Addressing Human Rights Education Through Music
Human rights education is a crucial aspect of fostering a responsible and engaged society. However, traditional methods often fail to fully engage young people. Recognizing this gap, a consortium of five partners from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Italy, Portugal, and Germany collaborated on a unique project that merges music with human rights education.
About the Project
The Educational Music Tools to Promote Human Rights Among Young People project was launched under the Erasmus+ Programme, receiving a grant of €136,641.50. Running from September 2020 to January 2023, the project aimed to develop innovative tools that enhance youth engagement with human rights issues through music.
Over six years of collaboration, the consortium identified the need for creative methods to educate young people about human rights. By integrating music into non-formal education, the project sought to improve awareness, media literacy, critical thinking, and active citizenship among young individuals.
Objectives and Goals
The primary objective was to equip youth workers with innovative tools for educating young people about human rights (HRs). The project sought to:
- Provide sustainable, long-term support for youth workers in HRs education.
- Promote critical thinking and active citizenship.
- Enhance creative expression through music.
- Support EU and government initiatives in human rights education.
By leveraging music, the project made human rights topics more accessible and engaging for young audiences.
Implementation and Activities
The project involved five Transnational Project Meetings (TPMs), each held in one of the partner countries. These meetings focused on time management, content development, monitoring, budget control, and planning activities. The meetings were essential for refining the project’s content to meet the needs of different local target groups.
Additionally, five Multiplier Events were organized in each participating country. These events introduced the project’s results to youth workers, educators, NGOs, and other stakeholders. The collaboration between human rights educators and musicians ensured a balanced and effective approach.
Key Outputs and Resources
The project successfully developed two main intellectual outputs, catering to different age groups:
- Toolbox for Youngsters (Ages 10-15):
- A methodological toolkit focusing on the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).
- A music album with 10 songs addressing children’s rights.
- Non-formal education (NFE) methods designed for each song.
- Toolbox for Youth (Ages 15-30):
- A toolkit based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
- A music album with 10 songs covering various human rights issues.
- Methods designed to integrate music into human rights education.
Additional resources included:
- Project Web Page: A digital platform where all project materials can be downloaded. Access here.
- Printed Booklet: A 134-page book with 500 printed copies, accompanied by a USB stick containing the project’s methods and music albums.
Lasting Impact
By combining music with human rights education, this project has opened new doors for youth engagement. The resources developed continue to support educators and youth workers across Europe, ensuring that young people gain a deeper understanding of their rights through an innovative and enjoyable medium.
Get Involved!
If you are a youth worker, educator, or simply passionate about human rights education, explore the project’s tools and music. Visit the official website: musicforhumanrights.eu and start making a difference today!
