A Report on the National Follow up Workshop on Human Rights and Peace Education for Teachers in Uganda

Abstract

Because of its proactive stance in the protection and promotion of human rights, the international community recognizes Human Rights and Peace Education as critical and as a result, provisions on human rights education have been incorporated in an array of international Human Rights instruments. Human Rights and Peace Education is expressly provided for in several International and Regional Human Rights Instruments most of which Uganda has signed and ratified. It is also provided for in the Uganda Constitution. The International and Regional Instruments include but not limited to; article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; article 13 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; article 29 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child; article 10 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination against Women; article 7 of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination; the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights and many others. The Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action also underlines the cardinal importance of human rights education a crucial, enduring and long-term contribution to preventing human rights abuses and an investment for achieving a just society. Human rights education is also an integral part of the right to education enshrined in the constitution of Uganda in article 30 and 34(2) Regarding peace, although the Constitution does not explicitly mention peace education, it addresses peace in general terms. The preamble to the constitution names peace as the second main principle for nation building and good governance. Paragraph III of the National Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy in the constitution makes a clear commitment to peace and to peaceful resolution of conflicts; it states that: All organs of State and people of Uganda shall work towards the promotion of national unity, peace and stability. Every effort shall be made to integrate all the peoples of Uganda while at the same time recognizing the existence of their ethnic, religious, ideological, political and cultural diversity. Everything shall be done to promote a culture of cooperation, understanding, appreciation, tolerance and respect for each other's customs, traditions and beliefs. There shall be established and nurtured institutions and procedures for the resolutions of conflicts fairly and peacefully. The State shall provide a peaceful, secure, stable political environment which is necessary for economic development.