Human Rights & Courage
A year for those of you who care about people, the environment and justice – and want to make a difference.
At Human Rights & Courage you will learn about democracy, sustainability and community in practice – together with the Rafto Foundation, Fargespill and Sustainable Lives.
Understand more. Reflect deeper. Act wiser.
The fight for a just society –
from action to attitude
Do you have a commitment to people, justice, and the world around you – and a desire to make a difference?
At Human Rights & Courage you will explore what it means to stand up for your own rights and the rights of others – and how you can contribute to a more just, sustainable, and inclusive society in practice. Together with engaged fellow students and organizations that truly take action, you will have a year that challenges you, inspires you – and makes you wiser.
This is the course for those who don't just want to have an opinion – but to understand, reflect, and act.
A year with meaning
You will learn about human rights, democracy, and sustainability – but also about yourself and how you can use your voice in facing the world.
Through projects, collaborations, and travels, you will experience how courage, community, and knowledge can change both you and your surroundings.
The year will be a mix of conversations, lectures, creativity, practice, and experiences. You will meet people who have dedicated their lives to justice and community, and you will get to try your hand at creating change – in small and larger formats.
Collaboration and real encounters
The line has been developed in collaboration with the Rafto Foundation and Sustainable Living – two strong forces with roots in Bergen , who in their own way work for freedom, diversity and sustainable communities.
The Rafto Foundation gives you insight into democracy and human rights – locally and globally. You will participate in projects, seminars and internships, to understand more about the importance of democracy, equality and the possibility of change.
Fargespill shows how art, diversity and the joy of creation can build bridges between people. You will take part in projects where music, dance and stories become a community.
Sustainable Lives takes you into the green everyday life – where sustainability is as much about climate, consumption, and nature conservation as it is about people, well-being, and local communities. Together, you will explore how small actions in the neighborhood can have major ripple effects for the community.
Study trip - Europe with meaning
A highlight of the year will be a 12–14 day Interrail trip in Europe, where we plan the journey together.
We will visit places that tell the story of people's struggle for freedom, equality, and justice – and places that point towards a greener, more just future.
Examples of destinations:
Berlin – human rights work, memorial sites, and street art as political expression
Amsterdam – Anne Frank's House and the Jewish Museum
Ecovillage Sieben Linden (Germany) – an eco-community that lives out sustainability in practice
Poland and Germany – memorial sites from the Holocaust
Copenhagen – visits to human rights and climate organizations
Denmark - visits to other inspiring folk high schools that are working for the same changes as us
The trip is not just for the sake of traveling, but for insight and reflection – about the wounds of the past and the hopeful and bright possibilities of the future.
A community for the future
Everyday school life at Fana is characterized by community, nature and cultural diversity.
Here you will meet fellow students from all over the world – many through the NLC (Norwegian Language and Culture) program – and together we create an environment with different experiences, perspectives and stories.
It provides a unique framework for learning about human rights and sustainability – not just in theory, but in practice.
You will get:
An engaging year with meaning, learning, and action
Knowledge about human rights, democracy, and sustainability
Collaboration with the Rafto Foundation, Fargespill and Sustainable Lives
Opportunity for practical training and projects with real community stakeholders
A study trip in Europe with the theme of freedom, community, sustainability, and hope for the future
An inclusive community with students from all over the world and a personal network of «allied» professionals and individuals.
A certificate and experience that can strengthen both your CV and further studies
Practical info
-
We don't expect you to know everything – but that you are curious.
That you dare to ask questions, listen, share, and participate.
This is a year for those of you who want to get involved, collaborate, and challenge your own perspectives. You don't have to be an activist – just genuinely interested in people, the world, and the possibility of change. -
You will learn about human rights, democracy, sustainability, and how everything is connected.
Through projects, meetings, and collaborations, you will gain experience in how values such as freedom, community, and responsibility can be turned into action – in the local community, in Europe, and in your own life.
You will gain practical experience in communication, collaboration, creative dissemination, and how small initiatives can create large ripple effects. -
You don't need any prior knowledge – just commitment and a willingness to participate.
We build the teaching based on the group and emphasize diversity in background, experience, and perspective.
All you need is openness, commitment, and a desire to contribute to a slightly better world, in the midst of everything.