The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) 7 (Central Visayas) has signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Talisay City College (TCC) to create a Center for Human Rights Education (CHRE) in the city.
In a news release yesterday, the CHR noted that the center aims to integrate human rights education in academic institutions to produce a generation of conscientious and well-informed professionals.
“We would like to see products of higher educational institutions (HEIs) who are aware and have a certain level of awareness on human rights,” CHR-7 Legal Division chief Euvic Ferrer said.
“Therefore, when they’re employed, when they become business leaders themselves, or become leaders in certain fields, they come into that kind of leadership with already an awareness of how they should deal with other people in the context or in the perspective of human rights.”
The CHRE aims to create a “safe space for learners” in HEIs where the rights of women, vulnerable groups, and marginalized students are protected.
Its responsibilities include organizing volunteers, conducting training and accreditation with the regional CHR, developing and implementing human rights education programs, enhancing such programs through research and special studies, and providing assistance in the establishment and capacity-building of Barangay Human Rights Action Centers within its jurisdiction.
CHR-7 Director Arvin Odron said protecting human rights is the government’s obligation.
Hence, the commission is looking for more HEI partners in Central Visayas, he said.
Apart from TCC, the University of the Visayas, University of Cebu, and University of the Philippines Cebu have partnered with the CHR for the CHRE.
“We have been looking for government institutions being the primary protector of human rights and we’ve been looking for partners in Negros Oriental, Siquijor, and Bohol,” Odron said.
The University of San Carlos has expressed interest in collaborating with the CHR to establish a human rights center in their campus, he added.
Meanwhile, TCC president, Dr. Richel Bacaltos, said tertiary institutions “often prioritize industry demands, which are pragmatic but may overshadow the higher purpose of education.”
“Lest we be reminded that our mission as a learning institution extends beyond merely producing skilled employees, we must also cultivate values of equalities, respect, and justice in all social avenues and, more importantly, in our future generations,” Bacaltos said.
The MOA signed on Feb. 20 mandates the CHR and the TCC to collaborate on the CHRE’s establishment, development, strengthening, and sustained operation within the campus.
It must be easily accessible with a designated center director or coordinator, and a secretariat to oversee its operations. (PNA)