Introduction to Amnesty and human rights

The Human Rights Academy is a free online learning platform that allows participants to embark on a self-paced learning journey to understand the principles of human rights and how to use them as a tool for positive change.

We believe that knowledge of rights is essential for claiming them, defending them, and promoting them and hope that our courses will inspire you to take action.

Below or a selection of introductory courses to introduce people to Amnesty, human rights, and more. If you have any queries or feedback, and would like to get in touch with the Human Rights Education Team, please email [email protected]

Are you new to Amnesty International or curious about the world’s largest non-governmental human rights organisation?

This course introduces you to Amnesty’s origins, vision, and global impact. You’ll explore how Amnesty works to protect and promote human rights nationally and internationally, discover the power of its people-driven movement, and learn practical ways to take action. By the end, you’ll understand what inspires millions to stand up for human rights and how you can play a part in creating a fairer, more just world.

Are you looking to learn what human rights are or looking for new skills to defend them?

Discover how human rights shape your everyday life and gain practical tools to take action. This self-paced, 90-minute course combines videos, quizzes, case studies, and interactive exercises across four short modules. By the end of the course, you’ll feel confident explaining what human rights are and have the knowledge and skills to defend and promote them, empowering you to make a real difference.

Interested in learning more about teaching others on the importance of human rights?

In this course, you’ll discover why human rights education matters, and learn practical skills to design inclusive, engaging learning spaces. Whether you’re an educator, activist, or just starting out, you’ll gain tools to plan impactful lessons, foster safe participation, and inspire action. By the end, you’ll be ready to create accessible activities and lead with confidence.

Are you looking to explore the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and discover its power to transform lives?

Developed by Amnesty, and delivered through FutureLearn, this free course shows how the UDHR shapes dignity and equality worldwide, and how it impacts daily life. You’ll learn what human rights are in relation to the UDHR, why they matter, and how to claim and defend them for yourself and others. Through interactive activities, you’ll explore discrimination, assess inequality, and find practical ways to take action for a fairer, more inclusive society.

Find more online courses on Futurelearn, Amnesty International’s Human Rights Academy and Human Rights Workout.

For a more related resources and recommended reads organised by topic, why not explore our Knowledge Hub.

If there is any learning content that you would like to see on this page, or think we should prioritise, please email [email protected]. We collate all suggestions to help us plan and prioritise future learning and training content. We cannot guarantee that anything you request will be created.