The Need for Human Rights Education in Northern Ireland: A Pupil Survey

Abstract

Internationally, human rights education is seen as 1 way of promoting active citizenship and, ultimately, social justice and peace. For the past 30 years, Northern Ireland has been characterized by political conflict and community divisions. With the continuation of the peace process, human rights have been identified as an essential component of the efforts to improve community relations and to achieve a lasting peace. As part of its responsibilities, the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission is required to promote awareness and understanding of human rights through educational activities and the Bill of Rights in Schools Project. Results of a baseline survey of 580 pupils indicate that despite moderate levels of interest in human rights and confidence in engaging with human rights, knowledge of human rights is extremely low in Northern Ireland postprimary schoolchildren. These findings are discussed in relation to the clear need for specific human rights education in divided societies.