Education and Culture

This week MHREC is holding its Culture Connect event! Between the 23rd and 30th June 2023 friends, family and public are being invited to support MHREC by participating in a cultural activity to remind everyone just how important the right to to take part or participate in cultural life truly is. Please do sign up here.

With this in mind, over the next few days we will be sharing information on Human Rights and culture to showcase their importance!

Education serves as a powerful tool to foster understanding and awareness, as well as appreciation for human rights values and principles.

Here at MHREC we are strong advocates of utilizing education as a catalyst for change. It can not be emphasized enough as to how essential education is for empowerment and societal transformation. But education is not limited to textbooks and schools, it goes beyond these traditional formats.

Integrating culture into human rights education enables learners to relate to and connect with human rights issues. When we embrace cultural diversity and inclusivity, education can foster and encourage empathy and respect as well collective appreciation. Through the exploration of arts and cultural heritage, we can develop a broader perspective on human rights and appreciate the interconnectedness of the society we live in.

When we remember that artistic expression is not limited by language barriers we can understand as to how instrumental it is in shedding light on human rights and taking action. Integrating the arts into human rights education fosters creativity. It creates a dynamic environment that encourages learners to take action, using their skills and passions to promote equality, justice and human rights.

When provided with a safe space for discussions, critical thinking and creativity, learners are motivated and encouraged to challenge stereotypes, biases, and prejudices.

Here are some examples of bringing arts and culture into the classroom:

1. Invite local artists, musicians, dancers, or performers from diverse backgrounds to share their experiences and talents with students.
2. Create a classroom display of crafts, photographs, or artworks. Students would present information about these items linking them to human rights.
3. Tasks students to write poems or stories, compose a song, prepare a theatre piece, create artwork, or preparing dramatic performances that showcase cultural diversity, social justice, and human rights themes.

Here at MHREC we cannot wait to receive your pictures. You can still sign up here. Don’t delay.

Check in over the next few days for more information on human rights, and culture! In the meantime check out the following related Culture Connect posts: