An ‘action‐poor’ human rights education: a critical review of the development of human rights education in the context of civic education in Hong Kong

Abstract

In Hong Kong, human rights education (HRE) is considered an aspect of civic education. For decades, HRE has been poorly attended. In 2009, a new compulsory subject, Liberal Studies, where HRE can be infused, will be introduced to senior secondary students (15–18 years old). This article reviews the development of HRE within civic education, followed by the analysis of Liberal Studies documents with reference to international human rights documents. It is concluded that Liberal Studies can be used as a vehicle for HRE. The aims and pedagogy proposed are similar to those adopted by HRE. International standards of human rights can be incorporated in the content. However, the HRE derived from Liberal Studies is a form of ‘action‐poor HRE’. Whether this ‘action‐ poor HRE’ can adequately cultivate a universal human rights culture is an issue for further research.