FutureLearn Partners with Amnesty International on 70th Anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights

FutureLearn, the online social learning platform owned by The Open University, is partnering with the world’s leading human rights organisation, Amnesty International, to provide a free online course introducing learners to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

The announcement of the partnership and co-created online course, Defending Dignity: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, comes on the day of the 70th anniversary of the revolutionary document being signed.

Passed by the General Assembly of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights saw all UN member states acknowledge that all human beings, all over the world were born with the same, indivisible human rights, and that all people had a right and a duty to stand up for the rights of themselves and others.

Now, FutureLearn, Europe’s leading online social learning platform, is hosting a free-to-join, three-week course created by Amnesty International, which will provide an introduction to the revolutionary declaration. ‘Defending Dignity’ will affirm learners with ways to take action, defend and claim their own rights as well as the rights of others.

Topics covered on the course include: dignity and human rights, as well as promoting equality and non-discrimination in a society based on human rights principles.    

Nigel Smith, MD of Courses and Learning at FutureLearn, FutureLearn, said: “We are delighted to be able to announce our partnership with Amnesty International on this momentous day in the history of human rights.

“Amnesty International is committed to one of the most important, fundamental causes to which any of us can commit ourselves: that of universal human rights. That we can support Amnesty in its mission to speak out for anyone and everyone whose freedom and dignity are under threat by providing a platform to help learners understand their rights and the rights of others is something we’re immensely proud of.”

“We are excited to collaborate with FutureLearn and provide a first course together as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights turns 70”, said Barbara Weber, Amnesty International’s Global Director for Human Rights Education.  “The learning platform offers an incredible opportunity for people to interact and learn how to fight for a free and equal world. A lot has been achieved based on a vision that people can live their lives in dignity, free from fear and discrimination, but a lot more needs to be done to ensure every human being enjoys freedom and equality. Our new online course Defending Dignity: Universal Declaration of Human Rights will inspire people from all walks of life to take action, defend and claim their own rights as well as the rights of others.”

Defending Dignity: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is open for enrolments now and begins on 21 January 2018.