01. Global Campus Policy Briefs

Permanent URI for this collection

https://reponew.gchumanrights.org/handle/20.500.11825/579

The Global Campus Policy Briefs are one of the outputs of the Policy Observatory Project, which aims to enhance the role of the Global Campus and its regional members in undertaking coordinated research initiatives and providing guidance and expert opinions in response to urgent human rights issues to a broad primary and secondary audience. It provides a virtual hub, whith the participation of a team of researchers who are alumni from GC regional programmes, for the production of a set of complementary policy analyses on assigned topics.

2024 Edition:The digitalisation of education systems and its impact on human rights, with particular attention to the right to education

EdTech and the Right to Education: Policy Adaptations for Fair and Equal Learning in the Philippines and Cambodia
by Jean Linis-Dinco

Navigating the Digital Waters in Education: The Importance of Promoting Digital Literacy and Teaching Digital Competences in South East Europe
by Gergana Tzvetkova

Equity in Digital Education: Assessing the Impact of Remote and Online Learning on Low-Income Students in Armenia, Moldova and Ukraine and Effective Approaches
by Goharik Tigranyan

Addressing the Digital Divide among Students at Risk of School Dropout in Latin America
by Lucía Camacho Gutiérrez

Education for All in the Digital Age: Exploring EdTech Regulatory Frameworks across Africa
by Reda Benkhadra

AI Integration in Education in the MENA Region: Will it Be a Driver of Social Inequality?
by Aida Traidi

ChatGPT in Classrooms: A Double-Edged Sword
by Desara Dushi

Framing a Human Rights-Based Approach to the Digitalisation of Education Systems: Reflections on Research Findings in Seven Regions
by Chiara Altafin

2022 Edition: Business and Human Rights at 10: What Next for the Future?

Living with Fear and Fragility in Times of Pandemic: Contested Lives of Migrant Workers and Challenges of National and Regional Business and Human Rights Frameworks for Labour Migration in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
by Saittawut Yutthaworakool

Anti-Corruption to Fight Human Trafficking Labour Exploitation in the Spanish Agricultural Sector
by Clàudia Serrano Puig

Economic Growth in Developing Countries and its Impact on Human Rights of Indigenous Communities
by Natalia Gagliardone

Child Labour among Refugee Youth in Lebanon: A Way Forward
by Jasmin Lilian Diab

A Step Closer or a Step Further from Corporate Social Responsibility: Building Hydropower Plants in Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina
by Imane Bellaadem

Balancing Between Human Rights and Business Development: What is the Situation with Labour Rights in Ukraine and What are the Chances to Change It?
by Irina Bakhcheva

2021 Edition: The Connection between the Environment and Human Rights with a Primary Focus on the Rights of Future Generations and Youth Participation

Climate Justice and Human Rights, in a World in Climate Emergency
by Zoi Aliozi

Environment and Human Rights in Curriculum: Towards a Strong and Uniform Education Policy in South Asia
by Visalaakshi Annamalai

‘Burned by the Sun, Drowned by the Rain’: Enhancing Children’s Legal Protection Against Climate Change
by Elise Daniaud

Climate Change and the Future Generation under the African Human Rights System: Fostering Pathways and Partnerships
by Ademola Oluborode Jegede

Planet over Profit? A Reality Check of Europe’s Aspirational Climate Policies
by Tomáš Jungwirth

Ecosystem Restoration as a Successful Way for Fighting Global Climate Changes
by Marina Rakopyan

Youth Activism and Climate Change in Latin America: Indigenous and Peasant Youth in Defence of their Human Rights and Territories
by Juan Wahren

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A Step Closer or a Step Further from Corporate Social Responsibility: Building Hydropower Plants in Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina

(Global Campus of Human Rights, 2022) Bellaadem, Imane

The policy paper examines how can corporate social responsibility be applied within the landscape of Western Balkans, having a focus on Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). This paper analyses the environmental aspect of corporate social responsibility in these two respective countries, more specifically, it will evaluate existing regulations and practices in building hydropower plants and small hydropower plants in local communities. It will tackle the effects of developing hydropower plants on the right to life, right to clean and healthy environment, water rights and what role can companies play in respecting these rights. The sustainable development perspective will also be included in the policy analyses. It will particularly address disputed cases of building and developing hydropower plants in Albania and BiH and provide an overview of protective mechanisms in similar cases. The paper will end with policy recommendations towards both the states and companies.
Addressing the Digital Divide among Students at Risk of School Dropout in Latin America

(Global Campus of Human Rights, 2024-07) Camacho Gutiérrez, Lucía

Digitalisation in Latin American (LATAM) education is vital but faces challenges like high dropout rates and a significant digital divide. The region lacks thorough evaluations on how these issues impact virtual education, leaving vulnerable students at risk. Existing policies on connectivity and digital skills are superficial and not well integrated with education agendas, necessitating a more holistic approach to ensure equitable access to education through digital transformation. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the digital divide's impact on secondary and primary school dropout rates in the LATAM public education system. Students struggled with internet access, inadequate devices and loss of teacher contact, leading to higher dropout rates, especially among low-income and rural students. Countries like Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Honduras saw significant increases in dropout rates, although the situation was not as dire as initially feared. Dropout rates in LATAM are influenced by multiple factors, perpetuating social and economic inequalities. The digital divide, particularly in rural areas, exacerbates educational exclusion, with gender disparities further disadvantaging girls and women. Despite efforts to improve internet access and education quality in countries like Colombia, Chile, Peru, Brazil, Ecuador and Mexico, these initiatives often lack integration with strategies to reduce dropout rates. A human rights-based approach (HRBA) to digitalisation emphasises equity, inclusion and pragmatic use of digital tools to enhance education. Public policies should focus on meaningful internet access, addressing affordability, connectivity and social environment aspects. Comprehensive data collection on the digital divide's impact on dropout rates is essential for informed policymaking. The 'My Education, Our Future' agenda promoted by different stakeholders and organisations aims to bridge the digital gap in education and support school reintegration, opening a valuable opportunity for action on this policy area.
AI Integration in Education in the MENA Region: Will it Be a Driver of Social Inequality?

(Global Campus of Human Rights, 2024-07) Traidi, Aida

This policy brief aims to open a regional discussion on the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries, focusing on AI integration in education and related implications. The introductory section provides a comprehensive overview of the AI landscape in the region, exploring the state of AI education and the main AI government policies or strategies. The second section highlights existing challenges to the integration of AI in education in the region. Far from polarising positions, the next section reflects on the ways in which AI is causing disruption in education, arguing that this disruption can have both positive and negative impacts on various human rights, depending on the existence and enforcement of appropriate governance and regulatory frameworks. It then presents two different policy scenarios. Finally, concrete policy recommendations are provided for different actors to address and mitigate the identified risks to the right to education.
Anti-Corruption to Fight Human Trafficking Labour Exploitation in the Spanish Agricultural Sector

(Global Campus of Human Rights, 2022) Serrano Puig, Clàudia

While human trafficking for labour exploitation represents one of the major challenges currently faced by Europe, it appears that corruption issues are still the central cause at the origins of this violation of human rights. Spain represents a concrete example of this scheme: considering its complex legal framework in the matter and the levels of perceived corruption, labour exploitation in the country, and particularly in the agricultural sector, demonstrates the interconnection between labour exploitation, human trafficking and corruption. It is true that, because of the ‘transnational culture of corruption’ (IOM 2017: 1), as well as of the complexity of the systems of global supply chain, impunity prevails and finding legal or political tools to fight it remains particularly complex. Yet, there is an ongoing interest and discussion from businesses and civil society related to mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence (especially with the recent proposal of the European Union Commission for adopting a Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence). Increased attention to corporate’s responsibility in this crime, but also to corruption issues as such, was given. However, more efforts need to be done as responsibilities remain solely on states, business sectors also must be held to account. And more importantly, the corruption prism must be taken into account in the fight against human trafficking for labour exploitation. By analysing the case of Spain, this paper aims at stressing the interrelatedness between human trafficking and corruption, in revealing the extent to which adopting an anti-corruption perspective by states and private companies can be a critical factor to prevent and fight labour exploitation. This research finally proposes recommendations to improve the overall domestic system and make the fight into human trafficking more efficient.
Balancing Between Human Rights and Business Development: What is the Situation with Labour Rights in Ukraine and What are the Chances to Change It?

(Global Campus of Human Rights, 2022) Bakhcheva, Iryna

The topic of business and human rights received a new impetus after the adoption of the United Nations (UN) Guidelines on Business and Human Rights in 2011. This topic is extremely relevant for developing countries such as Ukraine. Over the past 30 years, Ukraine has witnessed dramatic changes in the socio-economic system and a business development boom. Business development, however, was not always contributing to improving the human rights situation. In particular, there is a problem with observance of labour rights in Ukraine with high unregistered employment, inequality in the labour market and labour legislation that does not correspond to the realities of the market. This policy brief outlines the existing legal framework in the field of labour rights and existing loopholes in the system of labour rights protection. The brief offers policy recommendations to the government on how to improve the situation and bring business on board in the promotion of labour and human rights protection. In particular, the article contains recommendations for the development of a national action plan in light of the adoption of the UN General Principles on Business and Human Rights by Ukraine in 2019.
‘Burned by the Sun, Drowned by the Rain’: Enhancing Children’s Legal Protection Against Climate Change

(Global Campus of Human Rights, 2021) Daniaud, Elise

The objective of this policy brief is to make a case for addressing the pressing issue of child environmental rights in international law. There are 2.2 billion children on this planet, 90 per cent of whom are living in low and lower-middle income countries. While they constitute the human group with the biggest expecting growth over the next 30 years, they yet remain the most underrepresented one. Children also struggle making their voices heard, being taken seriously and simply catching the attention of the adult generation. Their fears, hopes, dreams, expectations but also innovative ideas for potential solutions and mitigation strategies regarding climate change are constantly underestimated. Up to this date, despite their will to be part of decision-making processes and legal initiatives, no right to environment applied to children is explicitly codified, recognised as such and endorsed per se as a legal international instrument. The policy brief highlights five reasons justifying concrete change in policy making in order to safeguard children’s future. The environmental issue should be apprehended as an ethical duty for the adult generation: the risks faced by poor children and children in poor environments threatens their quality of life as well as their health and their chances to survive, the threats faced by indigenous communities involve serious risks altering their culture and their lifestyle, and the positive role of child activism should be valorised. In order to address children’s concerns regarding climate change, the policy brief suggests a set of measures and initiatives which could lead to social and environmental change regarding local and national policy making, child participation, social group actions and international organisations’ capability.
Characterising Migrations in Latin America: Analysis and Media Coverage Proposals of the Argentine Case

(Global Campus of Human Rights, 2019) Fernández Bravo, Ezequiel

The objective of this policy brief is to provide guidelines and tools for self-regulation of journalism in Argentina, based on pluralism and differences in reporting and media coverage of migration, as main principles. Latin America has been and still is a continent defined by a dynamic and continuous migratory flow, both in inter-regional and intra-regional terms. In the last few years, several states from the region have been affected by setbacks in public policies, administrative practices and regulatory provisions. These dynamics have been replicated and encouraged by mass media. By stereotyping migrants in negative terms, mass media has justified human rights violations, highlighting and furthering xenophobic expressions within civil society. Mass media play an essential role in this process, as actors with the agency to shape a public agenda, enable or constrain imaginaries within society and characterise and portray vulnerable groups, in this case, the migrant population. Even though the phenomenon has extended throughout the region, analysing the Argentinian case is of special interest due to the approach to migration from a human rights and securitisation perspective. The growing criminalisation, following regressive policies and multiple discourses by first-line government officials, has been accompanied by media discourse in tune with editorial lines about the subject from the 1990s. Although it was nuanced at the beginning of this century, it has re-emerged strongly in the last five years. The present policy brief seeks to propose guidelines aimed at prevent xenophobia and eradicate the use of stereotypes. It also suggests more appropriate conditions to think about professional journalism and the interaction with migrant groups and audiences that actively participate in the shaping news. Among these mechanisms, the strengthening of the Public Defender’s Office for Audiovisual Communication Services is central. Finally, it suggests guidelines to strengthen and increase support mechanisms for the self-regulation of independent journalism, without interference.
ChatGPT in Classrooms: A Double-Edged Sword

(Global Campus of Human Rights, 2024-07) Dushi, Desara

This policy brief analyses the promising benefits and negative impact of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) on higher education, with a focus on ChatGPT. It revolves around questions such as: To what extent should digitalisation become part of education? What are the threats to the right to education and data protection in times of digital technologies? How can digitalisation in education be regulated, and by whom? What should higher education do to address the increasing dependence on technology while safeguarding data autonomy and public values? Can current legislative and regulatory frameworks deliver enough appropriate and desirable guidance? The policy brief starts with an analysis of the initiatives at the European Union (EU) and Council of Europe (CoE) level. Focusing on the European higher education landscape, initiatives from several EU countries are considered. These analyses underscore the importance of inclusive decision-making processes that involve educators, students and other relevant stakeholders. This provides for a better understanding of the implications of GenAI and ensures that its integration into education systems aligns with human rights principles and standards. To make the tool serve educational purposes, the providers of ChatGPT and other similar technologies must collaborate with educational institutions. The objective should be maximising the potential of GenAI while remaining aware of the possibilities for foreseeable misuse.
Child Labour among Refugee Youth in Lebanon: A Way Forward

(Global Campus of Human Rights, 2022) Diab, Jasmin Lilian

Lebanon ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child on 14 May 1991. Since this date, the country has shown its commitment towards bettering the situation of children within its territory, as well as the protection of their health and wellbeing. While this commitment is enshrined in a number of governmental initiatives, socio-economic disparities are increasingly evident amid the country’s ongoing political deadlock, escalating economic crisis and following the impacts of both COVID-19 and the 2020 Beirut blast. The unemployment rate in Lebanon reached 6.7% by the end of 2021 and is projected to double according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts’ expectations. Drivers of child labour at the national level are intersectional, complex and specific to the social, cultural, political and economic contexts in which the children in question reside. For refugees and host communities alike, lack of law enforcement, poverty and food insecurity remain consistent themes. Despite the fact that the percentages of children engaged in child labour did witness sporadic declines due to general nationwide quarantine/lockdown realities, refugee families living on the outskirts of poverty remain at risk of falling even further below the poverty line in the long-term. Most likely, this reality will lead to an increase in child labour (including the ‘worst forms’ of child labour) in the medium- to-long term.
Climate Change and the Future Generation under the African Human Rights System: Fostering Pathways and Partnerships

(Global Campus of Human Rights, 2021) Jegede, Ademola Oluborode

The objective of this policy brief is to argue the conceptual and legal bases for the protection of the rights of future generations in the context of adverse effects of climate change and articulate the potential pathways and partnerships necessary for its achievement under the African human rights system (AHRS). In Africa, climate change is not only a reality, it has current and future consequences on the enjoyment of several rights including the rights to life, health, food, water and housing. Yet, it is not clear whether the protection of future generations against the adverse consequences of climate change is possible, and if so, how it may be achieved and advanced under the AHRS. The policy brief shows that there is no conceptual challenge in constructing a claim for the protection of the rights of future generations in the context of climate change. It then explores not only the potentials in key instruments under the AHRS but also shows how the promotional, protective and interpretive mandates of quasi-judicial and judicial bodies of the AHRS may advance the protection of future generations in the light of adverse effects of climate change in Africa. To advance this approach, the policy brief recommends that awareness campaigns, capacity building and empowerment through workshops and trainings at state and regional levels are necessary to equip actors, especially African non-governmental organisations (NGOs), lawyers, human rights institutions, states representatives and mandate holders, on the pathways across the mandates of bodies within the AHRS.
Climate Justice and Human Rights, in a World in Climate Emergency

(Global Campus of Human Rights, 2021) Aliozi, Zoi

Climate justice is the blueprint for a fair and sustainable future of life on this planet. Climate justice can be understood as a lens for looking at climate change as a social, ethical and legal issue, rather than solely an environmental one. This frame of justice has in its core the protection of human rights and of the most vulnerable in a climate changed world. Climate justice should be seen as a flexible umbrella that is about ensuring that the process of implementing policies to tackle the anthropogenic harms of climate change is mirroring the rule of law and is developed on a rights-based approach. It is a matter of global justice with duties spreading from the international to the regional and national stakeholders. If the United Nations (UN) fails to promote climate justice, then we collectively fail to protect human rights and negligently violate the rights of future generations. This policy brief outlines the linkages of human rights and climate change, by advocating for climate justice. Climate change is undermining the fulfilment of internationally protected human rights, like the rights to health and life; the rights to food, water, shelter and property; rights associated with livelihood and culture; and with migration and resettlement. The worst effects of climate change are principally felt by those whose rights protections are already insufficient. The main message of this brief is intended to raise awareness about the climate emergency that our world is under, and to extend an urgent call for immediate climate action addressed to all stakeholders in the European Union (EU) and UN levels, including politicians, law and policy makers as well as to civil society. After three decades of negotiating about the reach and power of climate laws and policies, we have reached a point that the negative effects of climate change are directly harming human rights on a large scale. We need a global response with strong laws mirroring and integrating the human rights project in this process. This brief aims to expose the political negligence of power holders in mitigating the negative effects of climate change on our planet, human rights and humankind’s existence. Climate change is not only linked with the obvious human rights, like the right to a healthy environment or right to life; but climate change has become synonymous for climate emergency, and if this emergency is not mitigated by climate justice it will turn into the end of human rights. It is not rocket science to understand that in a world without a healthy environment, drinkable water and clean oxygen, no right to life or any human right can be truly enjoyed.
Conquering the Right to Assembly of LGBTI People in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Towards the First Pride Parade

(Global Campus of Human Rights, 2019) Durkalić, Masha

Up until now, it has been challenging to speak about any standard policy practices when it comes to the freedom of assembly of lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender/intersex (LGBTI) people in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). Ahead of the first pride parade, announced for September 2019, this policy paper examines the reasons why a pride parade, as a particularly important form of advocacy for LGBTI rights, attained through the right to assembly, has not yet taken place in BiH. It also reflects on the examples of assembly which took place in the past, as well as on their results, ultimately offering the arguments as to why a pride parade would be a game-changer when it comes to the rights of the LGBTI community, and makes recommendations to stakeholders on how to help this process along. The Constitutional Court of BiH gave two landmark verdicts stating that homophobic and transphobic violence that took place at the 2008 Queer Sarajevo Festival and 2014 Merlinka Festival violated the right to assembly of LGBTI people. Recommendations on making sure the first pride parade is held peacefully and without obstruction are focused on ensuring the safety of the pride parade and creating an atmosphere in which the public opinion will be free of hate speech aimed at LGBTI people. The police structures of Canton Sarajevo and Federation of BiH should work together to ensure the parade is held without incidents. The media should uphold the highest standards of professionalism and ethics when reporting about the first pride parade in BiH and refuse media space to homophobic and fascist views. The political parties should demonstrate their willingness to respect all human rights, as their statutes claim, and refrain from hate speech and homophobia. Civil society organisations and relevant human rights institutions should continue to support the first pride parade and to bring its importance to the attention of the public, while international stakeholders should continue to pressure the responsible authorities to protect the pride parade in line with the law. United efforts in this direction would make sure that the first pride parade in BiH is held without violence, hate speech and obstruction, thereby signalling a new era of protection of LGBTI rights in this country.
The Cyber Occupation of Palestine; Suppressing Digital Activism and Shrinking the Virtual Sphere

(Global Campus of Human Rights, 2020) Taha, Suhail

Since the October 2015 uprising, the Israeli regime has intensified its prosecution of Palestinian digital users. Hundreds of Palestinians were arrested under the pretext of ‘incitement’ over social media platforms, particularly journalists, human rights defenders (HRDs), activists, artists and students. As alternative ‘public spheres’ for digital protests, social media platforms have had a significant impact on promoting human rights and exposing violations. The Israeli repressive policy against Palestinian digital rights has narrowed the online sphere censoring the right to express and speech; thus, shifting the role of these digital platforms from a tool to strengthen freedom of expression and rights to open arenas for prosecution and suppression. This policy brief argues that social media companies are complicit in facilitating the Israeli occupation violations of Palestinian digital rights through restricting their rights to freedom of expression, thought and privacy. It shows that Facebook has been censoring Palestinian content based on Israeli regulations since 2015. The policy brief outlines the major challenges pertaining to the protection of Palestinian digital rights in the context of the current repressive policies undertaken by the Israeli occupation and highlights the key repercussions and impact of neglecting abuses of Palestinian digital rights. It underlines the importance of digitalisation for the proper protection and promotion of human rights. Furthermore, it proposes a set of recommendations aimed at adopting a human rights-based approach to digitalisation and guaranteeing protection to safeguard Palestinians’ rights to freedom of expression and public participation in the virtual sphere. The policy paper suggests that social media companies must commit to their transnational human rights obligations and refrain from being complicit with violating Palestinian digital rights through ceasing their collaboration with the Israeli regime. On the contrary, they have a responsibility to ensure a safe and protected digital environment for Palestinian HRDs and activists over social media platforms.
Diffusing Tension, Building Trust: Proposals on Guiding Principles Applicable during Consideration of the Activity Reports of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights

(Global Campus, 2018) Biegon, Japhet

As the most active regional human rights supervisory mechanism in Africa, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) has increasingly become the target of political backlash. The African Union (AU) Executive Council and the Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC) have on a number of occasions reacted angrily to decisions taken by the ACHPR in the discharge of its mandate. In the process, they have overstepped their role to consider the activity reports of the ACHPR. In particular, they have purported to alter substantive decisions of the ACHPR or direct how it should perform its independent and autonomous functions. This policy brief seeks to clarify the limits and boundaries of the involvement of AU political organs in mandate-related functions of the ACHPR. It proposes a set of five guiding principles that should be applied by the Executive Council and the PRC during their consideration of the activity reports of the ACHPR. In particular, it proposes that: (a) consideration of activity reports should not erode or undermine the role of the ACHPR as an independent and autonomous interpreter of the African Charter; (b) the competence to consider activity reports should be understood in light of the overriding object and purpose of the African Charter; (c) consideration of activity reports should take into account the fact that the African Charter contains safeguards for ensuring ACHPR’s internal independence; (d) the process of considering activity reports should not serve as a platform for member states to lodge appeals against decisions of the ACHPR; and (e) consideration of activity reports should foster the principles of separation of powers and rule of law within the AU.
Economic Growth in Developing Countries and its Impact on Human Rights of Indigenous Communities

(Global Campus of Human Rights, 2022) Gagliardone, Natalia

Latin American economies are almost exclusively based on extractivism of natural resources. The overexploitation of these resources and the lack of enforcement of the law by the state may compromise vulnerable groups of people, especially indigenous communities. This situation affects the tenure of their lands and territories, the continuity of their cultural heritage and, very often, their very own survival. Paraguay, whose economy is mainly based on agriculture and livestock, was recently sanctioned by the United Nations Human Rights Committee stating that it violated the rights of an indigenous community to their lands and their concept of domicile, due to the lack of enforcement of the law regarding activities performed by agricultural companies. This situation is just one of many in which human rights of indigenous communities are being infringed by companies and the state in pursuit of economic growth, which is why it is a necessity to enforce and apply human rights principles within the framework of a sustainable development. The purpose of this paper is to be able to demonstrate that companies and state bodies if not willing to abide, comply and enforce human rights regulations are able to cause serious human rights violations, affecting indigenous communities to the extent of risking their very existence. Indigenous people’s mere existence is closely linked to the conservation and protection of the environment; therefore protection of both is not only needed but a matter of extreme and urgent necessity.
Ecosystem Restoration as a Successful Way for Fighting Global Climate Changes

(Global Campus of Human Rights, 2021) Rakopyan, Marina

The world’s ecosystem has been affected throughout the ages by human development which has led to climate change throughout the whole globe. Global warming is causing not only warmer water temperatures but it is also raising the level of the seas and the consequences of this can affect food security, health, access to water and personal security. It can affect all human beings especially the vulnerable ones. People living in third world countries will be the most affected. Climate change affects our right to life, right to adequate food, right to water, right to health, right to adequate housing and right to self-determination. We, humans, depend on the ecosystem since it provides us with basic needs starting from food and water to disease control and cultural benefits. It needs to be protected and if possible to be restored (Society for Ecological Restoration International 2007) with the help of ecosystem restoration, which is one of the few ways to fight the global climate change phenomenon. The aim of the paper is to show that ecosystem restoration is one of the most successful ways to fight global climate change.
EdTech and the Right to Education: Policy Adaptations for Fair and Equal Learning in the Philippines and Cambodia

(Global Campus of Human Rights, 2024-07) Linis-Dinco, Jean

This policy brief explores the challenges and opportunities regarding the adoption of education technology (EdTech) in the Philippines and Cambodia, and how it relates to the right to education. Without careful consideration of the importance of human rights to the integration of technology into the education sector, the use of technology may further widen the digital divide in the two countries. Drawing on a political economy framework (Pellini et al. 2021), this brief proposes solutions that not only consider the complexities of domestic politics, structural and systemic factors and the diverse needs of stakeholders but also examines the practicality of each solution within a local context. This policy brief argues for the need to go beyond techno-solutionism or the belief that technology alone can solve social and political problems. Instead, it advocates for an approach that tackles underlying problems rather than applying temporary fixes based on the agenda of current sitting political parties. Recommendations range from legal and social reforms promoting equitable access to digital infrastructure to fostering the development of inclusive and culturally relevant EdTech content. Specifically, it urges governments to review existing legislation to ensure equitable integration of technology, strengthen protections for marginalised groups including Indigenous peoples and invest in teacher training and development.
Education for All in the Digital Age: Exploring EdTech Regulatory Frameworks across Africa

(Global Campus of Human Rights, 2024-07) Benkhadra, Reda

Sub-Saharan Africa currently faces the distressing reality of being home to the highest rate of education deprivation globally, where nearly 100 million school-age children lack access to schooling. The integration of digital technologies into educational systems has displayed promise in mitigating this issue and enhancing access to education, particularly in areas affected by crises. However, alongside recognising the potential of digital technologies, it is imperative to uphold human rights, notably the right to equitable and inclusive quality education. The increasing presence of private and for-profit entities in the education sector poses a significant threat, as they push for the commodification and commercialisation of educational services. Noteworthy examples, such as the emergence of the so-called ‘low-cost private schools’, backed by educational technology (EdTech) companies and tech giants, illustrate this concerning trend. These entities, offering technology-centric yet profit-driven educational services, have faced criticism for inefficiency, lack of sustainability and failure to meet national standards, leading to school closures and strong backlash in countries like Uganda and Kenya. Similar concerns have arisen in West Africa, where they have faced scrutiny for their pedagogical methods. Addressing such practices and adequately regulating private sector involvement are paramount to safeguarding the right to education and ensuring its equitable access for all.
Environment and Human Rights in Curriculum: Towards a Strong and Uniform Education Policy in South Asia

(Global Campus of Human Rights, 2021) Annamalai, Visalaakshi

This policy paper aims to summarise the existing education policy with respect to the environment and human rights in the countries in South Asia as well as address gaps and challenges. While there is an emphasis on human rights education, its link to the environment and climate change is largely overlooked in curricula. It is, therefore, necessary to actively amend the education policy to include human rights and environment-centric courses that enable the youth to play an informed role in immediate and future policy making in the region. In conclusion, this paper will provide policy recommendations to governments in the region on the actions that can be adopted going forward in strengthening aspects of human rights and environment-linked education. It will strongly emphasise the need for the governments to educate the youth on these fronts with the consideration that most of the politicians and bureaucrats in the region are not very well versed in these subjects. This gap is likely owing to past education policies and education itself as a right that is still being realised. The policy brief advocates for a comprehensive and uniform national education policy on human rights, climate change and the environment in the region that will include the experiences from the region in battling climate change and protecting the environment to empower the youth in future decision making.
Equity in Digital Education: Assessing the Impact of Remote and Online Learning on Low-Income Students in Armenia, Moldova and Ukraine and Effective Approaches

(Global Campus of Human Rights, 2024-07) Tigranyan, Goharik

This policy brief aims to examine the impact of remote and online learning choices on educational inequalities for low-income students in Armenia, Moldova and Ukraine. Digitalisation of education has become crucial since 2020, especially during the transition from offline to online learning amid the COVID-19 pandemic. While some countries adapted well, others, including the mentioned trio, struggled with issues such as the digital divide affecting access to information and communication technology (ICT) for low-income and rural families. This challenge has hindered the effective transition to online education and exacerbated educational disparities. To address this, it is vital to adopt a human rights-based approach that ensures equitable access to inclusive and quality education for all children, regardless of their socioeconomic status or location. Recognising the significance of education as a human right is essential in approaching the digital divide as a question of equity and justice rather than a technological challenge. States should prioritise reforms to bridge the digital divide through inclusive frameworks and hybrid learning strategies, potentially leveraging Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to sustainably improve educational outcomes.

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