Which social problem moves you? At the 2025 Theater and Human Rights Institute, teachers will learn how they and their students can use theater to reflect, learn, speak up, and share stories to bring about change.

This professional development workshop introduces human rights education frameworks and theater-based learning techniques as an effective method for engaging students with human rights issues. Co-hosted by Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights and Educators for Excellence, this three-day event will be held in person in New York City from June 13 to June 15.

The institute will provide guidance on researching and writing dramatic monologues based on the lives of both global and local human rights defenders, aligning these narratives with various subject areas such as social sciences, language arts, and environmental studies. During the event, attendees will learn how to facilitate project-based learning opportunities for students, including participation in the Speak Truth to Power video contest and the staging of performances featuring defender monologues. Educators will also learn how to incorporate the Human Rights Temperature of Your School assessment tool to measure students’ understanding of human rights and social-emotional learning competencies, ensuring the program’s impact is both measurable and meaningful.

By the end of the institute, educators will be equipped with the skills and resources necessary to effectively teach human rights, and students will have developed a deeper understanding of these critical issues, positioning them as informed and active global citizens. This comprehensive approach not only enriches the educational experience but also fosters a culture of empathy, critical thinking, and social responsibility in the next generation.

Following the event, ongoing support will be provided to attendees through virtual office hours, site visits, and follow-up meetings to assist educators in implementing human rights-focused lessons and integrating global perspectives into their classrooms.

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