Amnesty International today officially launched a new education resource to inspire, inform and challenge young people to make their minds up about controversial human rights issues.
The resource called Human Rights in Focus has been made available for free to secondary schools across the UK and so far 3,150 (out of 5,050) have taken up the offer, representing 62% of all schools.

Amnesty International UK’s Director, Kate Allen said:

“The issue of human rights is a key part of citizenship, and we are delighted to see so many schools signing up – 62% represents a phenomenal response.

“Our hope is that, through the pack, we can spark a debate on global issues amongst Britain’s pupils.”
The new education resource includes three short films accompanied by ready-to-teach lessons – all of which look at topical human rights issues through activities and debate.
Among the topics are human trafficking, the repression of internet users and the right to a fair trial for Guantánamo Bay detainees.
This new lesson coincides with the start of Amnesty International’s Protect the Human week, when from 13 – 19 October, thousands of people across the UK are encouraged to take action to stand up for people whose rights are currently being denied.

Kate Allen continued:

“We hope that as many teachers and youth groups as possible use this resource between Protect the Human Week and UN Human Rights Day which falls on 10 December.”

Background
· The cutting-edge DVD is by Speak-it Films, the company behind the award-winning documentary Black Gold.
· The DVD is aimed at school pupils aged 14 to 19 years.
· Amnesty International is encouraging teachers to use the pack some time between 'Protect The Human Week' (13-19 Oct) and UN Human Rights Day (10 Dec).
· Thousands of young people in schools across the UK have taken part in Protect The Human Week in previous years, and this year Amnesty hopes even more will get involved.