1. Legal Basis and Strategic
Objectives
Decision No. 1309/QD-TTg approved the
project "Integrating Human Rights Knowledge into the Curriculum of the
National Education System." The core objective for the higher education
level is to equip students with a system of scientific and objective knowledge
regarding human rights, thereby fostering an attitude of respect and developing
skills to protect the legal rights and interests of themselves and the
community. This is not merely the transmission of legal knowledge but a process
of character building and fostering civic responsibility within the context of
extensive international integration.
2. Scientific Content of Human Rights
Educational Materials
The human rights educational
materials for the undergraduate level - organized and guided by the Ministry of
Education and Training (under Official Dispatch No. 8435/BGDDT-GDDH) - focus on
several key pillars:
- Fundamental Theory of Human Rights: Providing definitions,
characteristics, nature, and the historical evolution of human rights across
different eras. It systematizes universal values such as dignity, freedom, and
equality.
- International Human Rights Law: Introducing pivotal international
instruments, including the United Nations Charter, the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights (UDHR), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
(ICCPR), and the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural
Rights (ICESCR), along with other specialized conventions to which Vietnam is a
member.
- Vietnamese Policy and Law: Deeply analyzing the perspectives of
the Party and State; the provisions of the 2013 Constitution; and the current
legal system regarding human rights and the fundamental rights and obligations
of citizens. This assists students in identifying mechanisms for ensuring and
protecting rights within the practical conditions of Vietnam.
3. Implementation Methodology and
Systemic Consistency
The implementation of human rights
education is required to be scientific and flexible yet consistent across the
board:
- Integration and Embedding: For non-law universities, human
rights content is integrated into political science subjects (such as General
Law or Ho Chi Minh Thought) or suitable specialized courses. For law majors,
human rights is taught as an independent or advanced subject.
- Combining Theory with Practice: The guiding documents emphasize
innovating teaching methods to be student-centered. Students are encouraged to
participate in forums and case studies to develop skills in analysis and the
identification of human rights violations.
- Inheritance and Suitability: The higher education curriculum
builds upon the foundation laid at the general education levels but is elevated
through critical thinking and the ability to apply law to future professional
practice.
4. Significance and Impact
The introduction of standardized
materials and synchronous implementation guidance from the Ministry of
Education and Training helps create a professional academic environment and
prevents distorted perceptions of human rights. Human rights education at the
university level plays a vital role in building an intellectual workforce with
a modern mindset and respect for the rule of law. This contributes to the goal
of building a Socialist Rule of Law State "of the people, by the people,
and for the people."
In summary, the implementation of
Decision 1309/QD-TTg serves as evidence of Vietnam's efforts to domesticate
international standards while affirming that education is the most effective
tool for promoting and protecting human rights sustainably.