Exploring the capacity of human rights based actions in cultivating intercultural values in the Irish primary school.

Abstract

As Ireland’s population continues to become more diverse, it is essential that we analyse the policies adopted to help encourage harmony in our society. This is especially pertinent for our schools which mirror this diversifying society. Interculturalism is a key theory adopted within Ireland to help encourage this harmony along with other positive societal values such as dialogue, equality and a celebration of diversity. Human rights education can be defined as children learning about and practicing the values associated with human rights. Knowledge of human rights issues and the implementation of human rights education in schools have long been associated with quality intercultural practice. This study reports the perspectives of 5 school leaders whose schools are examples of best practice in the areas of interculturalism and human rights based learning. These schools differ in terms of denomination, size and setting but share common qualities relating to both intercultural and human rights education. The school leaders give their opinions on the capacity of human rights based actions to help cultivate intercultural values within their respective school settings. They give biographical information on their own schools ‘journey’ to best practice in relation to interculturalism and human rights education with emphasis on action based initiatives. The implications of these views are critically analysed in relation to the relevant literature within the area. The school leaders’ views along with the relevant literature allow the author to conclude that human rights based actions have a strong part to play in the development of intercultural values within a school. Recommendations stemming from this research in an increased emphasis on action initiatives within the primary school, more continuous professional development within the areas of human rights and interculturalism for teachers and school leaders and greater scope to be included in the curriculum for the teaching of human rights and interculturalism.