The Academy for Human Rights
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    • 2023 Summer Symposium >
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History of the Academy

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Founded in 2008 by several teachers in the Buffalo, NY region, the Academy for Human Rights (formerly known as The Summer Institute for Human Rights) was originally created to host a summer program for high school students interested in politics, history, international relations, the social sciences, and for those who wanted to learn more about impacting social justice in a positive way.

​Recognized by C-SPAN, and the winner of both local and national education awards, the annual week-long Summer Symposium provides participants with the opportunity to learn from human rights experts, historians, and advocates, and to take part in hands-on activities, discussions, and field trips – all to inspire students to take positive, meaningful action towards changing their world. Many AHR alumni have pursued careers in journalism, law, politics, medicine, education, and human services.

Each year, the student Summer Symposium runs for five days in July at the Erie 1 BOCES Center located in West Seneca, NY. Participants include incoming 9th graders through exiting high school seniors, as well as interested elementary and secondary educators from private and public institutions from all over Western New York. Full details including schedule, speakers, and tuition can be found on the Summer Symposium page. 
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​Teacher Development

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In 2015, realizing the exponential power of training educators to address human rights issues with their students, the Academy for Human Rights expanded its impact by offering teacher professional development opportunities throughout the year. Our teacher programs include noted speakers (such as American free-speech activist Mary Beth Tinker, of the landmark 1969 Tinker vs. Des Moines Independent School District Supreme Court case, and Terrence Roberts, one of nine African American students who helped integrate Little Rock schools in 1957), and complete lesson plans and materials to cover an array of topics including the conflict in Syria, immigration, civil rights, fake news, climate change, and other pressing issues of our times. Led by our nationally-recognized, award winning staff, we look forward to working together with you to repair the world, one classroom at a time.
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​​Goals Of The Academy

  • To help our participants have the knowledge and skills necessary to lead contributory lives in their communities, nation, and world--especially in the arena of human rights education and genocide prevention.
  • To cultivate the next generation of concerned citizens that are necessary for the health of civil society.
  • ​To provide examples of past and current role models of citizen-leaders that participants can emulate.
  • To empower educators, civic leaders, and citizens to take part in their communities and to promote tolerance, understanding, and our shared humanity.
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Student Programs

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Teacher
​Programs 

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Email

info@academyforhumanrights.org

The Academy for Human Rights, 5999 South Park Avenue, Suite 201, Hamburg, NY 14075


  • Home
  • About Us
    • About
    • Mission & Vision
    • Board Of Directors
    • Our Team
    • News and Annual Reports
    • Contact
  • For Students
    • 2023 Summer Symposium >
      • Internship
    • About the Symposium
    • How the program works
    • Previous Programs
    • Student Comments
  • For Educators
    • Teaching and Learning About Climate
    • Teacher Resources >
      • Buffalo Blackness Resources
      • Social Media and Democracy Teacher Resources
      • Bosnia Teacher Resources
      • Ukraine Teacher Resources
    • About Teacher Trainings
    • Past Teacher Trainings
    • Teacher Comments
    • Reed Taylor Award
  • Donate Now