YOUNG people all over Ireland are travelling, as guests of Trocaire, on a round-the-world trip where they are meeting people of different cultures and traditions. The world tour has come to primary and second-level students courtesy of Trocaire's new interactive Website which went on line on October 22nd.
For all the differences of geography, culture and language which divide Irish children from youngsters in Africa, Asia or Latin America, they share one over-riding feature - their common humanity. Development education itself has been described as a continuous journey.
Trocaire uses many methods in its education and campaigning work to bring the Irish people along the road to true commitment to human rights.
The agency's education focus has been a distinguishing feature ocaire for the past 25 years. Some 20 per cent of annual core income is devoted to education and campaign programmes in Ireland.
Our concern human rights, dignity, self-reliance and social justice is inspired by a vision of a just global society. Our commitment is reinforced by our daily exposure to people who are being denied basic human rights. In a speech to the International Confederation of Principals, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, referred to human rights education as the fourth "R", the fourth pillar of education, along with reading, writing and arithmetic.
She stated: "It stands alongside and is equal to more traditional subjects as a vital means of enabling children to enjoy opportunities and fulfil their potential."
A key aim of development education is to enable people to participate in the development of their community, their nation and the world as a whole. This is as relevant to a teenager in a Dublin suburb as a child in a Dhaka slum in Bangladesh.
The UN Declaration of Human Rights has been described by Mrs Robinson as "a living document written in the present tense and intended to be revisited and enriched by the insights of each generation." This is recognised by the teachers with whom Trocaire works to bring human rights into the lives of a young generation.
Over the years, Trocaire has conducted hundreds of workshops for thousands of teachers on issues of justice and development. Last year alone, workshops were held in 12 locations for up to 300 teachers.
Trocaire was also involved in devising the civic, social and political education (CPSE) initiative where a three-year module on human rights and responsibilities has been introduced into our schools. ocaire has an ongoing relationship with the Curriculum Development Unit of the City of Dublin VEC and we are currently working together on a human rights education programme.
Our education work in the classrooms compliments the campaigning work that Trocaire has conducted with the general public. Strategic alliances have been formed with other bodies in Ireland to promote solidarity with victims of human rights abuses.
Together, with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, we continue to campaign for a better deal for oppressed toy workers. We are also working with the Asylum Rights Alliance - a network of over 100 organisations - to seek a change in the law which would allow refugees in Ireland to work.
Trocaire also funds the work of solidarity groups who are raising awareness of issues affecting the developing world. Mutual support is essential in the cause of humanity.
Promoting and harnessing public concern for human rights has brought about change. The landmines story is an example.
As a member of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, which won the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize, Trocaire campaigned in Ireland for a ban on these horrific weapons which kill or maim a human being every 20 minutes.
That campaign was widely supported here and Ireland led the talks on banning landmines. In fact, Ireland was one of the first countries to ratify the treaty.
This treaty became a binding international law on September 17th. The speed of implementation is an example of people power - ordinary concerned citizens working across national borders to bring about change.
The richest country in the world is destitute if it does not respect the human rights of its people. As Pope John Paul II pointed out: "A type of development which does not respect and promote human rights is not really worthy of humankind."
Annette is co-ordinator of education and campaigns at Trocaire