This article opens with a proposed framework for human rights education (HRE), which synthesizes ideas drawn from Zinn's people's history, Sen's theory of justice and Freire's critical pedagogy. A review of the literature on HRE and human rights-based learning suggests three existent interrelated models of HRE. Drawing on human rights-based programmes designed to benefit Philippine society, this article then presents case studies in which programme participants actively struggle against social injustice. As an integral part of the learning process, co-learners envision a just and peaceful society, plan for change and engage in direct social action. New volunteers are continually mobilized to participate in community service and contribute to social action that benefits and empowers hitherto oppressed people and minorities. The article concludes with a proposal for an interactive model of human rights-based learning which aims to build on the HRE framework inspired by Zinn, Sen and Freire. (Contains 3 tables and 4 figures.)