Last August (2013), the Rex Foundation had the pleasure of working with The Advocates for Human Rights and the University of Minnesota Human Rights Center on the first Arts and Human Rights Institute.  We are delighted to share with you the Culminating Presentation video and photographs from the Institute.

 

About the Arts and Human Rights Institute 2013

team photo

Minneapolis Arts and Human Rights Institute 2013 Team

The Arts and Human Rights Institute was held on August 12-14 at the University of Minnesota campus in Minneapolis.  The Institute was a tremendous success!  We enjoyed a unique collaboration, not only among our three presenting organizations, but also with four outstanding creative arts professionals, to offer a distinctive and meaningful learning experience.  The Institute was well attended by a participant group comprised of local human rights advocates, educators and nonprofit leaders.  We also had the pleasure of involving three youth artists who presented their spoken word creations about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and inspired everyone.

The Institute utilized the Rex’s The World As It Could Be Curriculum as the model for teaching Human Rights Education (HRE) concepts through the arts.  The participants not only gained knowledge about HRE, but had the opportunity to use a range of arts methods to grasp and embody HRE concepts, as well as to express their ideas about the importance of incorporating human rights tenets in education and community endeavors.  With less than three hours of preparation, the participants performed Culminating Presentations reflecting the depth of what they experienced in training.

Participants in Minneapolis Institute

Participants in the 2013 Minneapolis Arts and Human Rights Institute

Based on the resoundingly positive comments the participants shared about what they learned and experienced, including the enjoyment of discovering their own creative talents, we anticipate they will actively implement what they learned in their classrooms and organizations, inspiring their students and colleagues to advance human rights for all people.  We look forward to many more Institutes and our continuing connection.