Lesson ideas
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United Nations International Declaration of Human Rights (1947)
Theme: International racism and anti-racism
Key Learning Area: English - Studies of Society and Environment (SOSE) - Technology
Age Group: Primary Upper (10-12) - Secondary Lower (13-14) - Secondary Middle (15-16) Resource Type: Graphs and charts Stimulus Name: Circular diagram of UN International Declaration of Human Rights
Outcomes
Students use the 1947 Declaration of Human Rights to explore the concept of basic human rights in relation to past and present world situations.
Introduction
The International Declaration of Human Rights was adopted with Australia's support, by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1948 in the aftermath of the second world war. What is its relevance today?
Worksheets to download
United Nations International Declaration of Human Rights (1947) (pdf File)
(If you experience problems opening this PDF, download and install this reader.)
Fact Sheet - Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) (rtf File)
Suggested Activities
- View the 1947 Declaration of Human Rights
- Read the declaration, making sure each right is understood.
- Discuss the following questions:
Why was it thought necessary to make a list of basic human rights in the forties?
What were some of the events leading up to 1947?
Were conditions in 1947 very different from today?
Additional Strategies
- Visit the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, Information for Students.
In pairs rank the Human Rights into a cline (either all the rights from the United Nations website or the abbreviated rights from the Fact sheet Universal Declaration of Human Rights(1948).
least important to me<-------------------------->most important to me
Present your cline and discuss it with the class. - Can you think of cases where rights are being abused at school, in Australia or the world?
Brainstorm and list. - Think of recent world events eg Timor.
Is it still important to have a declaration of human rights? - In small groups re-write the declaration for 2010.
Is there much difference from the original? Why? - If the concept of basic human rights did not exist what could be the situation for different members of society in Australia?
- Create a list of rights and responsibilities for your class or school.
Related Resources
Racism. No way! Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Fact sheet Universal Declaration of Human Rights(1948)
UNHCR and Austcare, Kit 1991, Refugee Children Around the World Longman Chesire (Upper primary)
Refer also to The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) fact sheets which aim to assist university students, senior high school students and their teachers to understand human rights.
Relevant websites to visit
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Information for Students
Australian Human Rights Information Centre
Copyright Acknowledgement
International Declaration of Human Rights
United Nations Organisation
Date: 12 October 2000
