Answer and information pack for teachers

Transcription

1 1 A resource to accompany the magazine to help young people find out about voting and politics in the Derry~Londonderry and Limavady areas. Answer and information pack for teachers Produced by Derry City Council and Limavady Borough Council 2012 with input from local schools and the WELB.

2 2 Introduction This short publication is a basic support pack to assist teachers, youth workers or facilitators using the magazine to work with young people. It provides the answers to some activities and some background information which may be useful for discussion or to put other activities into context. Page 4 H is for History 1. If you didn t have the right to vote would you mind? Whilst initially pupils may not see the significance of having a right to vote, or may not value their right to vote it could be helpful for teachers to encourage reflection on what life could be like in a non-democratic society. What decisions could you not influence? What other freedoms that you take for granted could be taken away from you? Page 5 When on earth? Activity In what year did? Answers: 1a; 2c; 3b; 4c; 5c; 6a; 7c; 8c; 9b; 10b.

3 3 Page 6 Women The fight for rights! 1. How do you think womens lives would be different today if they couldn t vote? There are many different aspects of this which pupils and teachers may pick up on. Importantly the right to vote was a highly significant breakthrough as it opened the door to politicians having to listen to the views of women on a much wider range of issues and to take on board these concerns in order to win their vote. The right to vote was key in eventually securing other rights and equality for women. Page 8 USA Civil Rights Movement What consequences did some black Americans face for trying to register to vote? 2. Why do you think black Americans felt it was worth struggling to get the vote despite such opposition? 3. Do you think non-violence was the right choice of tactic in the context of the USA? Pupils will have a range of opinions on these issues. Teachers may want to ensure pupils were aware the impacts were on many levels physical, social, emotional, financial and psychological. There may also be debate around when it is or is not justifiable to use violence. Teachers should be aware that this debate has some resonance with the history of Northern Ireland and to a lesser extent to society here today or internationally.

4 4 Page 10 The Northern Ireland Civil Rights Campaign 1. How do you feel Northern Ireland changed between 1968 and today to be fairer? There may be a wide range of knowledge or lack of awareness in young people today around the NI Civil Rights Movement and the history of the 20th Century here. Much of what young people may have heard will be anecdotal or be from the perspective of their own family or community experiences. Teachers may wish to explore this. Teachers may have more general awareness of the differences in society in 1968 and today and also of the changes that have impacted society generally since the 1998 Good Friday peace agreement. 2. Why do you think people here felt it was so important to get One Man, One Vote? 3. Does knowing this local history make you more or less likely to use your vote? Pupils awareness of local history around voting rights may range considerably. Teachers may wish to encourage pupils to see that the development of voting rights is not just an international issue but that it has been pertinent locally. Page 12 My thoughts 1. In the thought bubble below fill in something you have learned or which has made you think now you have completed the History section. This activity is entirely at the pupils own discretion there is no right or wrong answer. Teachers may wish pupils to share on and reflect on their learning collectively as well as individually. Across the world 1. Are you aware of any countries today where people do not have the same freedom as here? 2. What do you think can be the consequences of people not having the right to vote or have a say in how their country is run? Teachers should encourage pupils to think internationally or around democracy issues they are aware of in current affairs. Many Middle Eastern countries for example have recently been facing issues around democracy. The consequences of not having the right to vote may result in civil unrest and conflict. It can also result in international sanctions including economic negative impacts for a country. The social and psychological impacts of lack of freedom of expression can also be very negative.

5 5 Page 13 H is for History What have you learned? 1. Heads and Tails - Answers: Election Suffragette Civil Disobedience NICRA One man, one vote! Gerrymandering Special Powers Act Direct Rule When people vote to decide who will run their country or organisation. A woman who fought, sometimes violently, for the right to vote. A tactic used in the USA to get Black Americans the right to vote. Was the name for a Civil Rights organisation in Northern Ireland. Was a slogan in the civil rights movement in the north of Ireland. The unfair setting of electoral boundaries to get particular election results. A law which meant people could be kept in prison without trial. Was when Northern Ireland was run by the British Westminster government. 2. Name that person Answers: a. Martin Luther King was a Baptist Minister who was an American Civil Rights leader. b. Emily Davison was a woman who was killed trying to campaign for the right to vote. c. Terence O Neill was a Unionist Prime Minister who agreed to change in N.I. d. James Craig was the first Prime Minister of Northern Ireland. e. Éamonn De Valera was a key Irish leader when Ireland was split in two parts. 3. Fill in 4 things on the chart. Pupils answers may vary here depending on their own political perspectives. They may select answers such as changes in voting rights, housing allocation, powers held by local councils or the ombudsman. Alternatively they may refer to increased equality or issues from their own knowledge such as policing. Teachers may wish to use these responses as a basis for general discussion on whether there is greater equality in Northern Ireland today or not and to discuss whether young people were aware of the issues in the past or how changes have impact their lives today.

6 6 Page 14 What is identity? 1. What are the key things which make up your identity? 2. If you had to pick out the 3 most important things that define you what would they be? There are clearly no right and wrong answers here. The purpose of the questions is to get young people thinking about their identity. Identity during The Troubles Activity 1. In the speech bubble above write your view about what started the troubles. 2. your view with the rest of your group or class. There is no single agreed simple answer as to what started the troubles. Different people will have different perspectives depending on what they have heard or studied. The purpose of the questions is to begin to make pupils aware of how politics, religion, nationality etc. and different elements of identity have got mixed together here. Page 15 Two main identities? 1. Were The Troubles a conflict about identity? 2. Does it still matter today? There is again no right or wrong answer here. The purpose of this discussion is to encourage young people to consider that society today is more diverse than 2 main communities.

7 7 Page 16 Identity quiz Activity 1. Read the following statements and decide whether you think they are true or false. All the answers are in fact true. Statement: There are over 55 nationalities living in the North West today. Roughly as many Protestants as Catholics died in The Troubles. A Pride festival is held annually in the North West. 1 in 5 people (340,000 in total) in Northern Ireland have a disability. Many Irish Travellers in the North West live in houses. Sectarian and Racist Hate Crime is on the increase in the Foyle area. For Teacher Information Whilst there are substantial Irish Traveller, Polish, Chinese, Indian and African Communities here there are people living here from across the globe in smaller numbers. These include migrant workers, international students and individuals married to local people. People may be more aware of deaths within their own community than other communities. Of 3601 deaths 43% were Catholic, 30% Protestant, 9% were not known (but this was mainly security force personnel for whom religion was not registered at the time, but likely to have been predominantly Protestant ), and 18% were not from NI. 91% were male. Over half were in their 20 s. (source: Towards Understanding and Healing Training Manual. O Hagan). The Pride Festival, usually held in August in Derry~Londonderry, is an annual event for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community. This figure includes people born with a disability as well as those who became disabled later. The figure is higher in Northern Ireland than in other parts of the UK and Ireland, possibly as a direct result of the Troubles. Being and Irish Traveller is a cultural identity it doesn t simply mean someone who lives in a caravan. Irish travellers have their own distinct cultural traditions, values and languages. From 07/08 09/10 racist motivated hate crime increased by 267% (From 15 to 55 reported incidents). In the same time sectarian motivated hate crime rose from 120 to 184 incidents a rise of 53%. Reporting and policing levels do impact statistics but the trends are still negative.

8 8 In Derry~ Londonderry less than 500 Protestants live on the Cityside there used to be 18,000 Protestants living there. Hate crime against Irish travellers is racism and they are the most discriminated against group in the North West. The North West is one of the poorest areas in Northern Ireland. There is a Sikh Gurdwara (Temple) in Derry~Londonderry LGBTQ is an acronym some people in the North West see as part of their identity. Walls and fences still divide some Catholic and Protestant housing estates in the North West. Christmas, Ramadan, Onam, Diwali and Naw-Rúz are all religious festivals celebrated in the North West. Roughly half the names on the Diamond War memorial in Derry~Londonderry are Catholics. The dragon was significant in 2012 in the North West. There were street parties held locally for the Royal Wedding in 2011 and Diamond Jubilee in During the Troubles in the 1970 s thousands of Protestants left their homes on the Cityside and moved to the Waterside or neighbouring areas such as Limavady or Coleraine. Today the Fountain Estate is the only remaining Protestant Estate on the Cityside. The Irish Traveller identity is specifically covered under racial legislation in Northern Ireland. Teachers may wish to make pupils aware that calling someone gypsy as a derogatory term in school for example is actually racist and is based on a negative stereotype of Irish Travellers. Areas with the highest statistics across the North for deprivation are Belfast, Strabane and Derry~Londonderry. If Strabane and Derry City Council merge under the review of public administration they will potentially be the poorest council area. Many council estates in the Derry City Council area are in the top 10% most deprived in Northern Ireland. The Gurdwara is on Simpsons Brae in the Waterside. The Sikh Community have been present in the city since after World War II. LGBTQ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and questioning. There are 3 specific interfaces in the Derry~Londonderry area: The Fountain / Bogside; Tullyally / Currynierin; Irish Street / Top of the Hill. Security cameras monitor the interfaces. Locally violence at interfaces is on the decrease and it should be noted that it is not always residents from the areas concerned who are involved in any violence. Christmas is an important Christian celebration. Ramadan is a season of fasting and prayer in the Muslim community. Onam is a harvest festival and Diwali is a festival of lights associated with the Indian Community. Naw Rúz is a Bahá í celebration. All these faiths are represented in the North West. Remembrance of WWI and the wearing of the poppy was once perceived as being more part of the Protestant / Unionist tradition. More recently much Community Relations work in both communities has shown that nationalists and unionists fought together on the same side in the Great War. The Chinese zodiac attributes an animal to each year was the year of the dragon is the year of the snake the year of the horse and 2015 the year of the sheep. Occasions connected to the British royalty are of particular significance in the Protestant, Unionist and Loyalist communities of the North West. The events are also of significance to people from Commonwealth countries and to others out of general interest.

9 9 The Day of Vindication is very significant to many in the North West. There is a Hindu Temple in Letterkenny. The 1916 Easter Rising is commemorated locally every year. In 2010 there were over 4000 reported incidents of Domestic Violence in G District (Foyle, Limavady, Strabane, Magherafelt area). About 75% of the population in the Foyle area is Catholic. French, Tagalog, Shelta, Farsi, Irish, Polish, Cantonese, Japanese, Spanish and Malayalam are amongst 70 different languages spoken in Derry~Londonderry. Many tunes played by loyalist flute bands and traditional Irish musicians have the same melodies. Derry~Londonderry is the UK City of Culture in 2013 The North West has a higher than average % of young people living here. The 15th June is the anniversary of the 2010 publication of the Saville Report into the events of Bloody Sunday. This date is of significance to many in Derry and specifically to the relatives of those killed or injured on Bloody Sunday. The Hindu religion is practised primarily by people from the local Indian Community. The Hindu Temple in Letterkenny is the only Hindu temple in Ireland. The Indian Community also includes those of Sikh and Christian Faiths. Interfaith North West is an umbrella group representing all faiths locally. Easter Rising Commemorations and the wearing of an Easter Lily is traditionally associated with the Republican Community. Commemorations vary in style from public events, marches and ceremonies. Domestic Violence continues to be a serious issue in the local area. Women are the majority of victims of domestic violence, but a small proportion of domestic violence is also perpetrated by women on men or within same-sex relationships. The Womens Community Sector in the North West has some well established support groups to help victims. Domestic violence is not only physical violence but can also be emotional or mental. Census figures indicate 75% Catholic, 23-24% Protestant, and 1-2% Other. European languages may be the first language of many international students and also of migrants of former colonies in Africa and Latin America for example. Tagalog (Filipino Community); Farsi (Iranian Community) and Malayalam (Kerala / Indian Community) are spoken here as many NHS staff have been recruited from abroad to fill vacancies locally. Shelta is an Irish Traveller language. Cantonese is spoken by the Hong Kong Chinese Community. There are a number of Irish language schools in the North West. Research has shown that there is a lot of musical overlap between communities. The titles or rhythm of tunes may differ but many of the melodies are highly similar includes a wide range of programming from different cultures and identities represented locally. Northern Ireland has on average 21.5% of its population under 16. The figure for the North West is approximately 24%. (2008 statistics). 1. Before you find out the answers, discuss collectively what you think the correct answers are. 2. Once you know the correct answers, discuss anything which surprised you.

10 10 Page 18 Political Identity 1. Do you believe religion and political identities have to be linked? (Or for example can a Protestant be a Nationalist or a Catholic be a Unionist?) Responses to this question will be a matter of opinion. Most people still tend to vote along traditional Catholic / Nationalist / Protestant / Unionist lines however increasingly there is apathy among the electorate and turnouts are reducing. There are also examples of politicians standing as Independent in recent elections. Whether local politics is moving to be more issue based or is it still centred around the national question is very much open to discussion. Page 19 The French Connection 1. How would you describe your political identity? 2. In most European countries, political parties usually divide around left/centre/right political opinion. Do you think this is true in Northern Ireland? 3. Who or what do you think has influenced your own politics? The answers here will be very subjective with no clear right or wrong answers. The purpose is to encourage young people to be familiar with political terms and think about and articulate their own views. Expressing political identity 1. If a friend wanted to make a change in society what courses of action could they take? 2. What could be the consequences or outcomes of their actions? 3. What actions would you encourage or discourage them from taking? There are many different answers which can be discussed here. Pupils may consider actions such as lobbying, campaigning, volunteering, writing petitions or letters, joining a community group, joining a political party, social economy work, or developing their own idea to make a difference. Outcomes of our choices can be positive or negative, effective or ineffective. Teachers may also encourage reflection on whether direct action and violence are legitimate activities today or not this discussion could be in a local, national and international contexts.

11 11 Page 20 I m not political but 1. The people below are expressing political opinions do you agree with them all or have you got other opinions about some of them? Page 21 The purpose of this activity is to let pupils see that politics is relevant to day to day issues. Teachers or facilitators may wish to do this activity as a Walking Debate as an alternative to discussion. Teachers may also wish to supplement the statements with up to date issues from the media. The educational maintenance allowance should be scrapped Improving roads in the North West is not important University fees discriminate against students who are less well off It is OK to shoot drug dealers that s justice. I is for Identity What have you learned? 1. Word scramble. Below are some words to do with political identity. Their letters have been scrambled up. Unscramble them to write the correct words in the spaces below. ANTOIRECNVSE Conservative ARILBEL Liberal SICAOSLTI Socialist IONTUNIS - Unionist TATNANIOLIS Nationalist ISTOYLAL Loyalist PERUBILCNA Republican 2. Name two issues which you have strong political opinions about (remember they may be ordinary everyday issues) Answers will range to this. The purpose of the exercise is to make pupils aware that politics can be relevant to their everyday lives. 3. On the diagram below write 4 things which can influence your identity: Answers may include family, friends, community, media, school etc. 4. My Identity In the thought bubble write some words or sentences which describe your own identity. Clearly answers to this will vary. This may be a reflective exercise or could be used for further discussion.

12 12 Page 22 Power to the People 1. What do you think this quote is saying: Bad Officials are elected by Good Citizens who do not Vote (George Jean Nathan). Do you agree with it? The purpose of the question is to encourage discussion about whether not voting actually has an impact. For example, if you don t vote, have you a right to complain about the politicians who are elected or about decisions they make? Page 23 Questions and answers on registering to vote Activity 1. Match up the questions and answers in the speech bubbles. Question Answer D C E B F H G A Page 24 Does X always mark the spot? Activity Read the description of different elections and match them up with the correct ballot paper. First Past The Post X on the ballot paper Referendum Yes / No on the ballot paper Proportional Representation and Single Transferable Vote 1,2,3 on the ballot paper Mr R. Divine PUP Mr C.Lee Independent Mr L. Mac Gabhann IRSP erzba VOTE YES NO Mr A. Bryan SDLP Mrs M. Crawford UUP Ms T. O Gorman SF Mr J. Young DUP

13 13 Page 25 Talking Tactics 1. Can you think of a reason why a person would support one party but still decide to vote for a different party? The purpose of this question is to get pupils to discuss tactical voting. People will have different opinions about whether it is the right thing to do in different circumstances and the type of election may also influence whether people choose to vote tactically. Page 26 Who s in charge? 1. Why do you think it is useful to know who is in charge of what? It can be useful to know who is in charge of what services if something goes wrong with that service or if you have a suggestion for how to improve a service. Sometimes people assume their local council is in charge of everything or can blame council for something which is not a council responsibility. Page 27 Derry City Council and Limavady Borough Council Magilligan Point Activity 1. Put an x where your school is on the map. 2. Circle the logo for the local council area you live in. 1. Can you find where you live on the map? 2. Have you seen your council logo anywhere eg. Buildings, vehicles, public places, publications? A2 Benone To Buncrana To Letterkenny B193 A40 A5 River Foyle To Strabane /Omagh A2 B48 To Moville Lough Foyle Limavady A2 A2 Ballykelly A2 Strathfoyle Eglinton Greysteel Glenhead Derry~Londonderry A2 Drumahoe A6 New Buildings River Faughan B118 B49 A6 B69 Claudy B74 Park B44 Bellarena Feeny B69 B74 B40 B192 River Roe Glebe B66 B37 B201 B66 B64 Dungiven Drumsurn A6 Glenshane Pass To Belfast Be aware that a small number of pupils may not actually live in the Derry or Strabane council areas. Some may live over the border in Donegal County Council or in the Strabane, Coleraine or Magherafelt Council areas even though they attend schools in the Derry~Londonderry or Limavady areas. Pupils may have seen the council logo on recycling centres, bin lorries, street cleansing vehicles, leisure centres, museums, programmes for events like Halloween or jazz festivals, parks and playparks, community and sports events funded by council etc.

14 14 Page 28 What is my council in charge of? Dog Control Swimming Pools Activity 1. The symbols below show some things councils are in charge of. Use the answers in the box to label the symbols. Cemeteries Inspecting Restaurants Sport and Leisure Museums Playgrounds Bin Collections Registering Marriages Local elections Collecting Rates Street Signs Festivals Checking Buildings Helping Communities Recycling 1. What things in your day to day life are affected by your local council? Pupils may or may not be aware of how council services impact them. For example the existence of many leisure centres and some community venues and the activities there are run by council. The Tower Museum is run by Derry City Council. Many local festivals eg. Halloween and fireworks, Christmas switch ons and lights, jazz festivals, St.Patrick s Day events are run by councils. Many community groups, sports groups and arts and culture groups get some funding from councils for their activites this could include summer schemes, sports competitions for example. Often playparks and MUGA s (Multi-Use Games Areas) are built and maintained by councils. Councils are also involved in what pupils may see as more mundane tasks like collecting bins, street cleaning, running cemeteries, inspecting hygiene in food outlets, dog licensing, registering births, deaths and marriages, checking building safety, organising elections etc. Many of these are very essential services it could be worth thinking how life would be different if none of this existed. Councils are also major employers and provide a lot of jobs for local people.

15 15 2. Can you name the Mayor or leader of your local council? Derry City Council has a Mayor and Deputy Mayor these are changed every June. Limavady Borough council has a Chair who is the leader of the council. In Derry~Londonderry there is a voluntary power-sharing arrangement in which in a 4 year period the largest elected party can choose the Mayor for 2 years, the 2nd largest party chooses the Mayor for 1 year and the remaining group (usually the Unionist bloc) chooses the Mayor for 1 year. In any given year if there is a Unionist Mayor there is always a Nationalist/Republican Deputy and vice-versa. Not all councils operate this way. 3. Can you name any of your local councillors? To access a list of the councillors in Limavady or Derry City Councils please go on the respective council website. Page 28 What does Stormont do? 1. There are currently 12 Assembly Departments. Choose the correct label from the box below to match the picture for each department: JOB CENTRE OFMDFM OFMDFM JOB CENTRE Office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) OFMDFM Enterprise, Trade and Investment Employment and Learning Finance and Personnel Agriculture and Rural Development JOB CENTRE Health, Social Services and Public Safety OFMD Culture, Arts and Leisure OFMDFM Justice JOB CENTRE Environment Education OFMDFM Social Development Regional Development

16 16 Page 30 What is Devolution? 1. Which things in your day to day life are affected by decisions at Stormont? Pupils may or may not have reflected before about what aspects of their life are impacted by decisions of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive. For example decisions about education (including transfer tests, university fees, schools closures or new buildings) are taken at Stormont. Work to try to bring new jobs and investment are led by the devolved government. Health is another major area of work led by the devolved government decision on funding hospitals, what medicines are available, whether we pay for prescriptions are just some examples relevant to this. New laws on all sorts of things are made at Stormont. Major funding for roads, public transport, sports and cultural venues, community groups, tourism, agriculture, environment etc are issued by that level of government. Teachers may wish to pick up on things which are topical in the news at the time of teaching. 2. Can you name the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland? These can change but at the time of publication are Mr Peter Robinson and Mr Martin McGuinness. 3. Can you name any local MLA s? The Foyle constituency covers the Derry~Londonderry area and the East Londonderry constituency covers the Limavady area. The MLA s can change but at the time of publication are: Martina Anderson Sinn Féin Foyle Gregory Campbell DUP East Londonderry John Dallat SDLP East Londonderry Mark H Durkan SDLP Foyle Colum Eastwood SDLP Foyle William Hay DUP Foyle Raymond McCartney Sinn Féin Foyle David McClarty Independent East Londonderry Adrian McQuillan DUP East Londonderry Cathal Ó hoisín Sinn Féin East Londonderry Pat Ramsey SDLP Foyle George Robinson DUP East Londonderry

17 17 Page 31 What does Westminster do? 1. What is a manifesto? A document used during an election to show what the party would do if it was elected. 2. What is a coalition? When two or more parties have to work together in government because no single party won a majority. 3. Can you name the British Prime Minister? This can change, but at the time of publication is Mr David Cameron. 4. Can you name your local MP? This can change, but at the time of publication: Mark Durkan SDLP Foyle Gregory Campbell DUP East Londonderry Page 32 What does Dáil Éireann do? 1. Should Irish citizens living in Northern Ireland be able to vote in Irish elections? This is subject to opinion and there is no single correct answer. It was particularly raised as an issue when Martin McGuiness took part in the Presidential campaign of Can you name the President of Ireland? This is subject to change, but at the time of publication is Michael D. Higgins. Page 33 What does the EU do? 1. Do you think the European Union is a good thing for Northern Ireland? There is no single correct answer to this but the purpose of the question is to help pupils be more aware of how the EU does impact Northern Ireland. For example 333 million was given to Northern Ireland and the border counties under Peace III which is the most recent Peace funding

18 18 given out here. Locally many community groups got substantial funding from Peace III and the Peace Bridge also got its funding from this source. A few other facts: EU regional policy tries to help poorer areas catch up with richer areas of the EU. This takes up one third of the EU budget. Between , N.I. benefitted from 1.7 billion in EU structural funds investment. This contributed to developing infrastructure, economic development, job training schemes and environmental work. In addition to this the Peace funding from brought in a further 400 million euro focusing on job creation, social inclusion, urban and rural regeneration and cross-border co-operation. Between NI benefitted from approximately 1 billion in funding under the structural funds and Peace funds. The EU gets its money from the contributions made by member states. The UK is one of the biggest contributors to Europe financially. What each country puts in depends on how wealthy it is. 2. Can you name your MEP s? These are subject to change but at the time of publication are as follows: Diane Dodds, DUP; Bairbre de Brún, Sinn Féin; Jim Nicholson, Conservatives and Unionists. Page 34 Activity 1. Label the photos of famous places to do with politics using the labels below. Dáil Éireann The Guildhall European Parliament 10 Downing Street Stormont Westminster

19 19 Page 35 Political Parties in our local councils (from 2011 election) Activity 1. Use the numbers above to label the political parties correctly on the pie charts. SDLP UUP DUP SF TUV UUP DUP Derry City Council SF SDLP Limavady Borough Council area Page 36 Whose Party? Activity 1. Underneath each logo write the full name of the political party. 2. Below that write whether you think it would best be described as Republican ; Nationalist ; Unionist ; Loyalist ; or Other. The colour and symbolism of the logos will usually give you a good clue! 3. Alliance Other 1. Sinn Féin Republican 6. Democratic Unionist Party Unionist 2. Ulster Unionist Party Unionist 5.Traditional Unionist Voice Unionist 4. Social Democratic and Labour Party Nationalist 7. People Before Profit Alliance Other 8. The Green Party Other 9. Progressive Unionist Party Unionist / Loyalist

20 20 3. Can you name any more political parties? Pupils may name other British, Irish or Northern Irish parties The Conservative Party, The Liberal Democrats, The Labour Party, The Scottish National Party (Scotland), Plaid Cymru (Wales), UK Independence Party; British National Party; Fine Gael; Fianna Fáil; The Workers Party, the Communist Party, The Irish Republican Socialist Party Pupils may also know of parties in other countries eg. Republicans and Democrats in the USA. Page 37 D is for Democracy What have you learned? 1. Write 1 reason why it is important to register to vote. There are many different answers. These may include being able to vote; getting an electoral identity card for ID; easier to get a loan; a way to have your opinions counted 2. Match the following words up with their meaning: Postal vote Proxy vote Polling Day Democracy Electoral Register Ballot Paper First Past The Post PR When you apply to be able to vote in the mail rather than in person. When you allow someone else officially to vote on your behalf. The day an election is held on. When people can vote for their government in a fair system. The list of names and addresses of people who can vote. The page someone uses to vote. A voting system where you vote by writing an x A voting system where you vote by writing 1, 2, 3 etc. 3. Look at the questions below and tick which part of government you think is mainly in charge of the topic NI Assembly Westminster Local Council NI Assembly Local Council European Union Westminster European Union NI Assembly Local Council

21 21 Page 38 What do you think? SF Alliance SDLP DUP SF SDLP SDLP DUP DUP SF UUP TUV This is probably one of the more difficult exercises. It requires pupils to use what they have learned not only about the names of political parties but also about whether those parties are Nationalist, Republican, Unionist or Loyalist and then to translate this understanding into the terminology those parties may use. For example a Unionist party is more likely to refer to the UK whereas a Nationalist or Republican party may be more likely to refer to a 32 County Ireland. The statements also show some evidence of the left-right spectrum differences in how they approach for example the economy or crime. A secondary purpose of the exercise is to show that all political parties will have policies on everyday issues such as education, the environment and health. Politics is not just about the national question. In exercising their right to vote, young people may want to look deeper than just party labels and actually find out what policies parties have. Page 40 E is for Equality 1. What do you feel are the most important issues around equality today? There are no right and wrong answers here and no limit to the range of answers that could be suggested. Teachers may wish to pick up on current issues in the media. Pupils may raise for example gender equality; aspects of how young people are treated; equality in education; the perceived issues East and West of the Bann around jobs and investment; religion may still feature as an issue; treatment of prisoners; issues around disability; issues around income and social status etc. 2. Do you think everyone in Northern Ireland today now feels equal given that we have strong equality laws? If not, why not? The vast majority of people in Northern Ireland today would probably say our society is a lot more equal now than it was previously and that the equality laws have made a difference. Northern Ireland has some of the strongest equality laws in Europe. This does not mean however that we have perfect equality. Sometimes the law in itself is not enough

22 22 mindsets often need challenged about equality and inclusion issues around all sorts of things eg. Treatment of women, carers, people with a learning diability, people of different sexual orientations, migrant workers, people who don t speak English as a first language etc. There have been substantial protests recently around fair treatment of prisoners. Do people with strong political or religious views feel their views are equally respected for example? Is expression of all cultures respected equally eg. Support for loyal orders or for Irish language culture? Many equality issues can also overlap with human rights issues. Clearly all this is a matter of opinion and there are no specific right or wrong answers. Page 41 European Convention of Human Rights 1. All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. 2. Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration. This is about the right to: 1. Why are written agreements on human rights needed? There are no right and wrong answers here the purpose is to get pupils talking about human rights. Written agreements on human rights can make people aware of human rights and can call abusers of human rights to account. Having written human rights is essential to be able to put people on trial in court or into prison for breaking human rights. It is also important so that people can be educated about their own rights and understand that they should be treated with respect. 2. Are some rights more important than others? veryone has the right to life, liberty and security of person. This is about the right to: 7. All are equal before the law and are entitled to equal protection of the law. 9. No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile. 10. Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing. 11. Everyone has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty. This is about the right to: 5. No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. This is about the right to: Again there are no right and wrong answers here the point is to get debate and discussion going. Pupils may suggest that the right to life is the most important right. Many of the other rights relate to quality of life but different people will have different perceptions about which of these are a priority. 14. Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy asylum from persecution. 3. Are human rights still broken here today? Having studied the history section pupils should be aware that there were more issues around breaches of human rights in the past in Northern Ireland than there are today. However people from Northern Ireland today still take legal cases based on Human Rights. Breaches of human rights whether today or in the past can be perpetrated by individuals, groups or institutions. Contentious issues today can still include parade and protests, use of violence, treatment of prisoners etc. There are however lots of wider issues under equality and human rights e.g. Quality of care for the elderly. This is about the right to:

23 23 Page 42 What Human Rights do people have? Activity There are 30 articles in the declaration. The table below shows a summary some of them. Use the words in the box below to fill in what the rights are about. This is about the right to: Article: Equality 1. All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. 2. Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration. Life 3. Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person. Fair Treatment 5. No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Fair Trial 5. No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Asylum Nationality Religion Opinion Democracy Work Education Culture Respect 14. Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy asylum from persecution. 15. Everyone has the right to a nationality. 18. Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion 19. Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression 20. Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association. 21. Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives. Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country. The will of the people (through fair elections) shall be the basis of the authority of government. 23. Everyone has the right to work and, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work. 26. Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit. 27. Everyone has the right freely to participate in cultural life 29. In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are needed to respect for the rights and freedoms of others.

24 24 Page 44 E is for Equality What have you learned? Use the information in the previous pages on E is for equality to find the answers and fill in the crossword below. 1 H 2 D 3 G 4 C O N V E N T I O N 5 T L C O R 6 E O E 7 D I G N I T Y Q C M F A U 8 W A R B R L 9 S A U 10 R E L I G I O N E L S R D C P T 11 H U M A N R I G H T S A C 12 T 13 T Y I Y H O 14 R O A I R 15 O R I 16 E N T A T I O N C R T V C T T U E E Y R R 17 N 18 E Q U A L I T Y C O M M I S S I O N O H 19 O P I N I O N R 20 E Q U A L S C Page 46 Walking Debate Activity Now that you have an understanding of the context in which you have your right to vote try out this Walking Debate in your group. The purpose of the walking debate is to get pupils talking about issues and hearing different opinions. It should also highlight some of the diversity of opinion within their own group. By doing this activity the pupils are really talking politics.

25 25 Page 47 Word Search Activity Find the words in the box below in the grid. They can be forwards, backwards or diagonally. Can you explain what all the words in the box mean? O C H A N O I T C E L E S I J P O L I T I C A L P A R T Y P I N O E G A R F F U S K H O R N S Y B U S X Z T S M L G Q V I E A V P O L L I N G O I U E O R L N A C I L B U P E R Y T N V I C W I A D B D O N C E T G A S F L A N P E U L O P R E F T T K M L S E Q N I N A C G E I D G T I N R O I T V Y D A J S R U T S I E T O I I N G R I M N H R M M S I N C W T Z F E W L I B E R A L I S M O Y F N A T I O N A L I S T A V Y U X V S N V S A N R T K A I T S P T M U D N E R E F E R C I L Politics Vote Election Unionist Loyalist Liberalism Opinion Referendum Nationalist Socialism Suffragette Political Party Rights Suffrage Polling Republican Conservatism Identity

26 26 This magazine has been produced by the Community Relations Officers in Derry City Council and Limavady Borough Council. It is available for free download on: As this is a pilot version of this magazine the Community Relations Officers are keen to hear feedback on the publication in case any changes could be made for any future publications. If you have views on the publication, any constructive feedback or would like additional copies please us on: sue.divin@derrycity.gov.uk or Patricia.Cameron@limavady.gov.uk A website and downloadable teachers guide is available to support the use of this magazine on: Other useful Community Relations publications are available on This document is available upon request in a number of formats including large print, Braille, PDF, audiocassette and minority ethnic languages. For further information on alternative formats please contact: Telephone (028) textphone: (028) Or equality@derrycity.gov.uk Derry City Council, 98 Strand Road, Derry, BT487NN Published 2012.