Young people across Greater Manchester are reimagining the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights, bringing it to life via poetry.
The charity Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights UK (RFK Human Rights UK) in partnership with creative and cultural education charity, Curious Minds, have enlisted the help of schools from across the region to produce a ‘Poetic Universal Declaration of Human Rights’, consisting of 30 original poems inspired by each article.
An expert panel of judges, including local writer and artist Keisha Thompson, will select the final 30 poems which will be unveiled online here on December 10th – Human Rights Day.
15 local schools are participating, including Lily Lane Primary School in Moston and Abraham Moss Community School in Crumpsall.
Created by Manchester’s youth
RFK Human Rights UK’s first Poetic Declaration was unveiled at the Ripples of Hope festival at HOME in September 2021. Curated by Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, it featured contributions from 30 of the world’s leading poets.
RFK Human Rights UK is now partnering with cities across the UK, starting with Manchester, to create a Poetic Universal Declaration of Human Rights that highlights the experience of young people in each city, envisioning the future they want to build.
The project has been developed in partnership with North West-based charity Curious Minds, which works to improve the lives of children and young people by making creative learning opportunities more readily available.
Nichola Watson, Executive Director at RFK Human Rights UK, said: “Poetry is a fantastic way to bring human rights to life in the classroom, and the Poetic Declaration enables students to engage with issues that will have a lasting impact on their future. We’re delighted to be working with young people across Manchester, continuing the conversation started by our poets back in September.”
Kelly Allen, Executive Director of Social Justice at Curious Minds, added: “We are thrilled to be working with RFK Human Rights UK on this project, united by our shared goal of improving the lives of young people and making a positive impact through art and culture. RFK Human Rights UK’s education programme offers the students of Manchester a unique opportunity to engage deeply with human rights and understand the importance of their own voice.”