A human rights approach to diversity and inclusion in schools

These resources help schools promote and protect human rights and create inclusive, rights-respecting school cultures.

The toolkit has two components:

1. A professional learning menu comprising 10–15-minute, easy-to-use activities

These activities will improve staff’s understanding of their legal obligations to:

• promote and protect human rights
• ensure non-discriminatory education environments.

Staff should do these activities once they’ve completed the Human Rights and Inclusion: eLearning module for schools and a face-to-face education professional learning program provided by the Department’s Legal Division or the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.

2. A suite of videos

These videos will help schools communicate their commitment to diversity, inclusion and human rights to their school communities, and create shared ownership of the school culture.

The suite of professional learning activities included in this menu have been identified and developed through a human-centred design process.

We consulted with school-based human rights ambassadors and project leaders in the course of the project, ‘A human rights approach to diversity and inclusion for Victorian schools’.

The purpose of the professional learning menu is to provide easy to use activities to consolidate and deepen staff’s understanding of their legal obligations to promote and protect human rights, and ensure non-discriminatory education environments. It is recommended that these activities be undertaken once staff have completed the Human Rights and Inclusion: eLearning module for schools and a face-to-face education professional learning program provided by the Department’s Legal Division or the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.

Audience and context

All school staff have obligations under the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities, and the Equal Opportunity Act in Victoria.

All members of school staff can use the professional learning menu including senior leaders, teaching staff, school support staff, and allied professionals working at the school. It is suggested that an activity leader, such as human rights ambassadors, facilitate the activities for staff groups.

The activities are designed to be quick and easy to roll out in a staff meeting, or as a part of other professional learning and development programs.

Using the professional learning menu

The activities included in the menu are designed to improve understanding of human rights and inclusive teaching practice.

You can select activities according to your school’s priorities, or in response to particular issues you might be managing.

See the downloads at the bottom of this page.

The Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities (the Charter) protects and promotes human rights in government schools. These videos can be used to highlight your school’s commitment to diversity, inclusion and human rights, and the benefits a human rights approach offers to everyone in your school.

Audience and context

The short videos can be shown to diverse audiences across your school community in forums, assemblies, staff meetings and classrooms to:

• encourage community members to partner with your school to ensure every student, staff member, parent, and carer is treated with dignity and respect
• communicate your school’s commitment to human rights
• enhance staff understanding of their legal obligations to protect human rights
• educate students about their rights under the Charter.

Films

Human Rights at Wellington Secondary College
Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (4.50 mins)

Students and staff at one of Melbourne’s most ethnically diverse schools discuss the benefits of a human right approach to their everyday lives and educational outcomes.

Introducing the Charter
Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (2:38 mins)

This video explains the background context for the Charter and outlines the benefits it provides for Victorians on a daily basis.

Rights and Obligations
Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (3:02 mins)

This video focuses on the rights protected in the Charter. It explains the civil and political nature of the rights and how together they provide a strong fabric of protection for people in Victoria.

Why Human Rights Matter
Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (3:21 mins)

This video creates an understanding of why human rights matter and where they have come from. It outlines the history and importance of human rights in the global context, and its relevance in Victoria today.