This International Human Rights Day, Think Centre calls for Citizenship education to be formalised in the curriculum. This Dec 10, International Human Rights Day, are you ready to speak up?
| Citizenship education focuses on knowledge, skills and attitudes a citizen requires for living in a democratic society. To be effective Citizenship education needs a practice-oriented approach so that each person has the capacity to put into practice democratic values, attitudes and behaviours in daily life - home, work and community. |
This International Human Rights Day, Think Centre calls for Citizenship education to be formalised in the curriculum. Citizenship education in primary, secondary, junior college and university should become a priority for Singaporeans to become more respectful and treat each other as equal. Citizenship education should be incorporated to promote active citizen participation that is in line with globalization and respect for human rights.
Citizenship education should anchor all children in Singapore with core values to contribute positively in a globalized world.
Singapore has ratified the UN Convention on Child Rights[CRC] and UN Convention on Elimination of Discrimination Against Women [CEDAW] but children, youth, young adults and women are not aware of human rights principles and constitutional rights.
The government, is slowly opening civil society space and freedoms but without knowledge of human rights principles and constitutional rights the residents are silent with fear and ignorance.
Public opinion has become a key factor influencing governmental policies and actions. The involvement of civil society and the private sector, as well as resident committees, grassroots groups and members of Parliament [MP] ensures that the government is more attuned and responsive to citizens' concerns.
Think Centre encourages gradually opening with more space for dialogue, meetings, workshops, focus groups, peaceful public gatherings and interactive websites. But more importantly, citizenship education should be formally incorporated to better empower the younger citizenry with courage to speak up.
Citizenship education will strengthen respect, protection and fulfillment, of human rights and international rule of law, pathing the way towards overcoming the threat of terrorism in Singapore.
This is the best preventive measure any country could implement to stop all forms of terror and violation of human rights. Therefore, domestic laws should NOT subverted fundamental human rights or infringe on civil liberties. Such infridgements will open the door for terror to destroy peace and human development!
This Dec 10, International Human Rights Day, are you ready to speak up?
Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace" [UDHR, Art. 26.2]
"Human rights are the foundation of human existence ... Human rights are universal, indivisible and interdependent ... Human rights are what make us human. They are the principles by which we create the sacred home for human dignity ... It is the universality of human rights that gives them their strength. It endows them with the power to cross any border, climb any wall, defy any force." [Kofi Annan, UN Secretary-General, 1997]
Sources and Relevant Links:
Think Centre Singapore: Constitutional Rights
Think Centre
Citizenship Education - You Have The Right!
2001
Human Rights and the PAP Practice in Singapore
2001
Think Centre
Commemorating Human Rights Day in Singapore For the First Time 2000
Response to Police Investigation of IHRD gathering
2000
Think Centre's Response 2000
Speaker's Corner Debate in Parliament 2000
Think Centre HR Day forum: Know Your Rights 2001
Think Centre HR Day December 10: Promote Life-Long Human Rights Education 2002
Think Centre Celebrating Human Right's Day 2003
Think Centre
Human Rights Day Forum 2003
J.B.Jeyaretnam: Defender of Human Rights
2003
S'pore's Jeyaretnam honoured with first human rights award 2003
UN HCHR The International Bill of Human Rights consists of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and its two Optional Protocols.
