Teaching human rights for social workers at Charles Sturt University

The aim of this chapter is to provide a critical reflection on why and how social work and human rights have influenced the development of a key subject at Charles Sturt University (CSU). The chapter demonstrates why the teaching of a specific human rights subject is a critical requirement for social work and how human rights are an integral part of the social work profession. The chapter addresses the unique history of the subject at CSU and the innovations in teaching the subject. By integrating the human rights course in its academic curricula, CSU social work and human service discipline fulfils the national and international human rights obligations required of universities in delivering education that leads to a better world for all. It is suggested that teaching human rights in universities is a prerequisite for democratic societies, which highly value principles of mutual understanding, toleration, and the valuing of others’ cultures, traditions, and ethnicities. The human rights teaching staff contribution to research is discussed and the future challenges explored.