LIFT OFF is an exciting cross-border primary education initiative for primary schools in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland which has been developed by teachers in partnership with Amnesty International (UK / Irish Section), the Ulster Teachers’ Union (UTU) and the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO). This partnership is advised by a committee which includes the Human Rights Commissions (Irish / NI), Departments of Education and curriculum bodies in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. It also enjoys the financial and practical support of the Department of Education and Science in the Republic of Ireland, the Department of Education for Northern Ireland, and Irish Aid.
LIFT OFF is based on the fundamental principles of human rights as outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. These are drawn on to encourage attitudes of respect, mutual understanding and equality both within the school community as well as within the wider local and global contexts.
Our Aims
Formally established in 2001, LIFT OFF primarily aims to encourage the development of a human rights culture on the island of Ireland by promoting and supporting the mainstreaming of human rights education (HRE) in the primary education system of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. It further aims to:
