Human Rights and Values Education in Europe: Research in Educational Law, Curricula and Textbooks (Book Review)

Abstract

This volume, published in Germany with the support of the European Commission,is the product of a collaboration (Socrates and later Erasmus funded) which brings together nine contributors from seven countries. The project was eventually called "Building Bridges" and the book begins with a commentary on a Rembrandt painting of a bridge, which forms the book cover. The theme is broad—human rights and values education as these relate to the school curriculum and textbooks. Each writer interprets this differently, some not achieving a balanced focus. Overall, the contributions consist of a collection of progress reports: many had not completed everything they set out to do. The English style throughout is patchy but acceptable: for example the series' strap-line is "to think Europe through values looking at Human Rights"... Interesting issues are raised about values and human rights education, much superficially descriptive. It cries out for a thorough-going debate of these important issues and principles, which it reveals as having been neglected by the contributing countries of the European Union.