Human Rights in Action

Course Description

Summary

In 1948, Elanor Roosevelt, instrumental for the approval of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, said “In a true sense, human rights are a fundamental object of law and government in a just society. Human rights exist to the degree that they are respected by people in relations with each other and by governments in relations with their citizens.”

We have come a long way since then, but those words are still true. Human rights are not aspirational. They are universal legal guarantees that protect individuals and groups against actions that interfere with fundamental freedoms and human dignity. Under international human rights law, States have the responsibility to respect, protect and fulfill human rights for all. If these obligations are not met, international legal action can be taken. 

Based on the international legal standards adopted by the international community through the time, this course aims to provide the students with the basic concepts of international human rights law, its sources, and the general protection institutions that exist to protect these guarantees. We will explore concrete rights, like the right to protest, women rights and rights of LGBTIQ+. We will learn how different people and organizations around the world are working to make those rights a reality and how can you do the same. You will learn how technology is been used to document human rights violations and how art can be instrumental in the human rights struggle.

The course is designed to move beyond theory and bring human rights to life. We’ll start by exploring what human rights are and how they are protected at the international level. Then, you’ll learn how to put those rights into action by developing your own campaign plan—selecting an issue that matters to you, setting clear objectives, identifying your target audience, and defining concrete, measurable actions. By the end of the course, you’ll have the tools and confidence to drive real change in your community.

This course will be implemented in person with guest speakers that will join online.