Despite widespread public disappointment at the announcement that there would be no human rights act, the United Nations Youth Association is still chalking up Wednesday's promise of human rights education in the national curriculum as a win for those who campaign for increased awareness of human rights.
"When you come from such a low base, in terms of community awareness and explicit protections for human rights in Australia, any step towards a stronger human rights culture is a good thing" said Adam Pulford, UNYA Vice-President (Education) this afternoon. "Education is absolutely the key - and incorporating human rights into the national curriculum is a big step, both practically and symbolically".
"UNYA has campaigned for many years to introduce human rights into school curricula - with this announcement, human rights education has finally been accorded the priority it deserves" Mr Pulford said.
Approximately 60% of Australians believe, incorrectly, that Australia already has some kind of legislative scheme protecting human rights; a lack of formal and informal education about human rights is said by UNYA to contribute to a widespread lack of understanding, a failure to adequately protect human rights in Australia, the incapacity of individuals to access complaints mechanisms and a general absence of human rights concepts and principles in social and political dialogue.
The Government has promised $12 million towards human rights education initiatives, and will provide funding of $2 million over four years to non-government organisations for the development and delivery of community education and engagement programs to promote a greater understanding of human rights.
"UNYA's submission to the National Human Rights Consultation emphasised the importance of building a strong human rights culture in Australia, and that the best way to do that is through education. We look forward to seeing human rights seriously incorporated across the board, and will support the government to strengthen understanding of human rights and civic participation in Australia" Mr Pulford said.