Wassmuth Youth Leadership Program
Wassmuth Youth Leadership Program Learn more about our youth leadership program. Wassmuth Youth Leadership Program Students of all ages have always participated in the Center’s programs, whether in the Memorial, as service projects, or at community venues like the Morrison Center. In 2023, the Center decided to build on the previous “Students in Action” group to create the Wassmuth Youth Leadership program (WYLP). The WYLP is a yearlong learning and service opportunity for young people in 9-12 grades in the Treasure Valley that explores the connection between addressing human rights issues and leadership skills and qualities. Students begin the year with shared participant-selected readings, movies, podcasts, etc., on a variety of human rights themes to deepen their learning and understanding of various issues. The group meets twice a month for a year. In the second half of the year, students create service projects that they hope will positively impact their community. Projects in the first cohort focused on issues of housing, women’s health, human rights education for kids, literacy, and more. WYLP members also support Center programs and events throughout the year. The second cohort started in May 2024 and includes 32 students from local high schools. Several students from last year returned for a second round, so we are excited to see them step into leadership within the group this year. In 2024, WYLP is piloting an interesting partnership with the Kaleidoscope Project, a youth leadership and empowerment program based in Burkina Faso. The students have been connecting virtually to share learning and practices with each other. We are eager to see where this partnership may lead! If you are interested in participating in future WYLP cohorts, applications will open in Spring 2025. For more information, contact jess@wassmuthcenter.org or calley@wassmuthcenter.org. Share this post Facebook X LinkedIn
The Wassmuth Center Human Rights Education Fellowship
The Wassmuth Human Rights Education Fellowship Learn more about our Fellowship program for educators… Educators have been key partners in the work of the Center since its inception. In 2023, the Center created the Wassmuth Human Rights Education Fellowship program for educators (WHRE). This program is a yearlong opportunity for educators to come together to deepen their learning and support each other in creating joy, justice, and belonging in their learning environments. The first cohort of educators finished up in May 2024, and the second cohort started with a weeklong summer institute in June. A frequent request from educators is to build a collective that can learn from and support each other. So, in August of 2024, we will launch the RIPLE (Recharging and Inspiring Possibilities in Learning) Collective. RIPLE will allow previous WHRE fellows to connect with current fellows to build that community of human rights educators. We hope the “ripple effect” will go far (see what we did there?). If you are interested in joining a future cohort of the Fellowship, applications will reopen in Spring 2025. For more information, contact jess@wassmuthcenter.org Share this post Facebook X LinkedIn
Human Rights Education
Human Rights Education: What is it and why is it important? Learn more about why the Center’s primary mission is education. Welcome to our first blog on the new site! Please check back regularly for more posts. Based on the idea that human dignity is inherent to all people, the Wassmuth Center’s mission is “to promote human dignity and diversity through education and to foster individual responsibility to work for peace and justice.” What is human rights education and why is it important? First, let’s start with what it is. According to the UN Declaration on Human Rights Education in 2011, “human rights education is all learning that develops the knowledge, skills, and values of human rights. Education about human rights…education through human rights, and education for human rights.” Why is human rights education important? We hear the term “human rights” often, but actual “human rights literacy” is not widespread in the United States. Some students or researchers actively learn about human rights in a university or professional setting, but most people receive no education, formally or informally, about human rights. When Americans think about their “rights”, they are usually referring to civil and political rights defined in the US Bill of Rights, which includes freedom of assembly, freedom of worship, and the right to a fair trial. Few, however, realize that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UHDR) also addresses and guarantees social, economic, and cultural rights such as health care, housing, or a living wage. When people are not aware of their rights, it is easier to have them abused and not have the language or framework to advocate for their rights. There is a growing consensus around the world that human rights education is essential because it contributes to the building of free, just, and peaceful societies. The Wassmuth Center for Human Rights works to educate for a better tomorrow. Throughout the Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial and the Philip E. Batt Education Building, you will see a variety of quotes, images, and art that represent a breadth of perspectives, lived experiences and eras that invite us to reflect on what it means to be human and what kind of world we want to create with our words and actions. Share this post Facebook Twitter LinkedIn