Consumer right and human right education Essay Example
Consumer right and human right education Essay Example

Consumer right and human right education Essay Example

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  • Pages: 8 (2199 words)
  • Published: September 10, 2017
  • Type: Research Paper
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Consumers have a significant impact on various aspects of life in the twenty-first century, including the economy and politics. Their consumption patterns greatly influence society and the labor market within the economic system. Thus, it is crucial to make informed consumer choices that match one's own circumstances and comprehend their effects. Informed consumers can opt for sustainability, give priority to health factors, and take into account the wider economic, social, and political impacts of their actions.

A five-day meeting has taken place at the Center for Democratic Studies in La Catalina, Costa Rica. Educators, activists, and scholars from all over the world have gathered to discuss and analyze the fundamental principles of human rights education. During this time, we have explored various experiences and approaches to educational issues related to society, democracy, cultural diversity, gender pers

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pectives, narratives of power and oppression, as well as paths to liberation. We have also examined programs, declarations, and action plans proposed by the United Nations for the Decade for Human Rights Education. Through open and diverse discussions on these topics, we have reached a consensus on what should be included in a pedagogy of human rights education. Our reflections are based on assessing different societal contexts where learning occurs and understanding the challenges these contexts present for human rights education.

The reason for conducting this preliminary analysis is based on the belief that pedagogies for human rights instruction should strive to transform unfair systems, as stated in Article 28 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in order to achieve societal and global harmony. We value an inclusive discussion and welcome input from all interested parties. It is important to acknowledg

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that the content and methods used in human rights education are closely connected to issues such as underdevelopment, patriarchy, militarism, and the prioritization of wealth accumulation by certain individuals, corporations, and nations at the expense of meeting global needs. While both the human rights movement and education play a crucial role in addressing these threats to human survival and security, they alone cannot provide a comprehensive solution. The international community has recognized the link between this context and human rights through recent declarations. The Declaration adopted at the World Conference on Human Rights held in Vienna in June 1993 acknowledged the necessity for strategies developed by the international community to overcome current challenges and fully realize all human rights.The text highlights the importance of incorporating peace, democracy, development, and societal justice into human rights education while affirming the undeniable nature of human rights. Both the Vienna Declaration and the Declaration and Platform of Action of the Fourth World Conference on Women stress that governments and the United Nations must prioritize ensuring women's complete and equal enjoyment of human rights. In 1986, the UN adopted the Declaration on the Right to Development which recognizes individuals' role in development and urges states to address obstacles stemming from violations of civil and political rights as well as economic, social, and cultural rights. Additionally, declarations and action plans during the UN Decade for Human Rights Education delve further into how educational methods are interconnected with their broader context to comprehend barriers to human rights education.

The ability to effectively obtain human rights may be either enhanced or hindered by major establishments operating within a state province or on an international

level. In order for human rights education to be comprehensive and relevant, it is crucial to critically examine the complex issues surrounding development. Although South states, individually and collectively, assert the "right to development" through their governments, citizens are entitled to question the meaning of development and who ultimately benefits from it. It is important to scrutinize how international and national development programs and activities impact the rights of various sectors and groups within society, as well as explore alternative visions and strategies that can meaningfully incorporate human rights aspirations. Human rights education involves critically reflecting on the historical processes that have obstructed the realization of human rights, analyzing and understanding the underlying social and economic structures and forces causing these barriers in both the government and civil society, and identifying specific organizations and societal entities that can help remove these obstacles through social change and transformation. One of the goals of human rights education is to actively engage individuals and communities in confronting these barriers through dialogue and activism.

Human rights education encompasses more than just teaching about the content and mechanisms of international human rights instruments. It also involves nurturing humans' innate desire to fight for the rights of all individuals. To fully achieve human rights, education should include an analysis of power dynamics and societal forces, empowering individuals to challenge and change those power dynamics that hinder the attainment of human rights. This battle includes advocating for fair resource distribution, equal access to knowledge, control over land and indigenous cultures, safe working conditions in employment opportunities, demilitarization efforts, elimination of weapons of mass destruction and landmines, reduction in arms trade, as well as

economic self-determination for communities, nations, and other groups.

Human rights education in the current global and national political-economic system should prioritize addressing barriers embedded in systemic procedures, including the urgent need to globalize the world economic system. Despite claims of commitment from the international community, this globalization hinders efforts towards sustainable and people-centered development. The problem is significant because it marginalizes vulnerable individuals in both poor countries and industrialized nations, while also negatively impacting the majority. In former socialist states of East Central Europe, pressure from globalization distorts the popular desire for a government based on human rights and democratic governance by promoting adoption of a materialistic ideology and abandonment of social programs.

The human rights field is influenced by various factors such as globalization, multinational corporations, intergovernmental fiscal establishments, many-sided development and trade bureaus, along with numerous other establishments and networks within the international economic system.

In the past, human rights performance assessment has mainly concentrated on provincial and governmental entities, disregarding multinational corporations. Nevertheless, given that multinational corporations control 70% of global trade, it is essential to hold them accountable for their actions regarding human rights. To achieve this goal, human rights education should offer chances to thoroughly analyze the roles played by multinational corporations in both global and national contexts, along with agencies and international financial institutions such as the IMF and World Bank.

When implementing structural adjustments, international institutions such as the IMF or World Bank may result in increased marginalization and inequality for poor populations in developing countries. It is crucial to hold these multinational actors accountable for their human rights abuses. If these adjustments involve educational reforms that limit access to basic education,

thereby preventing the state from fulfilling its obligations under international human rights agreements like the Convention on the Rights of the Child, then these institutions are defying United Nations-established human rights standards.

These situations have significant implications for human rights education as they undermine the objectives of the UN Decade for Human Rights Education. Consequently, teaching human rights requires a critical analysis of how UN agencies, international organizations, and multinational corporations either uphold or violate human rights by drawing insights from social movement experiences.

To ensure accountability for assistance and development bureaus as well as multinational corporations whose development programs undermine individuals' and groups' rights, it is essential that the High Commissioner for Human Rights monitors their actions and evaluates their impact on the goals of the Decade.

Structural adjustment programs enforced by Bretton Woods institutions are eroding economic self-governance in Southern and former Communist Party nations.Furthermore, these programs are putting at risk different economic, societal, and cultural rights including education, healthcare, food security, and housing.

The passage discusses how powerful entities, including multinational corporations, G-7 authorities, and international finance, development, and trade organizations, negatively impact the economic and social progress of the South. This leads to violations of human rights, exploitation of workers and natural resources, and exclusion of citizens from politics. Consequently, a few monopolies dominate finance, trade, technology, and intellectual property without prioritizing inclusive and human-centered development for all individuals and communities. Educators must grasp these dynamics and ensure institutions are held accountable to promote human rights education. Moreover, denying economic self-determination and perpetuating gender subordination further obstruct advancements in human rights education.

The obstructions themselves violate human rights and contribute to such violations. Human rights education

should aim to expose these obstacles and the underlying forces behind them, empower the fight for complete realization of human rights, and condemn those who commit abuses without facing consequences.

People's demands for economic justice are part of their effort to freely determine their political stance and engage in economic, social, and cultural development, as stated in Article 1 of the two International Covenants on Human Rights. Economic self-determination is often misused by national security and other entities, as well as taken over by military-industrial complexes that militarize it, resulting in armed conflicts where significant human rights violations occur without repercussions.

Another crucial aspect of self-determination in human rights education involves indigenous peoples' struggle to develop based on their own values and priorities. Thus, the right to self-organization is a vital element of the right to self-determination.

Human rights education should prioritize two main areas: corporate violations of rights and the challenges individuals encounter. However, in South and East Central Europe, governments driven by an unquestioning commitment to the market economic system exploit and distort marginalized people's efforts for democratization, thereby undermining their economic empowerment. The patriarchal structure of society continues to hinder progress in human rights as it perpetuates power imbalances and authoritarian dynamics that enable various forms of control and oppression.

The goal of achieving true equality for women and girls, as well as eradicating discrimination and violation of their human rights, is crucial for the liberation and empowerment of all individuals and societal groups. State institutions, including non-participatory state structures at local levels, are often correctly identified as significant sources of human rights violations. Non-democratic practices within civil society, such as politicizing and mobilizing cultural relationships,

also contribute to creating conditions that lead to the violation of basic human rights. Moreover, it is important to recognize that dominant economic and social forces within civil society frequently commit human rights violations, particularly when it comes to the rights of women, children, exploited individuals in relation to land, forests, water, and employment.

Development projects often receive support from provincial setups, including their anti-poor judicial systems. This issue is not limited to the Third World; it also exists in industrialized Western countries. Human rights education plays a crucial role in advocating for social change and implementing human rights. By fostering critical and creative analysis of discourse and power structures, it provides a flexible platform that can adapt to various communities and contexts without imposing a specific action plan. Consequently, human rights education and the pursuit of social change are closely linked as they both aim to empower individuals and promote justice.

However, it is important to recognize that the presence of dialectics in this situation should not lead to the rejection or disregard of the indivisibility, inalienability, and universality of human rights. States must comply with their obligations under international human rights law for these dialectics to be effective. Human rights education plays a crucial role in helping students grasp the structure of injustice and equips them with tools needed to survive, resist, and drive change through political, cultural, economic, and social responses when human rights are violated. Moreover, by revealing the origins and limitations of power dynamics and fostering personal commitment and social responsibility, human rights education enables alternative interpretations of cultural products while facilitating the formation of histories and cultures that have been suppressed

or nonexistent before. Additionally, it supports alternative political arrangements, financial permutations, and social agreements that empower individuals within oppressive systems. Finally yet importantly,it encourages viewing education as a form of engagement and engagement as a form of education.Teaching methodology entails a structured approach to learning where students develop cognitively, experientially,and emotionally through interactions with facilitators.In human rights education,the goal is to raise awarenessand enhance the abilityto promote humanrights objectives.

The aim of education, as stated in human rights norms such as the Universal Declaration, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the Vienna Declaration and Plan of Action, is to fully develop individuals' personalities and potential. This can be achieved by fostering students' creative and analytical construction of knowledge while also helping them challenge flawed knowledge related to their own societal and historical contexts. Facilitators play a crucial role in guiding students through this process using critical, reflective, and moral perspectives. Education is an ongoing journey where individuals alternate between being both learners themselves and facilitators of learning. It is important for the learning process to consider various factors such as historical, social, psychological, cultural, gender-related linguistic backgrounds of learners. We propose a transformative teaching method that acknowledges prevailing human rights violations and obstacles to change. This approach contrasts with a reproducing teaching method that may perpetuate hierarchies, abuse, and exclusion. Formal instruction takes place in different educational institutions including schools universities vocational schools professional schools among others.

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