Launch of Human Rights Education: Reflections on Theory and Practice

The launch of Human Rights Education: Reflections on Theory and Practice, edited by Dr Fionnuala Waldron and Brian Ruane, St Patrick’s College and featuring contributions from other St Patrick's College staff, took place on Monday 23rd May.  Dr Colm Ó Cuanacháin, Senior Campaigns Director with Amnesty International Secretariat officially launched the book and in his speech reflected on the nature and importance of human rights education nationally and internationally.  Drawing on his own experience as a primary school principal, Dr Ó Cuanacháin noted the transformative potential of human rights education, and its positive impact on students and on the practice of education within the school. In this context he complemented the editors and authors of the book for highlighting the importance of such issues, and producing an informative and highly readable text.  It was noted that on the day when President Obama lauded Ireland for punching above its weight in advocating for human rights internationally, the launch of the book marked the significance of the efforts of the leadership and staff of St Patrick’s College in promoting human rights education in Ireland and further a field. Brian Ruane remarked that the book not only contained important chapters by significant theorists in the field of HRE but also reflected the important contribution made by staff of the college in both teaching and research in this area.  Dr Fionnuala Waldron, Dean of Education and Chair of Centre for Human Rights and Citizenship Education (CHRCE) at St. Patrick's College noted the contribution made by authors and reviewed the achievements to date of the CHRCE.

Contributors to the book include: Anne Marie Kavanagh, Catherine Maunsell, Paula Murphy, Maurice O'Reilly, Susan Pike, Anita Prunty (all St Patrick’s College), James A. Banks (University of Washington, Seattle), Peter Kirschlaeger (PHZ Lucerne), Hugh Starkey (Institute of Education, London) and Fintan McCutcheon (Graduate of Ed. D programme, St. Patrick’s College).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last Updated: Friday May 27 2011