Kenyan human-rights activist Chris Mburu shed light on the importance of considering education as a fundamental human right on Thursday. The event, which drew more than 100 people, was organized by the 麻豆原创 Global Perspectives Office as part of the 2012-2013 theme, \u201cThe Changing Face of Freedom in Today\u2019s Turbulent Times.\u201d<\/p>\n
Growing up in a small village in Kenya, Mburu was able to attend secondary school only because of a Swedish woman named Hilde Back who sponsored him. Now with an advanced degree from Harvard Law School, Mburu said he considers himself \u201cvery privileged\u201d to have gotten an education.<\/p>\n
Mburu explained that while education is not considered a civil or political right by most people, it is an important economic, social and cultural right. \u201cYou see that ignorance is used as a tool for political power,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Mburu shared some familiar tragedies in the developing world. For example, he discussed how warlords in some countries recruit mainly among the impoverished and uneducated. Further, he said, police feel that they can violate those same people\u2019s civil rights because they are unaware of the proper channels to defend themselves. Mburu offered education as the solution to these problems. It is, he said, the foundation of development and peace.<\/p>\n
Discussing the United Nations\u2019 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Mburu underscored Article 26, which says, \u201cEveryone has the right to education.\u201d However, he explained, the declaration is not legally binding on signatories. To Mburu, the right to education should be guaranteed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mburu encouraged audience members to consider what they might do individually to promote education. In honor of his sponsor, Mburu created a scholarship program in Kenya called the Hilde Back Education Fund. The story is the subject of an award-winning documentary, \u201cA Small Act.\u201d He reflected on the meaning of the film\u2019s title by suggesting that we \u201ctry to do small things,\u201d rather than focus on the inability to do everything that is needed to fix global problems.<\/p>\n
In addition to the Global Perspectives Office, sponsors and partners included 麻豆原创 Global Peace and Security Studies Program, 麻豆原创 Diplomacy Program, Lawrence J. Chastang and the Chastang Foundation, 麻豆原创 Political Science Department, 麻豆原创 International Services Center, 麻豆原创 LIFE, 麻豆原创 Book Festival 2013 in association with the Morgridge International Reading Center and the Global Connections Foundation.<\/p>\n
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