This ERIC Digest outlines what is meant by the phrase human rights and the origin of the concept. It also traces the delineation of the concept of human rights from the 17th century antecedent of "natural rights" to its eventual incarnation as inherent political or personal rights, such as freedom of speech, press, assembly, and…

Notes 1990 is UNESCO's International Literacy Year. Presents alternative ways of overcoming illiteracy in Latin America. Suggests major contributing factors concern the region's weak economy. Argues the state's role is decisive in transferring resources to marginal sectors. Views literacy as a basic human right and that it allows for democratic…

Criticizes primacy of the Eurocentric world view in social studies education. Argues that demographic realities demand that students understand and respect disparate, pluralistic values. Recommends curricular emphases and classroom methods for fostering analysis, clarification, and integration of differing ideologies. Contends that social studies…