Education & Guidance
Image Courtesy of the Bermuda National Gallery : Praying – Sharon Wilson
Human Rights Education – Bringing Rights to Life!
The Human Rights Commission works to increase awareness about what human rights are, why they matter, and how you can best protect and access them. We also identify what actions can help bring these rights to life in ways that strengthen our diverse society by creating practices that are inclusive and just for all members.
Learning about what your rights and responsibilities is the first step toward respecting, promoting and helping to defend those rights – for yourself and others.
Human Rights Education seeks to improve standards in law, policy and, most importantly, in practice, by encouraging everyone to help BRING RIGHTS TO LIFE from simple daily actions to large-scale systemic and institutional changes.
The United Nations defines Human Rights Education as a “deliberate, participatory practice aimed at empowering individuals, groups and communities through fostering knowledge, skills and attitudes consistent with internationally recognized human rights principles”.
We provide a variety of methods to deliver human rights awareness to suit the needs of our diverse stakeholders. The Commission look forward to working with you to help promote and protect rights for ALL.
Presentations & Workshops
The Commission welcomes requests from the public for educational sessions, and can tailor presentations on the Human Rights Act, 1981, and the associated protections therein, or related areas of human rights protections to meet the needs of your school, workplace or agency. We will conduct a needs assessment and work with you to meet your objectives.
Consultations
Often people wish to ask questions or better understand the legislation or their legal and social duties in support of human rights. The Commission works with a variety of stakeholders, to address their queries and ensure human rights considerations are embedded within the development of new policies or legislation. Often we find that organisations or individuals are seeking advice or guidance in how best to promote, protect or balance rights within their organisation. HRC Officers also work with stakeholders to address any questions, review existing materials or help brainstorm on projects to help strengthen their efforts in support of creating inclusive environments free from harassment and discrimination.
Policy Development
The Commission is available to assist stakeholders in developing new, or updating existing, policies that help reflect evolving human rights standards, together with their organisation’s commitment to creating healthy environments that promote and protect human rights in practice. Developing policies with human rights considerations in mind is an opportunity to put in place best practice for your school, department or Ministry that is inclusive and helps to ensure against discriminatory practices. Policies (that are utilised!) can be vital tools in the promotion of human rights. They should be living documents that are regularly monitored and evaluated to determine how effective they are in meeting your human rights objectives.
Guidelines
The Commission is available to assist stakeholders in developing new, or updating existing, policies that help reflect evolving human rights standards, together with their organisation’s commitment to creating healthy environments that promote and protect human rights in practice. Developing policies with human rights considerations in mind is an opportunity to put in place best practice for your school, department or Ministry that is inclusive and helps to ensure against discriminatory practices. Policies (that are utilised!) can be vital tools in the promotion of human rights. They should be living documents that are regularly monitored and evaluated to determine how effective they are in meeting your human rights objectives.
Research
The Human Rights Commission engages in research as part of its ongoing advocacy and awareness duties both in terms of legislative review and to inform engagement with all of its stakeholders to support best practice in the field of human rights. We also draw on the extensive research that is available locally and internationally in the field of human rights law and practice to evolve our own practices and knowledge.
Collaborations & Partnerships
It takes a village to bring human rights to life! The Human Rights Commission is proud to work alongside, and build upon, the dedicated efforts of local and international human rights advocates and agencies that seek to promote and protect the rights of those in Bermuda. Collaboration and partnership help to bring context, expertise and relevance to the work of human rights in practice. We welcome invitations to present alongside partners and collaborate in events that help to promote and protect rights. Working together helps us all to better understand rights in practice, and allows us to model the spirit of communication and collaboration we seek to see reflected in our community.
Events
Human Rights are integral to all aspects of life in Bermuda. We welcome the opportunity to join with and support events or activities hosted by individuals, schools, clubs, religious organisations, companies and agencies – participating in diverse events is a chance for us to commune and learn with our partners, and to reinforce the human rights opportunities and responsibilities we all have to help bring rights to life in our own unique sphere of influence and areas of life in Bermuda. People live and work in distinct ways, and we want to ensure we meet people where they are, to provide the support and assistance they need.
The Commission honours the United Nation’s international days of recognition as an opportunity to join in solidarity with the rest of the world in remembering the work that has been achieved in support of rights, and to galvanise our resources for the work that remains.