Part I Introduction to human rights education
3.3. EXAMPLES FROM THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION
The following examples describe some of the human rights education programmes offered by NHRIs in
the Asia Pacific region.
3.3.1. Australian Human Rights Commission61
The Australian Human Rights Commission’s community engagement and human rights education
programme works to build understanding and respect for rights at home, at school, at work and in the
community.
Under the Australian Government’s Human Rights Framework, the Commission received funding over
four years (2010–2014) to expand its community education and engagement role. Activities have
included:
• promoting the integration of human rights education in schools as part of the development of
a new national curriculum, as well as providing rightsED teaching resources for teachers and
human rights information for students
• using social media to involve the Australian community in human rights discussions that move
people to take action62
• engaging with business and industry to promote human rights principles as an everyday part of
their operations
• working with employers to build understanding of their legal responsibilities and put in place
strategies to create discrimination-free workplaces
• supporting the national Play by the Rules programme, which promotes inclusive, safe and fair
sport.
3.3.2. Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines63
We were able to build confidence since the [human rights] issues and concerns within the tribe were given
attention by different agencies.
Higaonon, Philippines
The mission of the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines is “[to] evolve a human rights
culture through the institutionalization of a continuing multi-sectoral and multi-disciplinary human rights
education programme in the formal, non-formal and community-based sectors”.
3.3.3. Indonesian National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM)64
To carry out its functions in the fields of education and information, Komnas HAM has mandate and
duty to:
• disseminate human rights principles and information to the Indonesian public
• endeavour to enhance public awareness of human rights through formal and non-formal education
institutions and various other circles
• cooperate with organizations, institutions or other parties at the national, regional and international
levels in the field of human rights.
61
More information is available online at www.humanrights.gov.au/human-rights-education-and-community-engagement.
62
The Commission’s social media initiatives have included Tell Me Something I Don’t Know and Something in Common.
63
Philippine Human Rights Education Decade Plan: A sectoral compilation 1998–2007; Commission on Human Rights of the
Philippines. More information is available online at www.chr.gov.ph.
64
More information is available online at www.komnasham.go.id.
Chapter 3: National human rights institutions and human rights education | 25