Human Rights

What are Human Rights?

Human rights ensure that all people are treated with dignity and equality. We all have the right to access basic needs such as food, water and shelter. These rights protect us from violence and abuse and work towards the end of ignorance and hatred. No matter what country we live in, who our parents are or what religion we practice, human rights are essential.

They are universal and should never be denied. Human rights are about compassion, understanding and respect.

• Explore the Issue

  Freedom from Fear

  Everyone in the world has the right to live without fear of violence and war. Yet for so many, it is a daily reality.

   

   

   

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  Freedom of Expression

  Throughout the world, many people face violence and imprisonment as a result of exercising their right to freedom of expression. Everyone should have the right to educate themselves through receiving or sharing information and ideas without fear of persecution.

   

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  Gender Equality

  According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights all people are born equal regardless of gender, race, religion or age. However women, the world over, experience violations of their human rights ranging from subtle discrimination in some countries to being treated as second-class citizens in others.

   

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  Child Rights

  Around the world, there are children who are denied their human rights. They are forced to work without hope of an education, they are forced to be child soldiers, or they are abandoned and left to make a life for themselves on the streets. 

• Questions about Human Rights

  1. Do our rights as Canadians differ from those who live in other countries?
  2. What affects these rights?
  3. Why do some countries not follow the guidelines of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?

• Resources for Grades K-6

  Activities

  Amandla!

  Sing along with a South African song and fill in blank words. Source: Amnesty International

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  Teaching Children’s Rights Through Art

  35 art lessons and activities that explore children’s rights through drawing, photography, sculpture and collage. Source: UNICEF

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  The Convention on the Rights of the Child

  Stop motion animation created by a grade 10 student for elementary students on the UN Convenion on the Rights of the Child. A great introduction. Source: Andre Farstad

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  For More Resources Click Here!

• Resources for Grades 7-12

  Activities

  Where do you stand?

  An activity designed to introduce the subject of human rights, as well as the UDHR and other Human Rights instruments and documents. Source: Amnesty International

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  Teaching Children’s Rights Through Art

  35 art lessons and activities that explore children’s rights through drawing, photography, sculpture and collage. Source: UNICEF

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  Resources

  Bullying, Discrimination and Human Rights
  Young people have the right to be safe, strong and free. Bullying is the loss of basic human rights.Source: OTF and COPA

   

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  For More Resources Click Here!

• Links to Partner Resource Libraries

  Links to more Educational Materials	KGG Partner?	Country
  John Humphrey Centre	yes	Canada
  Change for Children	yes	Canada

Related Videos

• History of Human Rights

  We are all born free and equal

• Declaration of Human Rights

  Fair Trade - Stopping Child Labour

• Convention on the Rights of the Child Animation

More

• Submit a Resource

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  Send us an email with the details - and we'll check it out.

  • Submit a Resource

• How to Take Action

  Do you want to get involved either locally or internationally in this issue?

  If so, check out the Explore column to the right. It contains NGO projects that you could support, as well as links to the showcases.