crimes committed by totalitarian regimes - Ministrstvo za pravosodje

Crimes committed by totalitarian regimes
of the central concerns of Slovenian democratic society. Political pluralism has become a common
standard of living in Slovenia. Respect for human rights is an objective of civic education, ethic and
social studies curricula and also one of the main objectives of the history curriculum.
2. Discussing themes that hurt
My intention is not to talk about crime and punishment; I would like to discuss if it is wise to talk
about things that hurt.
My answer is YES, and I practise collection and analysis of oral history of the 20 th century with
my students very often. This method gives students the possibility to experience and look at the lives
of ordinary people; it offers the story which is sometimes missing when we speak about historical
processes and events; it gives students information on people that are usually not spoken about; it offers
a different point of view (in comparison with mass media, historians, history books etc), it gives students
the possibility to practice key historical concepts like continuity and change, chronology and narrative,
causation. It develops the key historical skills (formulating relevant questions, examining historical issues,
evaluation of sources, structuring of information, critical analysis, reaching some conclusions etc).
3. The role of education and history education
Dealing with topics that might hurt (i.e. controversial and sensitive issues) was an essential part
of the project “Human Rights and History Education” that lasted from 2005 to 2008, organized in
cooperation with the Slovenian History Teachers’ Association, the Ministry of Education and Sport of
Slovenia, and EUROCLIO – European Standing Conference of History Teachers.
We have been mindful of this question: how best to tackle this vital topic with young people in
order to create responsible and active citizens who value, respect and defend human rights?
It is important to consider how education can encourage young people to become active, positive
participants in civil society who value their rights and responsibilities as part of the democratic process.
History and history teaching have much to contribute to this process, and to the promotion of social
cohesion, international understanding, and respect for diversity and human rights.
Teaching about the violation of human rights in the past and occasions where they have been
violated and protected, especially in the totalitarian regimes, raises a series of interesting questions:
– What can history show about the awareness of, and respect for, human rights in the past?
– What can we ‘learn’ cases where human rights have been violated?
– How do different historical periods, different societies, different cultures demonstrate important
messages about human rights?
– How does the teaching of history contribute to the promotion of positive values about human
rights among young people?
– How much coverage of human rights issues is given in the history curricula and textbooks of
different parts of Europe and what constitutes ‘good’ or even ‘best’ practice in teaching about
human rights?
– How can we learn from each other in preparing young people to be active, engaged citizens in a
21 st century global society?
Within the project “Human Rights and History Education”, we tried to:
– Provide professional development for the participants.
– Share the Slovenian experience including case studies about the totalitarian regime in Slovenia.
– Discuss and develop guidelines and present examples of good practice in human rights
education.
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