Human Rights Class in a Box Elementary Schools

Class in a Box

International Solidarity for Human Rights (ISHR) is dedicated to fostering a culture of education, promotion, and support for the principles and values enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Our mission is to empower students by deepening their knowledge, fostering appreciation, and nurturing a strong commitment to human rights education and learning. Through our advocacy efforts, we aim to cultivate a welcoming environment that encourages respect, empathy, and celebrates each human being. The highly trained facilitators of our organization utilize a positive, multidisciplinary approach to educate about the UDHR, harnessing the transformative power of the arts as a valuable tool for learning and engagement.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is an international document that states the basic rights and fundamental freedoms that all human beings are entitled with. The UDHR was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on December 10th, 1948.

MAP OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS CLASS IN A BOX PRESENTATIONS IN MIAMI DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

HUMAN RIGHTS CLASS IN A BOX PROGRAM (HRCB)

Human Rights Class in a Box (HRCB) for Elementary Schools is a co-curricular program developed by International Solidarity for Human Rights (ISHR) that focuses on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) values. The program is designed for elementary and middle school students K-12 and provides engaging and interactive materials on human rights.

Human Rights are Values, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights’ knowledge and practice, is a road map for the world to live in peace and respecting the rights of all people.

The Human Rights Co-Curricular Program (HRCB), by International Solidarity for Human Rights, focuses on fostering critical thinking and meaningful discussions to help students grasp the relevance of human rights values in their own lives and in the broader world. By exploring the 30 human rights articulated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), students develop an understanding of the significance of individual and collective responsibility in promoting and safeguarding these rights. By providing students with a deeper comprehension of human rights matters and empowering them to become advocates within their communities, this program actively contributes to the creation of a fair world.

During the engaging Human Rights Class in a Box sessions, students enhance their reading and writing skills, employ their creativity, collaborate in teams, and learn about the values, rights, and responsibilities enshrined in the UDHR. The program incorporates a variety of resources, including videos and activities, all centered around the UDHR. These materials are thoughtfully designed to encourage critical thinking and foster discussions, enabling students to recognize the importance of human rights in their own lives and the global context.

Human Rights Class in a Box has been successfully implemented in public and private elementary and middle schools, as well as afterschool institutions, in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, Florida, USA. It has also made a positive impact in elementary schools abroad, including Venezuela, Mexico, Spain, Andorra, and Panama.

Throughout the program, students are encouraged to embrace Article 1 of the UDHR, which states, “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.”

Subject: Human Rights Education-Learning

Context: An introduction to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)

Objective(s): Participants will examine the UDHR and become familiar with the 30 rights it proclaims; the activity promotes and encourages participation, education and learning of the articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.


HUMAN RIGHTS CLASS IN A BOX IMPACT REPORT MDCPS 2022-2023

The ISHR- Illustrated Pocket Guide to Human Rights (version of the UDHR)

Convention on the Rights of the Child

 

Saint Anthony Catholic School (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)

Austin Hepburn Multipurpose Center (Hallandale-Broward, Florida)

Colegio Eugenia Astur (La Espina, Spain)

Colegio Público El Salvador (Asturias, Spain)

Colegio El Pascon de Tineo (Asturias, Spain)

Park Side Elementary (Broward, Florida)

St Joan of Arc Elementary (Boca Raton, Florida)

“One of the greatest impact the program has had is on our Saint Joan of Arc School Curriculum. As a result of the Human Rights In-house Field Trip, our middle school literature teacher, chose to update the 2017 required summer reading list for our 6th through 8th grade students. She was passionate about choosing novels based on a spectrum of human rights issues. Also, our Fine Arts Night included collaborative posters from each class and grade level which discussed and demonstrate each Human Rights Articles”. Mrs. Roberts Principal of Sant Joan of Arch Catholic School.

Wilton Mannors Elementary (Broward, Florida)

The Human Rights program taught by Elizabet Sanchez Vegas and Devorah Sasha last spring to our 4th graders was outstanding and aligns perfectly with the mission of our school. At Wilton Manors Elementary, an IB World school, we focus on the total growth of the developing child, touching hearts and as well as minds and encompassing social, physical, emotional and cultural factors in addition to academic development.

In 5 days the students at Wilton Manors were taught in such a comprehensive and interactive way that they were able to demonstrate an understanding of each of the 30 human rights. The program is both fun and practical way for children to comprehend the importance of Human Rights. The program started by discussing the 30 Human Rights through videos, team activities, and large group discussions. The student were so engaged and inspired that they continued talking about the program the rest of the day.

During the 5 days that the program was taught, the children had the opportunity to have lively and profound reflections far beyond what is typically expected of children their age These reflections were then expressed through art. Each student created a drawing of the Human Right that was the most important for them.

I would say that the highlight for the program was to make students ambassadors of the Human Rights. This is the difference between this program and the others we have taught at school. The children are given the opportunity to take action and become active members of society. Each student received a badge with his or her picture, which is very important for a 9-10 year old because it is a way of saying, “I believe in you, you can make the difference!”

The program had such a positive impact on our students that we have decided to implement it for the hole school !

Dr. Ana Maria Leon/School Counselor (July 15, 2013)

School C.E.I.P. A Ponte- Lugo-Spain

School C. P. de Cornellana (Asturias-Spain)

School Santa Maria (A Fonsagrada-Galicia-Spain)

School Dolores Medio (Oviedo-Asturias- Spain)