Commonwealth Human Rights Curriculum Model for India Launched
26 May 2005
Four universities in India -- Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University, Nashik; University of Pune; SNDT Women's University, Mumbai; and Panjab University, Chandigarh -- will be offering courses in human rights this year.
 |
| Dr Rupa Shah, Vice-Chancellor of the SNDT Women's University, speaking at the launch of the new Commonwealth Human Rights Curriculum Model. |
This follows the official launch of the new Commonwealth Human Rights Curriculum Model in Mumbai, India, on 16 May 2005.
The courses will be offered at three levels. The basic level is a five-day orientation course which creates awareness of the international and national mechanisms for the promotion, protection and fulfilment of human rights. The certificate course is a four-month programme targeted at those who can deliver and implement government decisions which impact on people's rights. The diploma course is a one-year programme which focuses on a more in-depth study of human rights. These courses were designed by the Commonwealth Legal Education Association under a commission from the Commonwealth Secretariat.
In a message delivered on behalf of Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Florence Mugasha by Jarvis Matiya of the Secretariat's Human Rights Unit at the launch, Mrs Mugasha said: "In an increasingly divided and insecure world, the protection of and respect for human rights can only be achieved if people are aware of what human rights are and how they can be protected. Without that awareness, nothing much can be done."
Human rights, Mrs Mugasha stated, are emblematic of the Commonwealth as enshrined in the Harare Declaration of 1991. "The interdependent relationship between human rights and political values on the one hand, and development on the other hand, requires international co-operation to support democracies in achieving benefits for the poor. The Commonwealth is dedicated to upholding the rights of its citizens, and assisting governments and all stakeholders to work in a constructive and progressive way to ensure the rights are respected at all times."
The Deputy Secretary-General said the model curriculum, which was adapted to suit local needs, "takes into account cultural and traditional beliefs without losing the core fundamental human rights principles that it seeks to promote. The approach gives us the latitude and flexibility to replicate the project in other parts of the Commonwealth."
Justice Anant Mane, Chairperson of the Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission, noted: "There is a growing recognition of human rights in incorporating change and promoting sustainable development through accountability. Universities can play a role in spreading knowledge on human rights and development."
Dr Rupa Shah, Vice-Chancellor of the SNDT Women's University, said: "This project takes human rights out of the legal framework, because for a long time, human rights education has been attached to legal education. With this project, anyone can easily learn about human rights without necessarily having to be a law student."
The Regional Director of the Commonwealth Youth Programme Asia Centre, Raka Rashid, stated: "At last something is being done to provide access to human rights education for people who are not lawyers. It is useful that this curriculum model links human rights to development and takes into account the needs of the vulnerable, such as women and young people."
CNIS - the Commonwealth News and Information Service Issue 236, 25 May 2005
delicious
digg
reddit
facebook
stumbleupon
News feeds