First Step Towards Creating a Human Rights-Friendly School Culture
-NHRCK Hosts Workshop for Human Rights Training Research School Managers-
The National Human Rights Commission of Korea (Chairperson Kyong-Whan Ahn) hosted the third workshop for human rights training research (or model) schools (2008-2009) at the education and training center of Konkuk University in Seoul from April 22 (Tuesday) to April 23 (Wednesday). The workshop was attended by more than 50 people including principals and relevant teachers of 22 primary, elementary, and high schools designated as human rights research schools, and education supervisors from the education offices of competent jurisdiction.
Nine of the 22 schools represented were model schools designated by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology at the request of the NHRCK, including Waryong High School in Daegu, and the 13 other schools were those being operated as human rights training model schools independently designated by metropolitan and provincial education offices, including Daejeon Girls' High School. The attendees participated in presentations on human rights training cases, debates on creation of human rights-friendly school culture, various training programs for enhanced human rights sensitivity, and other such events.
In a school culture that emphasizes college entrance above all else, the human rights training research (or model) schools, now in their third year, are intended to nurture democratic citizens who acknowledge and respect the rights of themselves and others and try to live in harmony with others. The sphere of their activities is being expanded into safeguarding and promoting human rights at home and in areas likely to be in the dead zone of human rights.
