peaceful protests and digital censorship. Through HRE’s contribution in the Protect the Protestcampaign, Amnesty International countered these threats through different strategic initiatives. For example, Amnesty International Ghana trained grassroots activists to navigate legal frameworks to defend their right to protest. Similarly, Amnesty International Germany, in collaboration with civil rights advocates from Bangladesh, produced digital learning tools that enhanced online activism. Meanwhile, in Brazil and Mexico, Amnesty HRE programs educated military authorities on the consequences of deploying armed forces against peaceful demonstrators. These interventions not only safeguarded individuals’ rights but also created ripple effects, strengthening collective action against repression.
While discrimination remains a persistent barrier to equality, HRE has made significant strides in dismantling it. Amnesty International Puerto Rico supported non-binary activists through different learning sessions and human Rights materials, leading them to file a federal case advocating for inclusive gender recognition. In Togo, journalists underwent intensive training to counter misinformation targeting the Fulani community, resulting in a significant shift in media narratives and public perception.
In West Africa, Amnesty International’s HRE efforts also played a critical role in the fight against gender-based violence. In Senegal, targeted education programs in schools led to zero recorded cases of early pregnancies in the participating institutions in 2023, while in Burkina Faso, HRE-led advocacy contributed to the raising of the legal marriage age from 15 years to 18 years. These cases exemplify how education can effectively contribute to dismantling prejudice and lead to tangible policy changes.
Popular opinion perceives young people to be the leaders of tomorrow, while in HRE, they are the changemakers of today. In Mongolia, Amnesty International’s advocacy resulted in a commitment by the government to establish a Regional Human Rights Education and Training Centre, ensuring that future generations will have the resources to defend their rights. In Ecuador, young Amazonian girls, supported by Amnesty’s HRE initiatives, became leading voices against gas flaring, an environmentally harmful practice threatening their communities. Through interactive workshops, online courses, and direct action, Amnesty International engaged over 3 million young people globally, equipping them with the tools to challenge injustice and drive societal transformation.
The impact of HRE in 2023 extended beyond individuals—it influenced policies and institutions. Amnesty International successfully integrated human rights education into national curricula in Kyrgyzstan and Moldova. In Zimbabwe, grassroots education campaigns prepared communities for constitutional debates on abolishing the death penalty, shifting public opinion in favour of reform. The power of education was also evident in Moldova, where gender-stereotype-challenging career workshops reached over 358,000 students, and in Venezuela, where youth-led projects created sustainable social change initiatives. These examples highlight the strategic role of HRE in transforming systems, not just individuals.
Despite significant political, social, and environmental challenges, HRE in 2023 proved its resilience and effectiveness. From equipping activists to defend their freedoms to ensuring the legal protection of marginalized communities, education proved a powerful catalyst for change. As societies continue to grapple with injustice, Amnesty International’s commitment to expanding and enhancing HRE remains steadfast. Investing in human rights education is not just an academic endeavor—it is a strategic necessity for a future where dignity, equality, and justice prevail for all.
Tags: BUSINESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS, CLIMATE CHANGE, ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS, EDUCATION, HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS AND ACTIVISTS.
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