Ireland 'not fulfilling commitments on human rights education'

Ireland has no strategy in place to deal with its obligations under the World Programme for Human Rights Education, a cross-border education conference heard today.

A meeting in Dublin Castle today heard calls for greater leadership from the Government and the Northern Executive in supporting human rights education in schools.

Pointing to research showing that human rights education had tangible benefits for the behaviour and academic achievement of pupils, speakers emphasised the need to adequately resource efforts to mainstream human rights through the education system.

"Despite the unquestioned practical benefits for children who have participated in human rights education, there has been a failure of leadership by the Irish government in mainstreaming it throughout the education system," said Noeleen Hartigan, programmes director of Amnesty International.

"There is no strategy to deliver on our obligations under the World Programme for Human Rights Education, nor the commitments in the National Children’s Strategy to make children aware of their rights. The resources and other supports that teachers and principals need to deliver these programmes must be put in place."