Planning Human Rights Education for Psychologists

Abstract

This chapter introduces human rights education theories and practices relevant for the education of psychology students. It suggests how to educate for a human rights-based psychology through curriculum strategies and themes that can be infused in the initial education and ongoing training of psychologists. Critical perspectives can be developed on conditions that negatively affect the mental well-being of people and the root causes of such conditions. Learner-centred education broadly encompasses methods of teaching that shift the focus of instruction from the teacher to the student. The chapter deals with questions to encourage critical reflection and discussion along with additional resources for curriculum planning. A presentation of the human rights-based approach to programming can introduce both the legal standards and human rights norms, such as inclusion and non-discrimination, and their relevance for research, practice and social action in psychology.