Thailand: Human Rights Education
Thailand: Human Rights Education SAVITRI SUWANSATHIT hailand is undergoing simultaneous reforms in various aspects of its national life—politics, law, economics, the government system, and education. New Tideas are being discussed in line with the need to bring the country’s economy back to health and to implement the provisions of the 1997 Constitution. Education in general and human rights edu- principle in promoting and recognizing indi- cation in particular play a crucial role in the vidual rights and freedom. The abolition of sla- process of societal reform. very during the reign of King Chulalongkorn Human rights education is defined in the (1868-1910) was a recognition of human draft National Plan of Action for Human equality and dignity in Thai society. However, Rights Education as follows: learning human rights through the general education system had not been properly sys- The process of learning, searching, and tematized. Human rights was learned through taking action, in order to develop the knowl- ordinary, daily interactions, without any par- edge, understanding, awareness, values, atti- ticular form and covering all fields. tudes, skills, personalities, behavior, and stan- Thailand became a member of the United dards, or norms, in practicing human rights Nations (UN) soon after the World War II, and which will result in peaceful coexistence, en- voted to adopt the Universal Declaration of abling people to live together with common Human Rights in 1948. Although the decla- understanding and common courtesy, with ration was not legally binding, the government unity, dignity, responsibility, equality, friend- incorporated human rights principles in the ship, and acting towards each other as fellow Constitution and in many important national human beings, with mutual respect for each laws.
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