We Are All Born Free

Aims of the Day

• To investigate and understand human rights

• To familiarise ourselves with human rights as set out in The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

• To develop the skills of decision-making, negotiating, taking responsibility and understanding the needs of others

Where do universal human rights begin?

In small places, close to home – so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any map 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 concerted citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world.

Eleanor Roosevelt, Remarks at the United Nations, 1953

‘Right Up Your Street’ scene

• What do you notice in the picture?

• Where in the world do you think this (imaginary) street might be?

• Is there anything in this picture that you would never see on a street in this country?

• Look carefully at the scene outside the sweet shop –What’s happening? Is this a miscarriage of justice?

• Now look at the scene at the bus stop. What sort of people might the family at the bus stop be?

Examine the picture for scenes of human rights being demanded, enjoyed and denied.

Diamond 9 • Pick 12 human rights – nine you think are

really important and three you think are less important.

• Rank the nine really important ones in order.

• Explain your thoughts and ideasthroughout the activity.

Evaluation

• Look back at the street scene – do you notice anything you didn’t notice this morning?

• Are there any human rights issues you can see in the picture that are not mentioned in The Universal Declaration of Human Rights?

• Do any of the rights in The Universal Declaration only apply to certain groups of people?

• Do you still have the same top three and top nine choices, or have you changed your mind?

Agree or Disagree?

Do you agree or disagree with The Universal Declaration of Human Rights?

Should the UN add any more rights - or take any away?

Be prepared to justify your ideas/opinions.

Acknowledgements

These tasks are adapted from the Amnesty International Resources:

• ‘Putting Human Rights on the Map’• ‘Right Up Your Street’ scene