The Training Programme for Curricula Developers of the National College of Education (NIE) and the Ministry of Education (MOE) on Human Rights and Child Rights, held at Mandarina Hotel, Colombo 03 on May 29th and 30th, 2024. This was an initiative by the Child Rights Unit of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) operating under the JURE Project funded by European Union and implemented by UNDP and UNICEF Sri Lanka. This initiative aimed to equip curricula developers with the necessary knowledge and competence to effectively integrate Human Rights and Child Rights principles into the education system of Sri Lanka.

The two-day long event provided the participants an opportunity of learning from the experts on the subjects, namely Mr. Nimal G. Punchihewa, Commissioner of HRCSL, Professor T. Thanaraj, Commissioner of HRCSL, Ms. Menaka Herath, Director – Education & Special Programmes of HRCSL, Ms. Sulari Liyanagama, Senior Legal Officer, Inquiry & Investigations Division of the HRCSL and Dr. Hemamal Jayawardane, Chief Child Protection Specialist of UNICEF. At the open discussion the trainees were able to gather a comprehensive understanding on Human Rights and Child Rights.

The thrust of the programme was to integrate Human Rights and Child Rights into the educational landscape to foster a culture of respect, dignity, and inclusivity among students. By sensitizing curricula developers to these issues, it was expected to empower them to develop their learning materials and teaching strategies by themselves enabling them to promote more diligently awareness and understanding of Human Rights and Child Rights among students at all ages.