Welcome to the US Human Rights Network's national conference - ADVANCING HUMAN RIGHTS 2013: Dignity. Justice. Action. USHRN’s biannual human rights conference is the primary national gathering for human rights and social justice activists, advocates, practitioners, and supporters dedicated to strengthening a human rights agenda and culture in the U.S. and demanding the United States government fulfill its human rights obligations in the U.S.   See the event site here

Egyptian Human Rights Attorney Ragia Omran Selected for 30th Annual RFK Award

(WASHINGTON, D.C. – July 2, 2013) – Ms. Ragia Omran, a leading Egyptian human rights lawyer and women’s rights activist, has been selected as the honoree for the 2013 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award, now in its 30th year. The award recognizes her extraordinary work, and initiates a partnership to support her efforts to advance the women’s rights, the rule of law, and democracy in Egypt through human rights legal advocacy.

“With dedication and courage, Ms. Omran is often the first to arrive on the scene at jails, police stations, court houses, and military and civilian prosecution offices. Hundreds of peaceful activists have her to thank for successfully securing their release and protecting their rights to freedom of speech and association,” said Kerry Kennedy, President of the RFK Center. “She is a beacon of hope for the woman of Egypt and a champion in the global human rights movement. We are proud to honor her with our 30th annual award.”

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Certificate of Advanced Studies in Human Rights Education at University of Teacher Education Central Switzerland (Luzern, January-December 2013)

Human rights are the fundament of a peaceful coexistence of a society. But only when women and men know about their human rights, they can claim them for themselves and - in solidarity - for others ("empowerment"). Human rights education is taking place in different contexts (formal, non-formal,...). To close the global gap in further training opportunities in human rights education, in the context of and linked with the new UN Declaration of Human Rights Education and Training adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 2011 and because of the high interest in the "Certificate of Advanced Studies CAS in Human Rights Education", the University of Teacher Education Central Switzerland (PHZ) is running again in 2013 an international advanced qualification, the "Certificate of Advanced Studies CAS in Human Rights Education" starting in January 2013. The CAS Human Rights Education aims to qualify the participants for a role as trainer and multiplier of human rights education for their specific context. 

The participants will achieve an internationally recognized Certificate of Advanced Studies PHZ in Human Rights Education. 

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The AFSC Los Angeles Peace Education Program offers Human Rights resources, training and professional development for K-12 educators.  Each year, our office facilitates a Human Rights Education workshop for Los Angeles United School District (LAUSD) teachers through the United Teachers of Los Angeles salary-point system.  

The workshop is designed to build teachers' fundamental knowledge and understanding of human rights.  Teachers in the two-day workshop explore the global, national and local dimensions of human rights issues.  The workshop also uses case studies from Los Angeles to understand how human rights abuses affect local communities.  Some of the human rights issues addressed in the workshop include:

• Environmental Sustainability
• Economic Justice
• Genocide
• The Media
• Child Soldiers and Youth in the Military
• Human Trafficking

In the workshop, teachers are provided with materials and assistance in developing their own lesson plans to strengthen content competence and to develop grade and subject-appropriate curriculum.  It is through the workshop that teachers become better equipped to encourage tolerance and peace building among their students and to help them appreciate the critical role human rights plays in the everyday lives of people here and elsewhere in the world.

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