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Education as a Human Right flyer

Flyer for Education is a Basic Human Rights event

application/pdf iconEDUCATION IS A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT.pdf

Education as a Human Right

Tuesday, April 23, 2013 - 7:00pm - 9:00pm

Dear Friends:

Contact Information: 

Scilla Wahrhaftig (412) 315 7423

Email: 
swahrhaftig@afsc.org

Photos: In and after school

In and after school

Myanmar (Burma)—Poor children who can’t afford state schools can get a basic education at schools started by Buddhist monasteries. To date, AFSC has helped train about 40 abbots in school management.
Baltimore—AFSC’s Miafere “Mia” Jones uses games, discussions, role-playing, and other activities to help youth in two after-school programs find common ground and peaceful resolution to conflict.
Haiti—With a goal of changing a culture of violence in schools into a culture of peace, AFSC works with the St. Charles Borromee School to train teachers in mediation and conflict transformation skills.
Atlanta—Music, school supplies, and guidance on how to nonviolently respond to challenges in the upcoming year were shared at a back-to-school party for K–12 students. AFSC’s work includes helping youth explore nonmilitary options for after high school.
Pittsburgh—Each year, high school students implement a project to create change in their community as part of their exploration of racial inequality and human rights. In 2011, they successfully petitioned Pittsburgh to declare itself a Human Rights City.
Los Angeles—Lincoln High School students asked AFSC to help create a Peace Garden at their school. Due to budget cuts, they’d lost most opportunities to learn outside the classroom while their class sizes doubled. (Learn more in Quaker Action this fall.)
St. Louis—AFSC’s new peace education program starts its work this fall, led by native son Joshua Saleem. He says that youth face limited resources and violence, but their resiliency and a culture of family in schools are strengths on which AFSC can build.
Kayford, W.Va.—Students from neighboring Maryland visited mountaintop removal sites during a service trip that included community gardening and flood cleanup. Both of AFSC’s West Virginia programs gave lessons on economic justice in the state.

Click photo to view slideshow.

Images available on Flickr

A vegetable garden in East Los Angeles, a basketball court on the outskirts of Port au Prince, an outdoor classroom under the Myanmar sun—these are just a few of the places where school children are practicing peace and advocating for justice.

Many are preparing to mark the beginning of a new year of learning. Watch this slide show (left) to learn about some of the communities where AFSC works with youth in and after school. 

Educating Burma’s children

Myanmar monastic school children

New teaching techniques encourage students to ask questions and think critically about what they are learning.

See more pictures from our work in Myanmar.

As poverty in Myanmar (Burma) deepens, Buddhist monasteries have started schools to provide basic education and care for the increasing number of poor children who cannot afford to attend state schools.  These schools accept students of both sexes and of all ethnicities and religions, and use the standard state curriculum.  The monks and nuns leading these schools see education as vital to the future of their country.  The state spends less than 2% of gross domestic product on health and education, leading to a serious deterioration in the country’s future prospects.

Students notch another win over militarism in CA

san fran youth at school board

Student speaks at the Oakland School Board meeting

Student speaks at the Oakland School Board meeting where the first JAMSRS resolution was adopted.

California youth win again over militarism.

In Defense of Public Education: Fund Schools, Not War!

Saturday, May 22, 2010 - 10:00am - 11:30am

Responding to the closing of schools and slashing of school budgets across the country, this forum will examine our nations our spending priorities and commitment to education.

Panel members will discuss: federal, state and local spending on education versus spending on military programs; the crisis in education; violence in schools and in the world; solutions and models for change; and actions we can take.

Speakers will include:

Contact Information: 

This forum is sponsored by the American Friends Service Committeeand the Institute for Labor Studies, UMKC.

For more information call 816 931-5256

Email: 
afsckc@afsc.org

Youth Outreach

The Peace Education Program works with youth in Los Angeles area schools to reduce violence and create a culture of peace. Through intensive workshops and classes, the program:

Mozambique - Let the People Speak!

Since 2001, AFSC's Mozambique Integrated Rural Development Program(MIRD) has worked in partnership with three communities located in Manica Province. In Denglelenga, Dororo and Chitunga, AFSC has developed projects that include reforestation, fish ponds, community gardens and school construction. Throughout this time, the MIRD program has been committed to following three basic steps:

Get an Education

After School and Out of School Programs

These programs provide places for youth to learn, have fun, and/or get help with school and employment. Some programs focus on art or athletics, while others provide tutoring, homework help, or job counseling.

3 Rivers Computer Clubhouse
Creative after-school learning opportunities in photography, fashion design, graphic design, journalism, music and video production, lego robotics, web podcasting, web design and more. Helps members explore professional jobs and academic opportunities. www.3rcc.org

Who we are

AFSC is a Quaker organization devoted to service, development, and peace programs throughout the world. Our work is based on the belief in the worth of every person, and faith in the power of love to overcome violence and injustice. Learn more

Where we work

AFSC has office around the world. To see a complete list see the Where We Work page.

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