Commission discusses human rights with students at Movilla High School

As part of its ongoing educational outreach the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has run a human rights workshop at Movilla High School.

The Commission spoke with 60 pupils in the Newtownards school about its work to promote and protect the human rights of everyone in Northern Ireland.

Lively discussions were had with the Year 11 group around the importance of human rights and how are applied in everyday life. The workshop was able to explore freedom of speech and expressing your opinions, and looked at how the Human Rights Act has been used to help those who’s human rights may have been violated.

Amy Brownlee, teacher of the OCN In Personal Success and Well-being, said:

“Human rights forms an important part of the students OCN module, and so it was very useful for Jason and Conor to come out to the school and speak to our Year 11s. Pupils learned about the work of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, and looked in detail at what human rights we have, where they come from, and how we can use them in our everyday lives. We look forward to having the Commission out again in the future.”

Chief Commissioner Alyson Kilpatrick added:

“We were delighted to come out to deliver a workshop to students at Movilla High School, in what was a really engaging session. It is vitally important that we get young people to understand and realise their rights, as well as allowing them the space to discuss and explore the topic. Our educational outreach allows us to fulfil our statutory function to promoting and raising awareness of human rights and our work. We wish the students all the best with the remainder of their studies at the school.

ENDS

Additional information

Photo: Pupils and staff from Movilla High School with representatives from the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.

Notes to Editors

1. The NI Human Rights Commission is a statutory public body established in 1999 to promote and protect human rights. In accordance with the Paris Principles the Commission reviews the adequacy and effectiveness of measures undertaken by the UK Government to promote and protect human rights, specifically within Northern Ireland.

2. Movilla High School is a controlled, co-educational high school in Newtownards.

3. The animation on the work of the Commission can be viewed here.

4. If you are interested in having the Commission speak to your post-primary students, please contact Michael.boyd@nihrc.org