WO
• We need to promote human rights education • Current ideas about ‘rights’ will mean the Bill
among young people, disadvantaged groups of Rights debate is politically loaded.
and the general public, teaching people • There is a risk that the debate on the Bill of R
what their rights are and how to claim them. Rights will be used as a vehicle to steer us
K
Delegates highlighted the role of children as
in unwelcome directions, even eroding our
S
existing rights.
H
educators.
O
• The responsibility to be an active citizen
Opportunities:
and participate in the debate is not always
P
• To examine potential improvements to be

possible. There are particular groups and
made in human rights protection mechanisms.
S
E
individuals who cannot engage without being
• A potent and inspirational vision of human S
supported to do so.
rights in the UK could be created.
S
• T he devolved Welsh Assembly was highlighted
I
• To have a real debate, canvass opinion, and
O
as an example of using strong leadership
involve the whole population. N
without legislating. Delegates discussed the
• To examine economic, social and cultural
S
Assembly as a model of how to begin to
rights and their relevance. For example, what
spread power, initiate discussion and make
is the relevance of the right to work in the
decisions using different ways of engaging
current economic climate?
people.
• T o create a clear and consistent understanding of
what rights are and how they relate to all of us.
What opportunities and challenges are
presented by current debates on a Bill of Rights
Recommendations
to engage in such a reframing process?
• Examine the issue of ‘responsibilities’ in a
separate document to the proposed Bill of
Challenges:
Rights. Where the two concepts are used
• Delegates were not convinced that a Bill of
together, ensure that rights are not presented
Rights would add value to existing human
as being contingent on responsibilities.
rights frameworks. There is a danger that any
• Commit resources to educating people about
new Bill of Rights will be a ‘pick and mix’ bag their rights. This could include increased funding
rather than a truly universal document – after for community development programmes,
all, we already have a Bill of Rights in the form especially ‘action research’
6
, and funding a
of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. programme of consultation and involvement.
6 ‘Action research’ refers to a reflective process of problem-solving in which researchers work alongside practitioners or community members –
the research is done with participants rather than on participants.
19
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