Law-Related-Education
"To promote law-related and citizenship education of our youth and our community through interactive educational experiences creating a citizenry that understands its democratic rights and responsibilities"
INTRODUCTION
Law-Related Education (LRE) programmes and curriculum are designed to equip citizens with knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes necessary for participation in our legally complex society.
The assertion that “ignorance of the law is no excuse”, can no longer stand the test of time. The truth is that people cannot be expected to obey laws that they neither know exist nor understand. Therefore, it is important and necessary that the law should be taught to people in society, the non-lawyers.
Citizenship imposes a variety of duties. Foremost, it requires active participation. All too often, however, avenues for participation seem confusing or non-existent, particularly to young people. Second, respect for the law is a mark of respect for the rights of others and an essential ingredient of civil society. At times, this concept may be difficult to understand, particularly for the young who see laws as unreasonable restrictions imposed by adult authorities on their personal freedom rather than as necessary safeguards to protect their rights and the rights of their neighbours.
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the Law-related Education Programmes are to:
• Demystify law and legal proceedings.
• Provide a balanced view of the law.
• Develop critical thinking abilities.
• Prevent delinquent behaviour.
• Increase interaction with members of the legal community.
• Teach youth and adults their rights and responsibilities under the law.
• Help citizens learn how to use the law to improve their life.
• Build law-abiding citizens committed to upholding basic human rights and freedoms.
Some benefits of Law-related Education
• helps youth become effective, law-abiding citizens by promoting civic responsibility and community participation.
• increases young people’s self-esteem and promotes a more favorable attitude toward authority figures.
• can be used in school, counselling, probation, or institutional settings.
• helps to prevent violence and restore mutual respect and civility to community life.
• provides new information, practical advice, and problem-solving opportunities that develop in people the knowledge and skills necessary for participation in society.
• develops court-community partnerships that help understanding of the relevance of law in our democracy.
THE PROGRAMMES
WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR US
Law-related Education requires the participation of civic and traditional leaders, community resource people such as Judges, Lawyers, Police Officers, School Principals and Teachers. You can volunteer your time and experience to work with young people.
Individuals and companies are wanted to sponsor programmes in schools, pay for teacher training, textbooks for students and excursions in field trips. We all must work together to improve the system because democracy is not a spectator sport!
Individuals, Civil Society Organizations, Faith-based groups, Professional Associations, and corporate organizations interested in getting Civic and La-related Education to our children and their Teachers in Schools, Out-of School youth and adults in the communities, are encouraged to contact either Creek and Savannah Partners or our implementing partners, Public Education Works Initiative for discussions of collaborations.
METHODOLOGY
participants in LRE programmes are active, hands-on participants as LRE is characterized by relevant, high-interest training materials. The curriculum includes case studies, mock trials, role plays, small group exercises and visual analysis activities.
Community resource persons who work within the legal system are an important part of the LRE team. For optimal knowledge and results, the programme involves an encounter with community resource people from the justice system such as Judges, Lawyers, and Police Officers.
Our interactive approach uses cooperative learning strategies, including small-group exercises, simulations, continuous, role-plays, and visual and auditory analysis. Participants also acquire community experiences such as court tours and police ride-along. An approach that helps develop the social skills necessary to interact with other people.
This methodology allows participants to be active participants in their own education. In this way, we hope to promote in the people, a willingness and capability to participate effectively in the legal and political systems.
WHAT WE DO
Under the LRE programme, we support the development of curricula, lesson plans, Teachers training, and programmes implementation to help teachers teach civic and Law-related education to our youth and communities. We also provide technical assistance and curriculum materials to schools, communities, groups, and individuals interested in establishing law-related education programmes.
