The Tom Lantos Institute convened a workshop on citizenship and human rights education (CHRED) in Hungary on 10 December 2015. The meeting gathered 14 participants from civil society organisations and public institutions with the aim to have a better understanding of the current landscape of CHRED in Hungary, and to explore possible avenues for setting up a CHRED platform in Hungary.

Participants had intense discussions on the current framework curriculum and the space it gives for teaching citizenship and human rights related issues; the position of civil society organisations and their cooperation with schools and public institutions; as well as the educational environment, from the training of teachers to the school reality. Participants also raised the discrepancy between curriculum and practices, and pointed out the necessity to map out and explore already existing initiatives, opportunities and entry points for CHRED. Last but not least, a participant reminded us of the potential contribution of the private sphere to CHRED.

The TLI plans to convene further meetings in the future and welcomes the participation of interested actors from the civil society, public institutions, and the private sphere.

Human Rights Education in Context

According to the United Nations, Human Rights Education (HRE) aims at “promoting universal respect for and observance of all human rights and fundamental freedoms”; it contributes to the building and promotion of a universal culture of human rights. It encompasses education about, through, and for human rights. (2011 UN Declaration on Human Rights Education and Training)

In its Charter on Education for Democratic Citizenship and Human Rights Education adopted in 2010, the Council of Europe differentiates Education for Democratic Citizenship (EDC) and Human Rights Education (HRE). The former focuses on the exercise and defence of democratic rights and responsibilities citizens have in a given society, but also on diversity and active participation in democratic life. The latter aims “to contribute to the building and defence of a universal culture of human rights in society”. (2010 CoE Charter on Education for Democratic Citizenship and Human Rights Education)

“According to the students, the term ‘human rights’ is scarcely dealt with in everyday school life in a variety of countries. At the same time, there seems to be hardly any systematic development of human rights as a subject or attempts to develop a commitment to human rights in lessons. This finding is in clear contrast to the statements of all the EU states surveyed, in which HRE enjoys a clear priority within the framework of school education.” (Fundamental Rights Agency, Discover the past for the future. The role of historical sites and museums in Holocaust education and human rights education in the EU. 2011)