The Importance of Human Rights Education in The Gambia

Marie Antoinette Corr discusses the importance of this Human Rights Education competition for schools at the launch of the competition on the 8th December 2021.


Background


The Gambia is the smallest country on continental Africa with a population of roughly 2.4 Million. The Gambia Teachers Union (GTU) is the only teacher union in The Gambia. 


The GTU and The Steve Sinnott Foundation (SSF) linked up in 2017 and have since established a very strong bond and Partnership. A series of activities have been funded by SSF including supporting the Sierra Leone Teachers Union (SLTU) to train teachers on the making of reusable sanitary pads and equality and gender-based violence issues.


National Education Union (NEU) and GTU also have a long standing partnership. Since Samidha Garg and Andy Woolley visited the Gambia and conducted leadership training for teachers. I have also been privileged to attend a series of NEU Conferences before the COVID 19 Pandemic struck.



Why GTU co-launched the competition 


We believe young people should be at the forefront of global change and innovation. When empowered they can be key agents for development and peace. The ultimate goal of human rights education is people working together to bring about human rights in society, human rights justice and dignity for all. This is an opportunity we did not want to miss. That is why we agreed to co-launch the competition.


We want to ensure that all young people have every opportunity to participate fully in the positive development of their societies.



The state of human rights education in The Gambia


This competition comes at a very opportune time for us. The National Human Rights Commission with support from the British High Commission is currently reviewing the Basic Cycle and Senior Secondary School Curricula to identify entry points for the integration of human rights education into the basic and secondary school education levels, in order to nurture human rights values in children. The Gambia Teachers Union has been invited to be on this committee, and we see this as a very welcome move. 



Putting The Gambia back on the human rights map


Gambia was once a human rights haven, but after 22 years of dictatorship authoritarian rule by Yahya Jammeh, the nation was beset by arbitrary arrests, torture and other human rights violations. The nation is aggrieved and wants positive change. However a lot of violence was experienced during the recently concluded presidential election. 


Human rights in the region needs support. Nigeria has witnessed an increase in human rights violations such as unlawful killings, forced disappearances and torture by both government and non-state actors. The Chibok girls kidnapping is an example.


African governments across the continent need to accelerate efforts and provide adequate funding to ensure that all children have human rights education. Human rights education is one of the answers to our current problems. We want to make The Gambia a human rights haven once again.



Get involved


If you want to get involved in our Human Rights Competition for schools, you can sign up on our website.


Marie Antoinette Corr GS, GTU • February 9, 2022

UNESCO ASPnet UK schools on the theme of peace was presented to Pope Leo XIV at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris

By Ann Beatty • September 25, 2026
A moment to be proud of and a reminder of why young people’s voices matter. Today, artwork created by students from UNESCO ASPnet UK schools on the theme of peace was presented to Pope Leo XIV at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, alongside artwork from young people in other countries. What an amazing opportunity for our students to have their creativity, ideas and hopes represented on an international stage. For me, this is what UNESCO ASPnet is about: creating opportunities for young people to connect across cultures, express themselves creatively, learn from one another and imagine a better future together. The power of young people’s creativity: their voices being part of an international conversation about education, peace, culture and our shared future. UNESCO’s programme for Pope Leo XIV’s visit specifically focused on education, artistic creation, AI, information integrity and peace. The work was part of a mural that brings together 80 original creations marking UNESCO’s 80th anniversary, produced as part of the "International Youth for Peace" competition organized by France TV and UNESCO.

Change Starts with a Will: Leave a Legacy That Helps Transform Education

September 7, 2026
Most of us want to leave the world a little better than we found it. Whether that's through the people we love, the values we pass on, or the causes we care about, we all hope our legacy will make a difference. One of the simplest ways to do that is by writing a will. This autumn, we are proud to be taking part in the Change Starts with a Will campaign, allowing our supporters to write or update their will free of charge through our trusted partner, Octopus Legacy. Why writing a will matters Writing a will isn't just about deciding who inherits your possessions. It's about making sure your wishes are respected and providing peace of mind for the people you care about. Having a will means you can: Protect the people you love. Make important decisions about your estate. Reduce uncertainty for your family. Leave a lasting gift to a cause that reflects your values. Many people put off writing a will, believing it's something to think about later in life. In reality, it's one of the most important documents you'll ever create. A legacy that supports education Steve Sinnott dedicated his life to championing education as a fundamental human right. His belief was simple but powerful: every child deserves the opportunity to learn, and every teacher deserves the support they need to inspire future generations. Today, we continue that mission by working with partners across the world to improve access to quality education, strengthen teaching and support communities where education can change lives. When you choose to leave a gift in your will to The Steve Sinnott Foundation, you're helping ensure that this work can continue for years to come. After taking care of family and friends, even a small gift could help provide learning opportunities, strengthen education systems and create brighter futures for generations to come. A gift that lasts beyond a lifetime Legacy gifts play an important role in helping charities plan for the future. Your support could help us continue investing in sustainable education projects, supporting teachers and ensuring more children have access to the education they deserve. It's a powerful way to ensure your values live on long into the future. Write your will for free As part of our Autumn 2026 campaign, we're offering supporters the opportunity to write or update their will free of charge through Octopus Legacy. There is no obligation to leave a gift to The Steve Sinnott Foundation, but we hope you'll consider remembering us after you've taken care of those closest to you. Together, we can continue Steve Sinnott's vision of a world where education changes lives. Find out more If you've been thinking about writing your will, there's never been a better time. Our free will service is available until 31 October 2026 , making it easy to protect the people you love while considering the lasting impact your legacy could have on education worldwide.  https://octopuslegacy.com/online-will?channel=partner Change starts with a will. And together, we can help create a future where education is accessible to everyone.

What happens when creativity, young people, education and community come together?

By Ann Beatty • August 25, 2026
Seeds of Hope are everywhere! “I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I arrived at Stage at the Lake…” But it was special to meet all of the Calderdale team in person, who had brought this four-day event together so successfully. Sometimes an event stays with you long after the final performance has finished. My visit to Stage at the Lake at the beautiful Shibden Hall in Calderdale was one of those occasions. As UNESCO ASPnet UK Coordinator, I was delighted to be invited as a guest, but what I experienced was much more than simply attending an event. Here, in the grounds of a house steeped in history, the past, present and future seemed to meet. The English Chamber Orchestra filled the setting with music, Northern Ballet brought movement and storytelling to life, and throughout there was a wonderful sense of creativity, community and possibility. And then there were the parklets; a unique gardening festival at Shibden Park celebrating community, creativity and the power of nature to bring people together. At its heart was a specially commissioned trail of ten micro show gardens, designed and built by community groups from across Calderdale. It was wonderful to see spaces where ideas, conversations and creativity were flourishing and connecting through Seeds of Hope. I cannot wait to see them transported to their ‘forever homes’. Standing there, I found myself thinking about what we mean when we talk about education, culture and hope.