OSCE presents a new methodological tool for teaching human rights at schools in Ukraine

An OSCE-supported Human Rights Calendar was presented at Ukraine’s Ministry of Education and Science during the joint OSCE-Council of Europe event on 9 December 2016 in Kyiv.

Developed by a multi-stakeholder working group, convened by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine, the Human Rights Calendar is a methodological tool for teachers of various backgrounds to promote human rights education at schools using different approaches and means in an interactive, engaging and enjoyable way. The manual contains lesson materials, which have been successfully piloted in more than 10 schools across Ukraine, with practical exercises for different age groups.

The Human Rights Calendar received endorsement by the Ministry of Education and Science to be used across the country in different educational institutions to promote human rights. Over 4,000 copies of the Calendar will be distributed to Ukraine’s hub schools and regional branches of the Institute of Post-graduate Pedagogical Education by the end of 2016.  

The presentation was followed by a roundtable discussion on the current state and future developments in human rights education in Ukraine which produced practical recommendations to develop citizenship competencies at school.

The recommendations were developed in line with the OSCE human rights commitments, the Council of Europe Charter on Education for Democratic Citizenship and Human Rights Education and the New Ukrainian School Concept, recently presented by the Ministry of Education and Science.

The presentation was organized as part of a project aimed at improving legal education and promoting human rights education in Ukraine implemented upon request of Ukraine’s Ministry of Education and Science and the Ministry of Justice.

The OSCE Project Co-ordinator supports a comprehensive approach to promoting human rights education in Ukraine by the means of implementing a relevant multi-stakeholder Action Plan 2016-2020, developing and distributing methodological instruments for teachers and students, carrying out targeted training activities for educators, and raising general awareness on human rights.