May 2013

The AERA Council unanimously approved an Association Statement on Human Rights during its meeting on April 27, 2013. The AERA Statement on Human Rights codifies the Association’s commitment to ensuring the protection of all scholars and the freedom of persons to engage in and benefit from the free exchange of ideas.

In adopting the statement, AERA endorses the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), particularly Article 19, on the right to freedom of opinion and expression, and Article 26, on education as a human right. On the latter, the statement asserts, “As an Association dedicated to scientific inquiry to advance education and learning, AERA maintains that all individuals have a right to education whereby they may acquire the basic tools and capacities that enable them to lead healthy and productive lives.”

AERA also endorses Articles 13 and 15 of the International Covenant of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which address the right to education and the right to enjoy the benefits of science and its applications, respectively.

Executive Director Felice J. Levine emphasized the importance of AERA’s issuing this statement. “Whether within our own borders or globally,” she said, “AERA is strong in its support of education as a human right and of the right of all people to benefit from our science.”

The AERA Statement on Human Rights is part of the AERA’s ongoing work on human rights issues. The AERA Code of Ethics, approved by Council in 2011, addresses several issues in the AERA Human Rights Statement—harassment, avoiding harm, and the protection of vulnerable populations. In addition, AERA Council endorsed the AAAS Resolution on Free and Open Exchange in 2006. AERA is also a founding member of the AAAS Science and Human Rights Coalition and is a member of Scholars at Risk.