Sandy Sohcot says: In 2010, when we published The World As It Could Be Program curriculum, we developed our 3-day Institute held in collaboration with the International & Multicultural Education Department of the University of San Francisco School of Education so that we could train teachers on using the creative arts to deepen learning of the UDHR.  We also pursued opportunities to present the curriculum to Social Studies teachers.  In March of 2010 I had the privilege of presenting the curriculum at the California Council of the Social Studies (CCSS), the state chapter of the National Council of the Social Studies (NCSS).

At the same time,  I also had the pleasure of meeting Rosemary Blanchard.  Since that time I have had the opportunity to become more involved with Rosemary and other Human Rights Education scholars and educators to help raise awareness about the significance of Human Rights Education as part of a quality education for all youth across the United States, as explained more in this write-up about the forming of HRE USA.

Rosemary has worked tirelessly over the last several years with colleagues in collaboration with NCSS to establish Human Rights Education as a vital part of the teaching of Social Studies.  In 2013, a Human Rights Education Special Interest Community was established within NCSS, which Rosemary chairs, and of which I’m a proud member.  Then, in September 2014, again with Rosemary’s active involvement, the NCSS Board of Governors adopted a formal statement regarding the importance of Human Rights Education.  Here is the Executive Summary of this statement, with a link to the full statement for added reference.

In mid-February, while attending a conference in Albuquerque, NM, where Rosemary resides, I had the opportunity to interview her about her work on Human Rights Education, including the development of the NCSS statement.  Enjoy viewing the excerpts of Rosemary’s compelling messages about what Human Rights Education is all about and why it’s so vital to the full development of our youth and to the health of our communities.