Organizations in the United States work on a wide range of social issues. But many do not frame their efforts as human rights work. The National Center for Human Rights Education (NCHRE) in Atlanta, Georgia works to change that framework. NCHRE seeks to build a grassroots domestic human rights movement. It trains organizations in the United States to frame social justice issues as human rights issues. NCHRE created a human rights education curriculum for grassroots social justice organizations. The human rights framework is not just theoretical. It leads to real-world victories and policy changes such as raising the minimum wage.
Shifting the Framework
NCHRE conducted a poll in 1997. They found that over 90 percent of Americans did not know of the existence of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. NCHRE responded to this lack of understanding of human rights in the United States. They created a human rights education curriculum for grassroots social justice organizations.
NCHRE distributed nearly half a million copies of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. They also hold conferences, meetings and community events. In its training sessions, NCHRE emphasizes the universal nature of human rights. They show that anyone can be either a perpetrator of abuse or a victim. NCHRE also teaches ways to protect human rights. Particularly through education on the legal and technical aspects of human rights. Trainers then work with participants to develop human rights action plans. Plans that will use in their own communities.
Real World Impact
Participants in the training sessions bring back to their organizations the ideas and skills learned in the workshops. This exponentially increases the reach of NCHRE’s work. Since its creation, NCHRE has trained over 16,000 social justice advocates in human rights. A number of groups trained by NCHRE have used a human rights framework to make positive changes in their communities.
For example, the Georgia Citizens Coalition on Hunger used human rights-based arguments. They persuaded the state legislature to pass the first minimum wage increase in more than 30 years. The human rights frame deepened the understanding of the issue to yield results.
People in developed countries may see the term “human rights” only in relation to the developing world. Human rights as concepts and ideals may seem far-removed and foreign. This attitude can lead to a damaging complacency. A lack of awareness can hinder community efforts to advocate for human rights. A human rights frame provides grassroots organizations with this important tool. It helps them recognize and articulate social justice issues as human rights issues. Communities can understand their struggles within the global context of human rights struggles. This empowers activists to advocate more effectively for change. Not only at a local or national level, but within a global framework of rights. NCHRE provides a new tactic to groups fighting problems like hunger, poverty and homelessness. Framing their work in this new way may create new allies, attracting new people to their cause. Human rights framing of issues broadens support for solutions and protects fundamental freedoms. The protection of rights is not only about helping victims. It is also about preventing abuses and ensuring accountability.
New Tactics in Human Rights does not advocate for or endorse specific tactics, policies or issues.
