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Introduction
Equitas is a leader in human rights education
with over thirty-seven years experience.
During this time, Equitas' capacity-building
programs in Canada and abroad have made
important contributions to building a global
culture of human rights. Civil society organizations
and government institutions have been equipped
to participate more effectively in human
rights debates, to challenge discriminatory
attitudes and practices and to advance important
policy and legislative reforms to enhance
human rights protection and fulfillment.
Programs implemented by Equitas are designed
to strengthen the capacity of participants
and their organizations to engage in effective
human rights education (HRE), monitoring
and advocacy activities. Training sessions
and workshops provide participants with
the opportunity to reflect upon their own
attitudes and experiences, gain new knowledge,
develop skills and establish or strengthen
their networks. Follow-up and evaluation
are essential elements of the learning process.
Equitas' vision of human rights and understanding
of education are reflected in its way of
working. Programs address the needs identified
with international and Canadian partners
and are designed for particular target groups
such as non-governmental organizations (NGO's),
public officials and human rights educators.
Through HRE, Equitas helps them to translate
international, regional and domestic human
rights standards into a highly effective
tool for empowerment, particularly for disadvantaged
groups, and opens important avenues for
all groups in society to participate more
effectively in the decision-making processes
that affect their lives. Strengthening civil
society and democratic institutions reinforces
good governance and contributes to the prevention
and transformation of conflicts.
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Equitas' programs
are effective for a number of reasons.
Teaching methods utilize and promote
participatory learning techniques.
This is based on the understanding that, working
in the field of human rights, participants
already have much to teach one another. Thus,
Equitas' training always starts with sharing
knowledge among participants, which has been
demonstrated as a more effective way of effecting
adult learning. Experts do figure prominently
in Equitas' education programs, but the "panel
of experts" model only comes into play
after participatory techniques are applied.
Expert-participant dialogue is encouraged.
(Click
here to for a detailed presentation of Equitas'
vision for human rights education.)
Equitas' programs are not just about studying
the content of human rights declarations,
covenants and conventions, although these
do figure prominently. Equal if not greater
emphasis is placed on developing understanding
of human rights values and principles.
Participants explore their own value base
in comparison with understandings of human
rights values. This lays a strong foundation
for personal change and for the promotion
and defence of human rights values and principles
in their local context.
Applying learning after training
is emphasized. This is done through careful
selection of participants who are in a position
to apply what they learn once they return
to their home organizations, and through developing
plans for using what is learned. Different
teaching techniques - case studies, simulation
and role play exercises, popular theatre and
open space, to name a few - are utilized and
explained during training so they can be used
once home.
Evaluation is both taught
and used on a daily basis throughout programs,
using different evaluation techniques to encourage
participants' critical thinking, measure how
well things are learned and adapt training
programs accordingly. Follow up evaluations
are done after 6 months and after 2 years
to see how former participants are using what
they learned. Advice is offered on an ongoing
basis.
Rights-based
approaches (RBA) are a key part of
Equitas' programs that are both taught and
applied in CHRF's training. Programs thus
employ and interpret understanding of: "participation"
(people have the right to participate in the
decisions that affect their lives); "inclusion"
(participation should be without discrimination
related to someone's gender, race, ethnicity,
religion, sexual orientation, etc.); and "obligation"
(governments are bound by the human rights
instruments they sign to ensure the promotion
and protection of the human rights of their
citizens and others on their territory). Equitas
believes that rights-based approaches cannot
succeed unless human rights education is a
central element of any strategy, i.e. in order
for rights to be realized, individuals and
governments need to learn about their (and
one another's) rights and obligations.
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The success of Equitas'
programming owes much to the partnerships
it has formed with organizations that share
its aim of building a culture of human rights
through human rights education. To have
a meaningful impact, human rights education
must respond to clearly defined needs and
target an appropriate audience. Working
in partnership with organizations that have
local knowledge and expertise is therefore
essential in identifying specific objectives,
stakeholders and the expected results of
education activities. Partners look to Equitas
for expertise in human rights education
(HRE), including content and instructional
design, and program development. Equitas
works closely with partners in their curriculum
development, logistical preparations, facilitation,
evaluation and follow-up activities.
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