How do you teach something as essential as human rights without it remaining purely theoretical?
That is the question guiding an initiative developed by CIS University in collaboration with its foundation, RFK Human Rights Spain, aimed at bringing human rights into the classroom in a practical, clear, and creative way.
Through the Speak Truth To Power program, a group of 27 educators from 13 schools across the Community of Madrid has taken part in a series of training sessions based on active methodologies and applied learning experiences. The participation of Fulbright educators has also added an international dimension to the exchange of ideas.
The sessions were coordinated by Anthony Verrecchio, Director of RFK Human Rights Spain and professor at CIS University, together with CIS University professor Alex Feldman and student Theo Svistunov. The involvement of a student in the coordination introduces a particularly meaningful element, reflecting a collaborative learning model in which students themselves play an active role in the educational process.
A Program Centered on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The program’s approach focused on translating the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights into practical tools for the classroom. Moving beyond purely theoretical frameworks, the sessions emphasized ready-to-use activities, participatory dynamics, and proposals designed to foster students’ critical thinking.
Key topics addressed included equality, health, well-being, and access to education, to ensure that participants not only understand these concepts but also develop their own projects applied to their educational environments.
High levels of participation, the quality of ideas, and a positive working atmosphere defined the sessions, creating a dynamic and collaborative learning space. Reflecting this spirit, the experience even included an unexpected musical moment, serving as a reminder that teaching human rights also involves sharing creativity and humanity.
Through initiatives like this, CIS University reinforces its commitment to an education that connects academic learning with today’s social challenges, promoting a model of learning grounded in values, action, and responsibility.