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Human Rights Educators USA

HRE USA is a collaborative network to learn, teach, organize, advocate, and innovate for human rights education in the U.S.

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Founded in 2011, Human Rights Educators USA (HRE USA) is a growing network dedicated to building a culture of human rights by providing an innovative forum for HRE practitioners and supporters to learn, network, and exchange professional expertise and better serve the HRE community.

HRE USA is guided by the core human rights principles of human dignity, equality, and non-discrimination, as articulated in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We believe that effective human rights education is transformative: it empowers individuals and communities and promotes the respect for and embodiment of these values in daily life.

To fulfill our mission, we work alongside our members and partners to build a national movement for human rights education, advocate for the integration of international human rights standards into educational systems, and promote supportive national and regional policies. We aim to embed human rights education in curricula, teacher training, and pedagogy by developing resources for educators and contributing to research in the field.

To learn more about our mission, our strategic priorities, and how human rights education fuels broader social justice efforts, visit(https://hreusa.org)hreusa.org. You can also follow us on social media for the latest updates on our projects, events, and community initiatives.

If you believe in the power of education to advance justice and equity, please consider making a donation today. Your support helps us train the next generation of human rights leaders and expand the reach of human rights education across the country.

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Human Rights Educators USA is a fiscally sponsored project of the Center for Transformative Action (CTA)

Fundraisers

Feed fundraiser card link to Human Rights Educators USA General Fund
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Human Rights Educators USA General Fund

Human rights are the basic standards each of us needs to live with dignity, freedom, equality, justice , and peace . Everyone is entitled to these rights, without discrimination . Human Rights Education (HRE)  is a key part of any strategy to achieve long-term social change that ensures that we are all able to enjoy our human rights equally and without discrimination. HRE promotes values, beliefs, and attitudes that encourage all individuals to uphold their own rights and those of others. It develops an understanding of everyone’s common responsibility to make human rights a reality in each community. Human Rights Educators USA (HRE USA)  is a growing network dedicated to building a culture of human rights by providing an innovative forum for HRE practitioners and supporters to learn, network, and exchange professional expertise and better serve our growing HRE community. HRE USA operates on a very lean budget and staff. The bulk of the work conducted in our activities and projects is done through the in-kind donation of time and energy given by our dedicated members. Your tax-deductible donation of any size will help us continue to advocate for and further develop programming that supports human rights education across the United States.   HRE USA is a fiscally sponsored project of the Center for Transformative Action, a 501(c)3 organization. Checks should be made out to the Center for Transformative Action and mailed to The Center for Transformative Action, Attn: HRE USA, P.O. Box 760, Ithaca, NY.
Raised
$29,827
Next milestone
$40,000
1 supporter
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Feed fundraiser card link to 2026 Kirby Edmonds Summer Fellowships: The Future is Now
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Official fundraiser

2026 Kirby Edmonds Summer Fellowships: The Future is Now

Join Us in Supporting the Kirby Edmonds Fellowship Campaign! We are proud to launch the Kirby Edmonds Fellowship Campaign, one of our most important fundraisers of the year. Centered around the theme “The Future is Now: Shaping the Next Generation of Human Rights Leaders,” this campaign reflects our belief that investing in young leaders today is essential to building a more just and equitable tomorrow. The campaign supports the Kirby Edmonds Summer Fellowships, created to honor the remarkable legacy of Kirby Edmonds, a founding member of Human Rights Educators USA and a lifelong advocate for social justice. These fellowships offer young change-makers invaluable mentorship, hands-on experience, and leadership development. By supporting them, we empower the next generation of human rights education leaders to carry forward Kirby’s vision and deepen the impact of his work. Honoring Kirby Edmonds In August of 2020, Human Rights Educators USA lost one of its foundational leaders and enduring source of inspiration: Kirby Edmonds.  Kirby played a crucial role from the very beginning of HRE USA in 2011. Drawing on years of community organizing, he was central to forming what he lovingly described as “this impossibly audacious mission.” Kirby directly shaped HRE USA’s mission, organizational structure, values framework, and consensus-based decision-making policies. He served as Co-Chair of HRE USA for nearly a decade. Kirby’s impact extended far beyond HRE USA. His obituary in the Ithaca Journal beautifully encapsulates his influence: “Kirby was a mighty river that flowed through our community and far beyond, watering the positive seeds of possibility.” He served as Program Coordinator and Senior Fellow with the Dorothy Cotton Institute and the Cradle to Career Initiative. Yet the scope of his work reached well beyond these roles. As his obituary described: “Everywhere that people of goodwill united to tackle problems or cultivate opportunities, Kirby was quickly pulled into the center. He took on many roles—contributor, connector, or designated leader, but always encouraged folks to plan actions that would get more power and resources into the people’s hands. Soft-spoken and kind, Kirby was skilled in the art of posing incisive questions, ever asking folks to consider who else should be at the table. He had a keen understanding of power and the courage never to shy away from issues of violence, racism, poverty, hunger, and intergroup conflict.” In honor of his legacy, HRE USA proudly established the Kirby Edmonds Fellowship to continue his lifelong mission of engaging young people in building human rights-friendly schools and communities. How You Can Help Your donation will go directly toward funding the training and mentorship of Edmonds Fellows for Summer 2026. Each fellowship costs us $2,000. This year, we are proud to support four Edmonds Fellows, and with your help, we hope to expand these transformative opportunities to even more young leaders next year. Donate Online: Support us via Every.org   Donate by Check: Make checks payable to the Center for Transformative Action. Write “HRE USA Edmonds Fellowship” in the memo line and mail to: P.O. Box 760, Ithaca, NY 14851.  HRE-USA is a project of the Center for Transformative Action, a 501(c)3 organization. All contributions are tax-deductible. For more information, please contact: fellows@hreusa.org .
Raised
$2,200
Next milestone
$2,500
23 supporters
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Donors

  • User or nonprofit avatar
    Pranav Raju

    I am supporting Human Rights Educators USA because I believe education is one of the most powerful tools for change. They're equipping people and especially youth with the knowledge and skills to stand up for human rights and create stronge...

  • Sandra Sohcot

    HRE USA is doing vital work to bring human rights education to the forefront of education and community initiatives, especially in doing so in collaboration with young people.

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  • Rosemary Blanchard

    Kirby Edmonds stood strong and stood compassionate with a living commitment to Human Rights for All. The Edmonds Fellows continue his legacy.

  • Kristi Rudelius-Palmer

    Nancy Flowers is an incredible inspiration and continues to mentor the human rights education movement to grow and develop! Thanks, Nancy!

  • Meredith Hood

    I am so grateful for every opportunity HRE USA has given me! It is a pleasure to pay it forward.

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