Unit 5: Grade 9 Social Studies

Investigate the significance of the international human rights movement in the global community.

“Human rights may be generally defined as those rights which are inherent in our nature and without which we cannot live as human beings. Human rights and fundamental freedoms allow us to develop fully and use our human qualities, our intelligence, our talents and our conscience and to satisfy our spiritual and other needs. They are based on humankind’s increasing demand for a life in which the inherent dignity and worth of each human being are accorded respect and protection. Their denial is not only an individual and personal tragedy but also creates conditions of social and political unrest, sowing the seeds of violence and conflict within and between societies and nations.”

- www.un.org

Assignment: Webliography

“The Story of Human Rights”- video

Activity: “What Does It Mean To be Human?”

-What is a human?-What is a right?-What is a universal human right?

What does it mean to be fully human? How is it different from just “being alive” or

“surviving?” Based on our list, what do people need to live

in dignity? Are all human beings essentially equal? Can any of our “essential” qualities be taken

from us? What happens when a person or government

attempts to deprive someone of something that is necessary to human dignity?

What would happen if you had to give up on of these human necessities?

“…recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of the freedom, justice, and peace in the world…” (Preamble, UDHR)

“All human begins 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 1, UDHR)

What is the meaning of “right?” What is the meaning of “right” when we

speak of human rights?

Activity- Brainstorm a definition for human rights – Display on Anchor Chart wall

“Human rights belong to all people regardless of their sex, race, color, language, national origin, age, class, religion, or political beliefs. They are universal, inalienable, indivisible and interdependent.”

“Where, after all, do universal rights begin? In small places, close to home- so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. Yet they are the world of the individual person; the neighbourhood he lives in; the school or college he attends; the factory, farm or office where he works. Such are the places where every man, woman and child seeks equal justice, equal opportunity, equal dignity without discrimination. Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Without concerned citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world.”

- Eleanor RooseveltThe Great Question, 1958

What do you think Eleanot Roosevelt means by universal rights?

Some people feel that universal values or standards of behavior are impossible. What do you think?

Why do you think the UN chose the word universal instead of the word international when naming the UDHR?

Legal Rights are laid down by law. They are bound by law. Ex- Canada has a set of laws called the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. It is assumed that all people have the rights to do something until a ruling to the contrary has been made by a court or government. Legal rights in a country do not guarantee human rights. Ex- The Nuremburg Laws

Moral rights are seen as a believable and important belief ex- the right to privacy or confidentiality. Sometimes human rights are limited in certain situation/ exceptions

*national security- grounding planes during 9/11

*economic well-being of a country*public health- Ebola quarantine*preservation of law and order*need to respect the rights of other(It is hard to define a list of human rights that should always

apply, whatever the circumstances, because of these exceptions.)

Decision Card Statements1.Killing is wrong.2. It is wrong to keep someone else a slave.3.After a certain age, people should be

able to marry whomever they choose.4.People should be allowed to say or write

what they wish.5.All people should be treated equally. It

should not depend on such things as gender, appearance or the country they come from.

Decision card statements6. People in prison should be told why

they are being held.7. People should be allowed to criticize

the government.8. People should be allowed to talk to and

meet anyone they wish.9. It is wrong to force a person to work.10. A person accused of a crime should

be tried by someone who has nothing to do with the case.

Decision card statements11. People should be allowed to travel and leave

their country if they wish.12. Private letters, texts and telephone calls

should be intercepted.13. People should be allowed to have, or not have,

whatever religious beliefs they wish.14. All people have a right to belong to a country.15. All people have the right to medical help if

they are ill.16. All people have a right to education. Parents

have the right to choose what kind of education should be given to their children.

Many countries felt that an international charter on human rights would reduce the chances that the atrocities from the war would be repeated. By 1948, a Universal Declaration of Human Rights had been drawn up. It is am important document for curbing behavior of unjust governments. The Declaration is not legally enforceable but countries who support it are expected to draw up legislation around it. Canada’s Charter is an example.

“The Universal Declaration of Human Rights”- video

“The 30 Articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights” -video

Abridged Version of UDHR for Youth

Activity- “Never Again”

Graphic Organizer Chart

In groups, choose a human rights situation from the real life examples provided.

1. Identify what rights are being violated2.Come up with a solution that is workable

and effective for restoring these rights to people.

Amnesty’s “Good News” page

Read 5 of the stories and decide what right has been violated. Why is the story a “good news” story?

Design your own graphic organizer to keep track of your ideas.

“The Path To Dignity” -video

The international human rights movement has become powerful because of globalization. Why?

What has made the international human rights movement a positive world-wide force?

How much evidence is required before the global world is obliged to act on human rights issues?

Webliography Project

Analyze the relationship between universal human rights and globalization

“The Globalization of Human Rights” –video

While watching the video, list the ways that globalization has helped to promote human rights.

Possible Answers:-After WWII, globalization grew and spread to

nations who never had a relationship before. This came about because of the development of technology/innovation and communication, the spread of liberal values and establishment of institutions like the UN. This made the world more accountable for human rights violations. Our societies interacting made us more aware of the issues out there. We are more aware because of the media, internet, and personal experience through travel.

Media Focus on Human Rights- Assignment

Maintain a log that shows the number of references to human rights issues over a 3 day period. Use the newspaper, internet, radio, tv, magazines, etc.

Record your source and date, a brief description of the issue, what is the human right being violated.

Need 10 references.

An example of globalization drawing attention to human rights

Also a flip side, but shows the effect of globalization on bringing attention to a human rights issue

Invisible Children Joseph Kony Whatever Happened to Joseph Kony? Joseph Kony Hiding at the Sudan Border Top Commander Caught

Rick Mercer “Spread The Net”

“Not On Our Watch”

Human Rights Campaign Assessment

Demonstrate an understanding of the advances and challenges related to universal human rights

“First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out-

Because I was not a Socialist.Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out-

Because I was not a Trade Unionist.Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out-Because I was not a Jew.Then they came for me- and there was no one left to speak for me.”

- Pastor Martin Niemoeller

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

What is the message of this poem? How does this message apply to you

and all global citizens?

Is the process of making the world aware of injustices an easy road? Are there successes? Are there challenges?

Brainstorm the positive advances in a group.

Brainstorm the challenges in a group.

Should we impose our own values on another culture? What are the implications of intervening?

Informal Debate Assessment