As Dutch is the working language of our organisation we do not offer much information in other languages.

Educational materials

A series of 30 illustrations, on each of the 30 articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to be used in e.g. the 'matching game', is available here, only for non-commercial educational purposes, as a pdf-document, to be downloaded and printed on A4 (6,5 MB, 30 p). An overview of these illustrations is available via a webpage with thumbnails.

A Europe of Human Rights is the title of an educational resource that was produced some years ago in the context of a European project. It consists of a series of 10 nice coloured pictures which tell a story, to be used in the classroom with 10-12 year old children, about the origin of human rights and of Europe. Each of the pictures is accompanied by some text explaining it and by suggestions for further classroom activities. It is also available as a pdf-document.

Our vision and mission
- As adopted by the Board on the 7th of May 2000. -

VORMEN is an independent, apolitical and non-commercial organization which strives to improve and promote human rights education in the different areas of the Flemish society.

VORMEN defines human rights education as a combination of activities enabling people to

• gather knowledge and understanding of
  - human rights concepts and the underlying values
  - instruments investigating and protecting human rights
• acquire the skills essential to respect and enforce human rights
• adopt values and attitudes
  - that contribute to the establishment of equal rights for all
  - which encourages action for the protection of human rights

Throughout its activities, VORMEN will focus on the entire spectrum of human rights established in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as well as in other general standards and treaties, both national and international (e.g. International Convention on the Rights of the Child). Projects such as the creation of a third generation of human rights standards (e.g. the right to development, the right to a healthy environment, ...) and the abolition of the death penalty will also lie within its scope, which emphasizes the universal, indivisible and interdependent character of human rights.

VORMEN wants to contribute to

• the integration of human rights education into the policy of all relevant administrations and educational organizations
• the enhancement of human rights education skills and interests amongst education staff
• a greater attention to human rights in occupations in which the issue of human rights is frequently addressed. (e.g. police, military, development co-operations, ...)
• a larger public appeal for human rights awareness
• an increase in Flemish expertise concerning human rights education, which can be shared with various Flemish and global administrations and organizations.

VORMEN attempts to realize this through

• influential work towards the relevant policy makers
• "second platform work" (offering education and educational tools to people active in the field of education as well as advise/training to the second platform workers themselves)
• specialized "first platform work" (providing specialized human rights education to professionals who are regularly confronted with the issue of human rights)
• initiatives towards the public.

VORMEN shall focus on

• activities complementary to the work of the existing human rights organizations
• impartiality concerning political systems, ideologies, parties and pressure groups
• useful cooperation with other organizations
• considering the enrollment of new members only as a secondary goal of the activities
• respect for the established "best practices" in every field of activity (multidisciplinary approach, participative methodology, relevancy for the immediate environment, non-intellectualistic, good governance, gender perspective, communicative strategy, ...)
• use of available media and techniques
• application of the underlying human right values and principles in the own organization
• equal opportunities for women, foreigners, ... regarding employment

More information is not available in English on this site.
However, you can contact us so we can be at your service.