First Edition Human Rights Take Action Handbook Ashley Brockway, Michelle Chisholm, Katelyn Clow, Larissa Coombs, Tyler MacLennan, and Laura Noble
Education in Schools 1
Section 1 Education An Introduction This handbook is designed to encourage both teachers and their students to take action and raise awareness about human rights. Throughout this resource guide we will walk you through suggested examples of how you can incorporate human rights across every subject area. The suggestions provided within this handbook are designed to be modified to fit your specific needs. We encourage you to further research human rights issues and expand upon the ideas presented within the pages of the handbook. Universal Declaration of Article 1. All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.they are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood. Article 2. Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty. Article 3. Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person. Article 4. No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms. Article 5. No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Article 6. Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law. Article 7. All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination. Article 8. Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for 2
acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law. (2) Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country. Article 9. No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile. Article 14. (1) Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution. (2) This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations. Article 10. Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him. Article 11. (1) Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence. (2) No one shall be held guilty of any penal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offence, under national or international law, at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the penal offence was committed. Article 12. No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks. Article 13. (1) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state. Article 15. (1) Everyone has the right to a nationality. (2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality. Article 16. (1) Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution. (2) Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses. (3) The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State. Article 17. (1) Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others. (2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property. Article 18. Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance. Article 19. Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers. Article 20. (1) Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association. (2) No one may be compelled to belong to an association. Article 21. (1) Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives. (2) Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country. (3) The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures. Article 22. Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights 3
indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality. Article 23. (1) Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment. (2) Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work. (3) Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection. (4) Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests. Article 24. Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay. Article 25. (1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and wellbeing of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control. (2) Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection. Article 26. (1) Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit. (2) Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace. (3) Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children. Article 27. (1) Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits. (2) Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author. Article 28. Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized. Article 29. (1) Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible. (2) In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society. (3) These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations. Article 30. Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein. 4
Take Action Projects 2 The following projects can be applied to any classrooms, satisfying specific curriculum outcomes while also exploring human rights through activism.
Section 1 Visual Art Stop the Silence Curriculum Outcomes 9.3.5 identify opportunities to participate in the visual arts in school, community, and the world of work 9.4.2 recognize the existence of a variety of visual languages that reflect cultural, socio-economic, and national origins Article 15. (1) Everyone has the right to a nationality. Article 19. Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers. Article 26. (1) Everyone has the right to education. Materials Required -General art supplies (paints, paint brushes, paper, canvas, pencils: both colored and lead, etc) -Venue to host art show -Picture frames -Display Tags -Nails for hanging artwork -Podium displays Image courtesy of [kjnnt] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net Description The purpose of this project is for students to see the value and impact of art outside of the classroom while raising awareness of human rights issues. Students will grasp that art can be used to generate funds for non-profit organizations and understand that they are capable of creating an art show as a classroom. Students from a visual arts classroom will work together to create an art show to featuring their own art work centered around a human rights issues throughout the world (for example: Right to Education, Right to Freedom of Expression, Right to Nationality). The art show will take form as a silent auction to raise funds for an organization of the class choice. Additionally, students will be required to frame their artwork, create display tags, and be responsible for hanging the show, advertising, and hosting the opening. 6
Section 2 Theatre Arts Putting a Face to Bullying Materials Required - performance space - lighting equipment - posters, programs, and tickets Curriculum Outcomes - script/letter writing materials GCO 2: The student should be able to accept the leadership of others. GCO 10: The student should have the ability to demonstrate stagecraft. GCO 11: The student should have the ability to plan and carry out the rehearsal and performance process. - costumes (optional) Image courtesy of [Popover] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net Description Students throughout the school will be asked to write anonymous letters that describe their experiences and stories on the subject of bullying, whether they have been bullied themselves, know some- one who has been bullied, been a bully themselves, or witnessed bullying and took no action to prevent it. These letters will be read Article 3: Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person. Article 5: No one shall be subject to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. by the students in the Theatre Arts class and the stories that stand out the most to the readers will be adapted into scenes. The students will then work collaboratively as actors and directors to prepare these scenes to be present to a viewing audience in a theatrical production which will raise awareness for bullying, and raise funds that will be donated to local or foreign anti-abuse projects/ campaigns. 7
Section 3 Journalism Setting the Record Straight Curriculum Outcomes Materials Required - Pens - pencils - paper - class time - support from the community - Smartboards - projectors - voice recorders and camcorders. Image courtesy of [digitalart] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net Description Students employ journalistic interview and observational techniques. Students recognize how economic, social, historical, and political forces impact journalism. This take action project can be used in a Journalism 120 class after students have built a general knowledge of the importance and power that journalistic writing can have. Students will research both local organizations and the Universal Declaration of. They will have a choice between visiting either a local organization such as a women s shelter or food bank, which would focus on rights such as shelter or clean food and water, or possible non-governmental organizations (NGOs) such as Multicultural Associations or Frontier College which Article 19. Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers. would focus on the right to education. Students will conduct an interview with a leader (someone who is either employed or volunteers) in an NGO or local organization of their choice. The journalism student will then write a piece based on the interview highlighting not only the organization observed but the story of how the person became involved with their NGO or organization. Students will incorporate material about the local role-model and how this organization instills human rights in their community. 8
Section 4 Math Students + Initiative = Taking Action Materials Required " - Notebook - Pencil Curriculum Outcomes SCO: N3: Solve problems involving percents from 1% to 100%. SCO: N2: Demonstrate an understanding of the addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of decimals (for more than 1-digit divisors or 2-digit multipliers, the use of technology is expected) to solve problems. - Calculator Image courtesy of [nattavut] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net Description Students will be asked to seek out donations to fight poverty in their community through a fundraiser of their choice. Once the fundraiser is completed the students will be taken on a field trip to a local gro- cery store and be given the task to use every cent of the money that was donated on non-perishable food items. Students will have to Article 25: Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the use things like percentages to be accurate in their spending, and to health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, complete the task some students might have to take loans or re- clothing, and housing. ceive loans from other participating groups to ensure that every cent is effectively used. Once all of the money has been spent the nonperishable food items will then be donated to a local food bank. 9
Section 5 History Rights in the Past, Present, & Future Materials Required - camcorder - gym auditorium Curriculum Outcomes Description Modern History - Unit One: Rights and Freedoms (French Revolution) Image courtesy of [jannoon028] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net To encourage students to make connections between The French Revolution and current human rights struggles students will take part in a unit project designed to teach students about The French Revolution while taking action within our current society to continue the fight which began over two hundred years ago. At the beginning of the unit the teacher will Article 1. All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.they are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood. explain that students will create a movie which will be presented to the Article 6. Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law. thus far and begin the creation process. As the unit is nearing the end, Article 7. All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination. the rights of others are still being denied. The final part of their project Article 20. (1) Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association. slideshow with video images, or creating a collage of speeches and (2) No one may be compelled to belong to an association. tion and issues that are present today. school. As the teacher progresses throughout the unit, the teacher will provide work days it is recommended to allow for three to five days within the unit - for students to organize the material they have learned the teacher will introduce current human rights issues and explain how will include modern examples of current human rights issues. The movie concept and design will be student-driven and the teacher will guide the process and provide help as needed. Possible movie suggestions include students acting out the issues, creating an animation, creating a movements which outline the issues present during The French Revolu10
Section 6 Language Arts Materials Required Letters of the World - Envelopes Curriculum Outcomes - Paper and pencils - Computer Access - Internet Access Students will be expected to interact with sensitivity and respect, considering the situation, audience, and purpose. Students will be expected to select, read, and view with understanding a range of literature, information, media, and visual texts. - Postage Image courtesy of [Idea go] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net Description Students will be expected to interpret, select, and combine information, using a variety of strategies, resources, and technologies. This particular take action project can be used in any grade of the secon- Students will be expected to respond personally to a range of texts. dary level in an English Language Arts classroom. With the help of the Students will be expected to use a range of strategies to develop effective writing and other ways of representing Currently in Mali, the amount of child soldiers is astonishing and Amnesty International has been trying to do anything to free the children involved. These children have mostly all of their human rights violated, but specifically their right to grow up and to develop physically and spiritually in a healthy and normal way, free and with dignity has been taken away. All children should be free to grow up in a healthy environment therefore it is important to take action and change our current conflicts. UN and Amnesty International websites, students will be asked to find a human rights issue in some part of the world and write letters to the corresponding people or governments involved. Students can use these letters to convince people around the world to make a difference and to want to change situations that are unfair, dangerous or discriminative that they may have witnessed or participated in. Both of the websites feature sections that people can read about global issues and can eventually retrieve the address information they would need to send their letters. Another bonus for the classroom as a whole is that students will have the choice to select the global issue they relate most with so they can feel passionate and interested in the material. 11
Section 7 Language Arts Old Books to New Readers Curriculum Outcomes Materials Required - Writing Notebooks - Computers - Book creation/publishing software Image courtesy of [adamr] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net - Students will be expected to create texts collaboratively and independently, using a variety of forms for a range of audiences and purposes. Description - Students will be expected to use a range of strategies to develop effective writing and other ways of representing, and to enhance clarity, precision, and effectiveness. Students will hold a school wide Old Book Donation Drive by placing Language Arts teachers will have their students start writing original drop boxes around the school and other community centers around their community. While the book donations start to accumulate, participating works such as poems, short stories, etc., about their lives within their loarticle 26. cal community. Once the students in all the participating classes have (1) Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit. (2) Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace. gone through the writing, peer reviewing, and final revision stages of their writing process their works will be collected and published in a Classroom Compilation book. Once the publishing process is completed multiple copies of this book will be placed with the rest of the books that were acquired through the Old Book Donation Drive, and all of the books will be donated to schools in third world/ deprived countries. 12
Section 8 Music Tunes of the World Curriculum Outcomes Materials Required - performance venue - tickets, programs, and posters - staff paper and other compositional materials - lighting and sound equipment - Demonstrate competence in performing music - Demonstrate knowledge and application of theoretical and aural skills and concepts - Demonstrate an understanding of music in historical contexts - instruments (piano on site) Image courtesy of [fotographic1980] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net Description Students will explore and research the music of various cultures, and either individually or in small groups choose one culture to represent. They must choose an existing piece of music from this culture to learn to play, or they have the option to compose their own piece in the style of Article 27. the culture s traditional music. The polished performances will take (1) Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the place at a Multicultural Coffee House, with all proceeds from ticket community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and sales going to a human rights organization of their choice. Each act its benefits. must be introduced by the students with a brief description of the culture (2) Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material they choice, some important musical traditions found in that culture, and interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of a description of the piece they will be performing. Multicultural students which he is the author. can have the option of performing music of their own culture, or exploring the music of a new culture. 13
Resources 3
Resources Curriculum Documents New Brunswick JOURNALISM 120 Curriculum New Brunswick VISUAL ART 9/10 Curriculum New Brunswick MODERN HISTORY 111/112/113 Curriculum New Brunswick ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS Middle School and High School Curriculums New Brunswick THEATRE ARTS 120 Curriculum New Brunswick MATH 6 Curriculum New Brunswick MATH 7 Curriculum New Brunswick MUSIC 111/112 Curriculum Other Resources www.amnesty.ca www.un.org.ca The Universal Declaration of " http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/index.shtml 15