Teaching Respect for All, anti-racism curricula

Can respect for all be taught?

A new mapping study has collected policies, practices and materials dealing with teaching respect from all over the world.

The study identifies good practices to develop learners’ knowledge and understanding of other cultures and peoples; exercises to develop empathy, self-confidence, openness to new experiences and flexibility in behavior.

All these abilities help counter hatred, prejudice, stereotyping, discrimination and bullying.

Commissioned as part of the UNESCO-USA-Brazil project Teaching Respect for All and carried out in cooperation with the Centre of Human Rights Education, Lucerne, Switzerland, the study also makes recommendations in terms of content, methodology, usability and process for the future development of education materials against racism, discrimination and intolerance.

For example, it recommends pedagogy which encourages students to apply what they have recently studied at school and community level so as to ensure a sustainable learning experience.

Launched on 18 January 2012, the UNESCO-USA-Brazil project Teaching Respect for All aims to design a curricular framework to fight racism and promote tolerance, which countries can adapt to their respective contexts and needs. The project will also elaborate educational materials for addressing racism and tolerance in education. These tools will build on lessons learned and current good practices in the field. The materials will be disseminated worldwide by UNESCO through education ministries as well as the Organization’s extensive networks, including the UNESCO Associated Schools.

Teaching Respect for All aims to promote educational responses to counter discrimination and violence through strengthening the foundations of mutual tolerance, and cultivating respect for all people, regardless of color, gender or national, ethnic or religious identity. The results of the study are now available online in English and French.

UNESCO is concerned by the rise of racism, xenophobia and intolerance, and considers that education is essential to strengthening the foundations of tolerance, reducing discrimination and violence, and learning to live together.

Education is vital to achieve these aims and cultivate respect for all people regardless of colour, gender, or national, ethnic or religious identity. It is especially important to reach out to children and young people during their formative years, notably through educational materials and curricula.

The advisory group for the project met for a second time from 29 October to 1 November 2012 in Brasilia, Brazil. Jointly organized by UNESCO, the Secretariat on Policies of Promotion of Racial Equality (SEPPIR), Ministry of Education and Ministry of External Relations of Brazil, the meeting allowed international experts to discuss the major components of the project such as the policy guidelines and teaching materials that have now been drafted by specialists and how to implement pilot testing with interested countries and partners.

On this occasion, the experts, representatives of the national and municipal authorities, NGOs as well as teachers and educators in Brazil shared their experiences and suggestions.

Recommendations included the promotion of cooperation with higher education institutions for research, data collection and training for policymakers, and the involvement of family members in educational activities so that schools can be a bridge between generations.