Understanding Human Rights Concepts and Debates UNIT ONE
Understanding Human Rights: Concepts and Debates UNIT ONE GLOBAL CLASSROOMS® HUMAN RIGHTS UNIT
What are human rights?
Defining Human Rights consist of… • Civil and political rights AND • Social, cultural and economic rights • These rights are indivisible
Defining Human Rights can be… • Positive (requiring action from government) OR • Negative (requiring government to refrain from violations)
Universal Declaration of Human Rights • Adopted by the UN General Assembly December 10, 1948 • The GA then called on all countries to publicize and distribute the text of the Declaration, especially in schools • Eleanor Roosevelt was a major proponent
Poster project • Obtain an article • Front: title and visual display of the human right (include article number) • Back: Must be typed – Categorize and explain (may overlap) • Fundamental: value and dignity of human life • Political/civil • Social/economic – Are there nations where these rights are denied? – Are there people in these nations that might object to some of these rights? • Are there legitimate objections?
Discussion • Should the Universal Declaration of Human Rights contain both positive and negative rights? • Is it the responsibility of countries to uphold both positive and negative rights? • The United States is currently in a debate about whether or not everyone should have a right to health insurance. Is this a positive or negative right? What is your opinion on this issue?
Share your Mini-Essay How can art and media, such as photography, work as a tool to protect human rights?
HUMAN rights video and questions
Culture and Human Rights: The French Headscarves Ban UNIT ONE: CASE STUDY GLOBAL CLASSROOMS® HUMAN RIGHTS UNIT
Short Film: French Headscarves Ban “By banning the headscarf from schools, France hopes to protect its fiercely won secular identity. But will this move backfire, further radicalizing an already marginalized community? ”
The French Headscarves Ban: Understanding the Controversy French Government and Proponents of Ban Muslim Families and Opponents to Ban
Prep format speech: Pro/con Headscarves issue Bring in evidence and examples from the headscarves case study to support or refute the resolution
Public Speaking for Model UN 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Learn about speaking procedure. Prepare your opening speech. Prepare to speak during debate. Calm your nerves by preparing thoroughly. Practice, practice.
Public Speaking for Model UN 6. Pace Yourself. Try not to talk too fast or too slow. 7. Choose a powerful tone and posture. 8. Connect with your audience. Make eye contact! 9. Get to the point: Speak concisely. 10. Be positive: Practice constructive criticism.
Questions pertaining to your assigned country. • • • 1. What are predominant religions in your country? How are minority religions treated? 2. What do human rights monitoring groups say about your countries religious tolerance? 3. Does your country separate religion from government? 4. According to your country, what are the worst cases of religious intolerance occurring in the world today? 5. What treaties has your government signed or ratifies regarding religious intolerance? 6. What programs can your country suggest to help rebuild respect for religion around the world? How can the UN stop state-sponsored religious intolerance? Should some countries be pressured to change their government if their policies are too restrictive? Sources for research: http: //crf. hudson. org/ www. ohchr. org http: //hrw. org/doc? t=religion www. un. org/documents/ga/res/36/a 36 r 055. htm www. un. org/documents/ga/res/48/a 48 r 128. htm
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