Building Communities and Homes Abroad

Objectives:

The student will be able to define and explain the term nongovernmental organization
The student will be able to define and explain the concept of human rights, citing at least two different perspectives
The student will be able to describe what is meant by the term civil society The student will be able to identify 5 or more NGO’s, explaining their focus and interest
The student will be able to cite at least two examples for 5 NGO’s demonstrating the role of that group in promoting human rights
The student will be able to list at least three examples of the influence of an NGO in changing the status of human rights in a society.
The student will be able to describe how the NGO’s use media /political action to promote their causes

These could all be used in pre/post assessment instruments.

Several NGOs are internationally known. Ask students to research larger NGOs If you have access to computers you can have websites ready for the students to examine. Give them a task – something to look for and record as they go through the website. It could be a paired/group assignment.
After learning about the NGOs, ask students choose one problem that the NGO is advocating for. Then ask the students to role-play as an advocate for that NGO and how this problem is being addressed and resolved.
What are the issues that the NGO is most concerned with?
What has it done to build awareness about these issues?
What NGOs can students get involved with and how?
How can civil society and governments work together to address issue of human rights? (Teachers can provide examples or have the students research this topic)

After the students research the NGOs, break the class in small groups of 4 to 6 and assign an NGO to each group.
Describe role of NGO?
Who are the people associated with the NGO?
What is the affiliation, region and country associate with the NGO?
What is the mission statement of the NGO?
What type of activities is the NGO involved with (fresh water; building homes, etc)?
Design and present to class

Research local NGOs and how students can get involved.