Education in Terms of Human Rights

“How shall I claim a right when I do not know that I have this right?” On 3rd July 2008 a green paper was adopted by the Commission which “opens the debate on how education policies may better address the challenges posed by immigration and internal EU mobility flows. An important aspect of education is that of Human Rights. Art. 26 of the UDHR recognizes the importance of education in strengthening respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. The author found out while teaching that Human Rights have so far not been an element of the curriculum and realised that German and esp. migrant students had less or even no knowledge about their basic rights and freedoms. The author therefore tried in her class not only to speak about HR but also to demonstrate how it feels having these rights and freedoms. Therefore some exercises were made with the students which were based on the anti-bias-approach. This is a method which is based at self-experience and which touches not only the rational/cognitive but also the emotional understanding. The principle of non-discrimination is of particular importance in this regard but also a central principle of Human Rights. After the end of the course the students reported that they had now a better understanding of their human rights. They developed more respect and tolerance towards others as they realised that everyone wants to be treated with dignity and equality. Human Rights education should be a basic part of the educational systems not only in the school but also in the university curricula. Teaching the basic principle of non-discrimination and the fundamental rights and freedoms shows that every human being has these rights and freedoms. This may lead to a better understanding of the dignity and respect of every human being and may also contribute to a successful integration of migrants in their host countries.