Equitas – International Centre for Human Rights Education is a non-profit organization that advances equality, social justice and respect for human dignity through innovative education programs in Canada and around the world. They equip frontline human rights defenders and educators, government institutions and children and youth with knowledge, skills and values to build a global culture of human rights.

Working in partnership with local organizations, Equitas programs empower individuals and communities to promote progressive change and to confront abuses of power. As a result of the success of programs such as the annual International Human Rights Training Program and Play it Fair! Equitas has built a reputation as a global leader in the field of human rights education and training.

Equitas was founded in Montreal in 1967 by a group of eminent Canadian scholars and social activists, including the co-drafter of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, John P. Humphrey, women’s rights activist Thérèse Casgrain and the “ambassador of persons with disabilities”, Dr. Gustave Gingras.

The co-founders strongly believed that education in the field of human rights would lead to more social justice.

Equitas, formerly known as the Canadian Human Rights Foundation, was created to transform that belief into reality.

Equitas’ programs provide frontline human rights defenders and educators, government officials as well as children and youth with the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to promote human rights values and to combat inequality, exclusion and other forms of human rights abuse. Equitas’ education programs are effective and recognized internationally because of the innovative methodology, the global reach of the networks and the strength of the partnerships.

Equitas programs translate international, regional and domestic human rights standards into highly effective tools for empowerment, particularly for marginalized or vulnerable groups. The Equitas approach to human rights education opens important avenues for all groups in society to participate in decision-making processes and to hold governments more accountable for actions or inaction that contribute to human rights violations.