Human Rights

Introduction

Even though the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was signed in 1948, today human rights violations are rampant throughout our world.  Recently, we have been focusing on the saying, "Just because it isn't happening here, doesn't mean it isn't happening."

The first step to ending human rights violations is making people aware that it is happening.  When people are faced with a difficult situation, they can act in one of two ways - ignore it as if it doesn't exist or be a part of the solution.

Task

For this project, you will work in pairs.  You will be randomly put in pairs - based on the sticks :).

You will choose a Human Rights issue, research it, and plan a presentation to give to the class which will include:

  • an overview of the issue (what it is?)
  • a country where this issue is currently a problem
  • the person or group responsible for the violations
  • the victims of the violation
  • any help or aid that is being made to stop the problem

All of your research will be gathered in the google form at this link: http://goo.gl/forms/zEJtDEsBeo 

When your research is complete, you will create a glog using www.glogster.com to present it to the class.

Process

REMEMBER:  RECORD ALL OF YOUR ANSWERS IN THE GOOGLE FORM.

  1. Watch "The Story of Human Rights" and be able to define what human rights is.
  2. Use the following link to define a humanitarian.  http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/humanitarian?s=t
  3. Read through the following pages.
    1. http://www.humanrights.com/what-are-human-rights/violations-of-human-rights/article-3.html
    2. http://www.humanrights.com/what-are-human-rights/violations-of-human-rights/slavery-and-torture.html
    3. http://www.humanrights.com/what-are-human-rights/violations-of-human-rights/freedom-to-move-and-thought.html
    4. http://www.humanrights.com/what-are-human-rights/violations-of-human-rights/expression.html
    5. http://www.humanrights.com/what-are-human-rights/violations-of-human-rights/democracy.html
  4. Choose one that interests you the most.
  5. Write a brief description of this human rights violation.
  6. Go to the following site and browse through the continents and then the countries to find a country that is violating the human rights you are interested: http://www.amnestyusa.org/our-work/countries
  7. Answer the remainder of the questions on the google form.
  8. Choose from the following list of celebrities and google "humanitarian work of (your person)" 

             Mother Theresa, Angeliina Jolie, Oprah Winfrey, Taylor Swift, Scarlett Johansson, Audrey Hepburn, Bill Gates,  

             Bono (lead singer for U2), Michael Jackson, George Clooney, Levi Strauss, Lance Armstrong, Prince William, 

             Prince Harry, Mark Zuckerberg, John Cena, Ben Affleck, Channing Tatum

       9. Go to www.glogster.com to create a glog to present your research.  Your glog should include:

    1. title of the human right violation
    2. picture/map showing your country
    3. 3-4 pictures to help as you describe the problem in the country
    4. a description of the problem
    5. the humanitarian(s) trying to make a difference in your human rights violation
    6. a picture of your celebrity humanitarian and a brief description of what they are doing
    7. picture(s) of how you are trying to make a difference (extra credit - volunteer work - at least 1 hour)

Evaluation

 This will be handed out to you.

Conclusion

Remember that my goal for you is to open your eyes to the world outside yours.  I hope that you will begin to make a difference right where you are and then let that expand to the world beyond you.  Enjoy your journey and as Gandhi said, "Be the change you wish to see in the world!"