Pushing the Boundaries of Human Rights Education: Concepts, Challenges and Contexts

This book pushes the theoretical boundaries of human rights education, engaging with complex questions of climate-related injustices, re-imagining education through a decolonising lens, and problematising the relationship between rights and responsibilities.

It presents international studies of HRE in varied contexts (e.g. Uganda, Japan, Ireland) to explore the views and experiences of children who identify as human rights defenders, initial teachers’ understandings of concepts such as teacher agency in conflict-affected settings, and the barriers to children’s political agency. The book also highlights HRE in practice including participatory research with very young children as co-researchers and realising rights through play pedagogies, creative writing approaches and picturebooks. An HRE lens is also brought to bear on emerging subjects such as relationships and sexuality education and well-being.

Aimed at educators, researchers and practitioners, and engaging with a range of concepts, contexts and contemporary challenges, this book offers new insights into HRE, particularly in the context of issues relating to children’s rights education and participation.

Benjamin Mallon is Assistant Professor of Geography and Citizenship Education at the School of STEM Education, Innovation & Global Studies in the Institute of Education, Dublin City University, Ireland. He researches and teaches in the area of education for sustainability, with a particular focus on pedagogical approaches which address conflict, challenge violence and support the development of peaceful societies.

Fionnuala Waldron is Professor Emerita and Cregan Professor of Teacher Education at the DCU Institute of Education, Dublin City University, Ireland. She has published widely in history education, human rights education and global citizenship. She co-founded the Centre for Human Rights and Citizenship Education (DCU) with Brian Ruane in collaboration with Amnesty Ireland.

Caitríona Ní Cassaithe is Assistant Professor of History Education in the Institute of Education, Dublin City University, Ireland. Her expertise is in the areas of historical enquiry and the development of children’s historical thinking skills. Her other research interests include heritage and place-based education, teaching controversial issues and disciplinary literacy.