Blog 4

I chose an article this week which highlights a very important aspect of human rights—if not the basis for it—human rights education. A short documentary film, which is supported by the United Nations, titled “A Path to Dignity – The Power of Human Rights Education”, is sparking quite a fire. It demonstrates the basis of human rights education and how applying, as well as teaching, this basis can have a huge impact on the development of humans. It also goes into how this system and ideals can help affect victims of abuse. It was released this Wednesday of this week, and the U.N. has already had stories coming in about how the film is helping change the education of people, and the realization of human rights.

Many stories have come in from undeveloped countries as well as many countries which are very fast evolving. Formerly “untouchable” children in India, Southern Australian police, and abused Turkish women are just a few of the groups of people who have identified with the film, and say that it is making a positive change on their life. Many children in undeveloped countries are saying that they are being treated better by their superiors, (mainly teachers) and are not being abused. The Southern Australian police force claims that their human rights training and watching this film have opened their eyes on how they treat people. Overall, the film has had a great impact, not only on these individual groups, but on the world throughout.

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay quotes that the start of the film is “Full realization of human rights requires all human beings to be aware of their and other people’s rights and of the means to ensure their protection.” Many other U.N. members have responded to the film in a positive way and have embraced the idea of more human rights education. They believe that if one single person can start a change – or a single film – that this can be a new pioneer in the global society. Kimiaki Kawai, a programme director for Peace Affair also quoted on the film, and the single person change idea by saying, “If the single person stands strongly, determined, then something can happen with an impact to the society. So, in that sense education is something like empowerment – to giving knowledge, giving understanding, to sharing wisdom. So that somebody can stand firm to contribute to society,”

Overall, the comments from around the world, and about the film, are extremely positive and are helping with the advancement of human rights. By educating individuals on the treatment and development can help lead our future to a more tolerant and accepting future.