5^th NATIONAL TRAINING SESSION ON
HUMAN RIGHTS & PEACE EDUCATION
Conducted in English & Hindi
18-20 January 2008(Nagpur) India

Organized by:

WORLD ASSOCIATION FOR THE SCHOOL AS AN INSTRUMENT OF PEACE (EIP) INDIA
(Association mondiale pour I’ Ecole Instrument de Paix (EIP

INDIAN INSTITUTE FOR PEACE, DISARMAMENT & ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION (IIPDEP)

537, Sakkardara Road, Nagpur – 440009 India

Tel:  91-712-2745806 Fax: 91-712-2743664

Email:  iipdep_ngp@sancharnet.in

Organized by EIP India & EIP International, Geneva

REPORT

 EIP India with  help from EIP International organized 5^th  National Training session on Human Rights & Peace Education from 18- 20 January 2008 at Nagpur. 86 participants mostly teachers and some NGOs from all parts of India attended the seminar.

On 18^th after the registration of outstation delegates, they were taken for City Tour and “No More Hiroshima. No More Nagasaki. Peace Museum.”  At evening get-together, ideas about this Training session were discussed, which was followed by dinner.

Next day, on 19^th January 2008, after breakfast the training session started with ice breaking exercises of introduction of participants to each other.

Inaugural session was started at 10.00 AM. Justice K.R.Vyas, Chairperson, Maharashtra Human Rights Commission was chief guest for this Function.

Address of the guests and deliberations by experts are given in short.

Dr. Nalini Kurvey:  On behalf of EIP India, EIP International and Indian Institution for Peace, Disarmament & Environmental Protection, welcome address was delivered by Dr. Nalini Kurvey. EIP India started working since 1995 under the guidance of eip International. Which has conducted four National training and five regional training, many more seminars and workshops of teachers, NGO, Government officials   in many cities in India. Trained participants from such training sessions are organizing seminars and short training sessions in their respective areas of working.

She explained the meaning of EIP, which is a French word meaning World Association for School as an Instrument of Peace. It is international non-governmental organization devoted to teaching of Human rights and peace. It was founded by Jacques Mulherhaler. He founded EIP, World Association for the School as an Instrument of Peace with his friends. And set down Universal principle of Civic Education.

Those Universal principles of civic education are as follow:

1.  The school as at a service of humanity.

2 The school paves the way to mutual Understanding for all the children of the world.

3. The school teachers respect for life.

4. The school teaches tolerance, that quality which helps to accept attitude and behavior that are different from his owns.

5. The school develops sense of responsibility, one of the greatest prerogatives of man. The more his condition improves the greater of the responsibility he must assume.

6. The school teaches the child to overcome his egoism,

Out of these First one is the most important, that means school prepares the child to be a good human being.

Since its creation EIP has been continuously enlarging its peace spreading activities and the rule played by school. So that Today’s children, who are future citizens, should live in peaceful world. EIP has got consultative status to international organizations like UN, UNESCO, ILO, Council of Europe etc. EIP can make governments aware of the necessicity of peace education, proposes changes for their text books and education programmes.

In 1984 EIP created a foundation, the international training center on human rights and peace teaching, called CIFEDHOP, which organizes annual international training sessions in Geneva. In Asia eip India is organizing Human Rights Training session on National and state levels.

It is said that if you are planning for the future, educate your children. This is the reason EIP is targeting teachers, who will inculcate Human Rights values in their pupils. If we wish to create a lasting; peace we must begin with children. India has one of the largest educational systems of the world with largest number of primary and secondary schools.

She stressed the necessity for such training sessions which are to introduce Human Rights ideas and necessity of interactive learning to introduce different modules for putting into practice, participation and respect of students’ rights and opportunity of sharing experiences with each other.

Justice Vyas.Chairperson, Maharashtra Human Rights Commission addressing the delegates. Dr. Balkrishna Kurvey, Dr. Yamini Alsi, Dr. Nalini Kurvey on dais.

Dr. Mrs.  Yamini Alsi noted Gynecologist and Social Worker said   I am really happy to know the work done by Dr. Kurvey. When the child is born we are the first to hand over the baby to mother and mother is the first Guru /teacher and 2^nd teacher are you. It is very important to teach   knowledge of human rights. Without knowing their rights how child can face the world. The delegates from Jammu & Kashmir to Kerala are attending the training session.  The workshop is not only to attend but how we follow it and impart to our students and society. The chief guest Justice Vyas, Chairperson of Maharashtra Human Rights Commission is a proper person to address and guide you. First we are citizen of India and world. She wish best of luck and fruitful deliberation in this training session.

Dr. Balkrishna Kurvey: said indeed I am happy to see many new faces from all parts of India. Why we require such type of training? India is moving towards development very fast and it going to become of the major power in the world. But until and unless Human Rights are observed, India could not become major power. He said that he has seen and observed that countries where Human Rights are not observed and violated, peace is not in the society and community.  Human Rights are pre-requisite for peace and development. Peace and Human Rights are two sides of one coin. Our main aim to arranged such types of training is very much relevant for our sustainable development and timely requirement for India

As per UN maxim “As war started in the mines of men, peace also must start in the minds of men” Role of teachers is very important to teach human rights and peace to the students.  In school days what students will learn will be imprinted in their mind and at adult age it will surface. Rightly educated students are important for the society and nation. Police and Military are in lime light due to violator of Human rights.  We should not forget that military and police are also human being and they are part of society. When militants, indiscriminately killed and injured our Jawans and police, their human rights are also violated. The lower rank of them should be taught about Human Rights .Two pillars of Human Rights is Justice Department and police. We are lucky that an important person from judiciary and police department is here to address the delegates. I am hopeful that in this three days deliberation we will learn ideas of the teachers regarding teaching of Human Rights and Peace, The role of teachers are very important.

EIP India and IIPDEP are working for human rights and peace education from more than 10 years with support and guidance from EIP International. We are thankful to Ms Monique, Secretary of EIP International, her staff and members of EIP International, Dr. Kurvey wish Happy New Year and fruitful deliberations.   

Justice K.R.Vyas, Chairperson of Maharashtra Human Rights Commission said Maharashtra Human Rights Commission is supposed to hear the violation of the Human Rights and other activities of awareness of Human Rights. Most people are not aware of human rights.  First time, I read the EIP booklet and came across that such Yeoman work done by EIP International and EIP India.   I come from judiciary and Chief Justice, joined the Maharashtra Human Rights Commission as chairperson.  Dissemination and spread of Human Rights is also one of the most important works of Human Rights Commission. If the teachers will know about Human Rights, certainly they will give education to students. In India every citizen enjoyed fundamental rights. Certain rights are essential to live with dignity. It is mentioned in University Declaration of Human Rights. In early 1990 India failed to need a Human Rights Commission but due to positive criticism by western countries especially on Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir and North East India, pressure was to create National Human Rights Commission. Human Rights Act was passed in 1994. The purpose of ACT is to provide mechanism for Human Rights Commission and better protection of Human Rights. Important work of Human Rights Commission is to investigate on the complaints of violation of   Human Rights. Act also provide establishment of State Human Rights Commission. Commission has to submit the report to State/Central Government. The judiciary will observe the implementation of Human Rights. UN is to monitor the Human Rights in the world. Civil society play important role and NGO and media play promotion, protection and implementation of Human Rights in world.

Violation of Human Rights is universal, child labor, genocide, slavery, racial discrimination. India has also rights violation, wife beating, Dalits, displacement of poor farmers and tribal’s for so called development. Judiciary and National Human Rights Commission is yet to be seen the effectiveness. We receive most complaint of custodial harassment. Police need to be sensitized and change of attitude of police.  . Supreme Court of India has given landmark judgment on police. Justice Vyas sited many cases of Supreme Court judgment. Compensation should pay to victims by concern department.

Training of awareness to police/government officers and public is essential and sensitize then about the Human Rights. Human Rights education should be imparted to students with critically analysis which help him/her in the   beginning of their career. I am hopeful that this will imparted to the delegates. Person suffering mental/physical handicap are also suffering, there cause should also be taken on human rights platform. There is lack of information in society; you should take up the cases and forward to your state Human Rights Commission. Lastly I thank Dr. Kurvey and her team for arranging such important National training session for teachers and NGO and it will surely bear the fruits. Also convey my thank to eip International for such noble work and urge them to assist/guide/help EIP India. Such training will help the biggest democracy of the world that is India.

QUESTION TO JUSTICE VYAS:

After the inauguration speech by Justice Vyas, many delegates ask questions which was rightly answered by Justice Vyas.

Session: UN Convention on human Rights & Fundamental Rights in Indian Constitution                                                  

Dr. Balkrishna Kurvey, President, Indian Institute for peace, Disarmament & Environmental Protection addressed the delegates on UN Convention of Human Rights and Fundamental Rights in Indian Constitution.The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 10 December 1948 at Palais de Chaillot, Paris.  The Declaration arose directly from the experience of the Second World War and represents the first global expression of rights to which all human beings are inherently entitled. It consists of 30 articles which have been elaborated in subsequent international treaties, regional human rights instruments, national constitutions and laws. The International Bill of Human Rights consists of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and its two Optional Protocols. In 1966 the General Assembly adopted the two detailed Covenants, which complete the International Bill of Human Rights; and in 1976, after the Covenants had been ratified by a sufficient number of individual nations, the Bill took on the force of international law.

WORKSHOP: QUESTIONNAIRE (UN Convention)

Facilitator: Mr. Fadtare and Chandra Bhushan Pratap Singh

After the speech by Dr. Kurvey the Participants were divided in groups and given the questionnaire on Human Rights in general and on Indian Human Rights Commission. Participants were asked to discuss among themselves and write on the board. After finishing, group leader was asked to read and explain the answers, while all group members standing beside and helping the leader, showing the participation of each member.

Group Leader explaining the workshop on UN Convention

Session: Children’s Rights

Dr. Nalini Kurvey, President EIP India said that  the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is an international human rights treaty that grants all children and young people (aged 17 and under) a comprehensive set of rights. India signed and ratified the treaty.  When a country ratifies the convention it agrees to do everything it can to implement it. The convention gives children and young people over 40 substantive rights. These include the right to:

• ·         Special protection measures and assistance

• ·         Access to services such as education and health care

• ·         Develop their personalities, abilities and talents to the fullest potential

• ·         Grow up in an environment of happiness, love and understanding

• ·         Be informed about and participate in achieving their rights in an accessible and active manner

All of the rights in the convention apply to all children and young people without discrimination. A state who are party to the convention has obligations to ratify the convention, including reporting to the international treaty monitoring body, the Committee on the Rights of the Child.

WORKSHOP: Child Rights was conducted. The teachers were divided into small groups and they were asked to discuss and come with inferences about the rights, which are followed in their schools and which were violated. They had to search for the article number which is related to the statements and explain in their language, which made all the participants to know the rights of the children. They were also made to think about the rights which are violated and how. Also they were asked to brainstorm, how they can rectify the situations and make their schools student friendly.

Some new ideas were shared by the participants, about equal participation and equal dignity to each child regardless of the gender, caste, economic status. The teachers were convinced that they have to respect the rights of the children. Teacher will act as facilitator to the children.

Dr. Chandrashekhar Fadnaik was the moderator for this workshop, who applauded the teachers for presenting the workshop so effectively. He asked the teachers to work for inculcating the human rights values in their students. Also they should make them aware of their duties so that the students will become responsible citizens of our country when they will grow up.

 Discussion among delegates on Child Rights

SUNDAY January 20, 2008

After Breakfast, fist session started at 9.00 a. m.

Session started with first days recap with  groups discussing amongst themselves and and Dr. Balkrishna Kurvey  moderated, gave explanations to the participants queries and explaining articles on Human rights and giving examples of the incidences  and cases handled by Human rights commission.

Session: Protection of Human Rights through development of emotional Competence:

Dr. K. Bhandrkar, Principal, P.P. College of Education, Gondia, Maharashtra addressed the delegated that today’s topic Emotional Development and Competence will touch what are Human Rights and how it is violated. You are aware that values are important in Human Rights. Values direct our life and action. What a person will do at given time situation is decided by his values. Human Rights   have to develop of   any person in his 1) Cognitive; 2) Affective and 3) Psychological development. In our traditional development every 10 years knowledge is exploded and became double in 10 years. We have to accept the new knowledge.  Psycho Motor development affects the individual and in this domain proper attention is not given. Learning to live together is essential. As per UNESCO report we have to become the part of society wherever you are living.

Human rights education is fundamental and that it is therefore essential that citizens are educated on human rights and fundamental freedoms and the commitment to respect such rights and freedom in domestic legislation and international instrument to which they may be parties. More detailed knowledge of the national legislation and the international instruments is rare in the general public. There is a void on how to use this legislation against violation of human rights and in defense of the dignity of man.

Developing countries/East countries and Third World leaders and other are to be persuaded that respect for human rights is only compatible with but also indispensable for the success of their economic development objectives. The promotion of human rights is both an instrument and a goal to development. The role of teachers/learners to emphasize respect for all human rights is the economic, social and cultural, civil. Political.  A development policy strategy bases on the denial of any one of these rights is a negative of the concept of development.

WORKSHOP: Human Rights Methodology

Facilitator Pradip Lande and Prakash Tekade.

After deliberation by Dr. Bhandarkar, the participants were divided in small groups and workshop on different methods and models of teaching was conducted. The participants had beautifully presented the results of this workshop by various methods and models applications. Different groups used different methods and models such as writings, role plays, dramas, songs, interpretations. After completion of the workshop, the group leader or in some groups all participants explained with the methods or models allotted to them the results of the workshop. Everybody was so enthusiastic about their group’s performance; they presented the outcomes very efficiently and authoritatively. After all the groups had finished, participants had the practical knowledge of all methods and models and realized how beautifully they can teach human rights with help of writing, interpretation, drama, poems.  

Findings of Workshop Human Rights Methodology

Session:  Human Rights Literacy

Dr, Kishore Mahabal, Professor of Political Science, Nagpur University, started his session on Human Rights Literacy. He first told short stories to the participants. These stories were based on Human Rights, violations of Human Rights and some were on Human Rights protections. Participants were asked to make groups and discuss these stories one by one and draw some inference. This was brainstorming session. After the discussion was over the participants were assembled in the Hall and were encouraged in explaining the situations and solutions, and identifying Human Rights articles and how Human Rights were violated. Later on Dr. Mahabal completed the task by deliberating on all Human Rights s stories.

Discussion among participants on Human Rights Literacy

Ideas and Projects run by Participants and Expectation from participants:

Ms. Indira Rane, Washim observed Hiroshima Day on 6^th August 2005 at her school. She organized the essay competition for the students after explaining them the ill effects of nuclear weapons and wad war and why there is need for total elimination of nuclear weapons. On 10^th December the School celebrated Human Rights day. Various activities for the students as well as the teachers were organized. She explained with simple methods, how human Rights can be taught to the students.

Mr. Shridhar Jaybhaye, teacher from Sind Khed Raja who an attended the Regional Training session at Amravati. Since the he is organizing Human Rights awareness activities for the fellow teachers. He is conducting the seminars for the teachers. He talks about the methodology, he learnt in the training, to his peers.

Mr. Chandra Bhushan Prasad Singh All the teachers and students  of the observed Hiroshima Day on 6^th August and Nagasaki day on 9^th August as historical days. The destruction due to Atom Bomb was discussed and all could imagine the inhuman behavior.  Everybody was determined to work for peace and disarmament and therefore there is the need for Human Rights Education from the beginning. Arranged day Human Rights education seminars for teachers in 9 schools. On 10^th December, Human Rights day was celebrated with great enthusiasm, stressing the need for Human Rights teaching. Mr. Chandra Bhushan urged the teachers as well as students to go beyond, caste, creed, religion, gender and work for humanity. The values of Human Rights should be inculcated from the childhood and schools can do the job through teachers.

Many delegates said that retired teachers or School Inspectors if involved give their time and utilize their energy and experience in spreading the message of human rights .If  EIP gives letter of recommendation for the education officers and minister of education , the retired teachers can go from school to school and spread the message of human rights.

One participant was quick in making songs and singing them, she said this training session has provided so much knowledge and information, that all participants will remember forever.

Many participants said EIP has given them the material as well as training and now it’s their duty to convey these human rights ideas to their students and they have to give their students the confidence that teachers are their mentors and supporters as well as facilitator.

One participant said that the seeds sown by EIP of human rights will grow into a big beautiful tree through our teacher’s efforts.  We will take this message from school to school and village to village.

One participant narrated the experiences and the human rights projects he is running in his region, He teaches human rights and explains the articles with examples to the groups of teachers in monthly teachers’ meeting. Similarly he had conducted sessions for the police personals in his area.

One participant recited poems and praises the work of EIP India.

All the participants unanimously passed the resolution that EIP training session in India is very essential for the largest democracy in the world. Human Rights teaching through the trained teachers will strengthen the democracy and pave the way for development in India. All the participants requested Ms Monique and EIP International to continue the trainings session in India.

Lastly they congratulated Dr. Nalini and Dr. Balkrishna Kurvey and team of EIP India for arranging such important training session.

Concluding session was chaired by Dr. Nalini Kurvey and Mr. Pradip Lande.

After distribution of certificates the National training session was concluded with vote of thanks by Mrs. Pratibha Dhok.

GROUP PHOTO