.:Resource Guides:Human Rights-Where to Learn More About the Field.
Human Rights
Where Can I Learn More About the Human Rights Field?
One of the richest sources for information on human rights issues is the web. Hundreds of organizations provide information about their mission, the human rights situation internationally, regionally and locally and ways in which you can become involved. Check out:
Also consider becoming a member of a human rights organization. Many groups fundraise and educate by promoting fee-based memberships. For a nominal amount of money you receive newsletters and alerts informing you about a recent abuse or atrocity and what you can do to
respond. Becoming active in this way provides you with information and allows you to be part of the human rights movement.
A number of magazines and journals provide a more in-depth look at everything from geo-political analysis to special topics such as child soldiers and refugees. Some of these periodicals include: The Human Rights Quarterly, The Harvard Human Rights Journal, The Human
Rights Monitor, The United Nations Chronicle and The Human Rights Internet. The University of Minnesota's Human Rights Library publicizes links to electronic journals as well as reviews of recently published
books in the human rights field. Look for the soon-to-be released Careers in Politics, Government, and Activism, by Joan Axelrod-Contrada published by Facts on File, Inc. which gives specific information on human rights activism for those students and graduates beginning
their career exploration.
Several human rights resource centers also provide both on-line educational materials and listings of publications. The following centers are respected for their breath and depth of information:
There are dozens of other human rights centers in the US and around the world. Many are located in academic institutions and have a research or teaching emphasis. Some are independently established and focus on specific issue areas. For a comprehensive listing of such
centers visit the University of Minnesota's Human Rights Library.
As the area of human rights has expanded and diversified so has the corresponding number of graduate schools individuals can choose as a foundation for their human rights education. The study of law is being joined by public policy, medicine, social work, education,
political science, anthropology and the arts --- as many interests and skills as people possess are being applied to this field. To search for academic programs focusing on human rights and that match your interests, you may want to start with
Peterson's and Gradschools.com. Then research educational opportunities listed on resource centers such as The University of
Minnesota's Human Rights Resource Center.
