Conflict and Peacekeeping

Active learning works for this topic because students need to move beyond abstract theories and engage with real-world complexities. By analyzing causes, debating interventions, and evaluating outcomes, they develop critical thinking skills essential for understanding global conflicts and peacekeeping.

• Year 10
• Civics & Citizenship
• 4 activities
• 40 min–60 min

Learning Objectives

1. Analyze the primary drivers of at least three contemporary international conflicts, citing specific examples.
2. Evaluate the effectiveness of two UN peacekeeping missions by applying criteria such as civilian protection and long-term stability.
3. Compare Australia's diplomatic and military contributions to two different international conflict resolution efforts.
4. Justify Australia's involvement in a specific peacekeeping operation, referencing international law and national interests.

Jigsaw

⏱ 50 min·Small Groups

Jigsaw: Conflict Causes

Assign small groups to research one cause of conflict, such as resources or ideology, using provided sources. Groups create teaching posters, then experts rotate to mixed home groups to share and apply causes to a current case like Ukraine. Conclude with whole-class synthesis.

Prepare & details

Analyze the root causes of contemporary international conflicts.

Facilitation Tip: In Jigsaw Expert Groups, assign each group one root cause (e.g., resources, ethnicity) and require them to prepare a 3-minute teaching segment using case study evidence.

Setup: Flexible seating for regrouping

Materials: Expert group reading packets, Note-taking template, Summary graphic organizer

• Understand
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Relationship Skills
• Self-Management

Simulation Game

⏱ 60 min·Small Groups

Simulation Game: UN Security Council Debate

Divide class into roles: member states, UN officials, NGOs. Present a scenario like a peacekeeping mandate extension. Groups prepare positions with evidence, debate resolutions for 20 minutes, then vote and reflect on compromises reached.

Prepare & details

Evaluate the effectiveness of international peacekeeping missions.

Facilitation Tip: During the UN Security Council Simulation, provide role cards with strict mandates and neutral language prompts to reinforce peacekeeping protocols.

Setup: Flexible space for group stations

Materials: Role cards with goals/resources, Game currency or tokens, Round tracker

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Social Awareness
• Decision-Making

Gallery Walk

⏱ 45 min·Pairs

Gallery Walk: Australian Missions

Pairs research one Australian peacekeeping mission, such as East Timor, and create a poster with timeline, outcomes, and evaluation. Pairs station posters around room; class walks, adds sticky notes with questions or evidence, followed by debrief.

Prepare & details

Justify Australia's role in global conflict resolution.

Facilitation Tip: For the Gallery Walk, post large maps with mission timelines and student annotations to make Australia’s contributions visually tangible.

Setup: Wall space or tables arranged around room perimeter

Materials: Large paper/poster boards, Markers, Sticky notes for feedback

• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Create
• Relationship Skills
• Social Awareness

Fishbowl Discussion

⏱ 40 min·Whole Class

Fishbowl Discussion: Mission Effectiveness

Inner circle of 8 students debates effectiveness of a mission using rubric; outer circle observes and notes arguments. Switch roles midway, then whole class rates debate using peer feedback sheet.

Prepare & details

Analyze the root causes of contemporary international conflicts.

Facilitation Tip: In the Fishbowl Discussion, assign a student observer to track criteria used for evaluating missions and report back to the class.

Setup: Inner circle of 4-6 chairs, outer circle surrounding them

Materials: Discussion prompt or essential question, Observation notes template

• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Social Awareness
• Self-Awareness

Teaching This Topic

Experienced teachers approach this topic by grounding abstract concepts in concrete examples, using structured debates to build argumentation skills. Avoid overloading students with historical details; instead, focus on patterns and criteria for evaluation. Research shows that peer teaching and role-play improve retention, so prioritize activities where students teach each other rather than listen passively.

What to Expect

Successful learning looks like students confidently distinguishing peacekeeping from war, identifying multiple root causes of conflict, and articulating Australia’s role with evidence. They should also evaluate mission success using clear criteria and defend their judgments in discussions.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

During the Jigsaw Expert Groups activity, students may claim peacekeeping involves combat. Listen for phrases like 'soldiers fight' and redirect by having them re-read mission mandates on their case study sheets.

What to Teach Instead

After Jigsaw Expert Groups, ask each group to locate and read aloud the rules of engagement from their case study, then explain how these differ from warfare.

Common Misconception

During Jigsaw Expert Groups, students might attribute conflicts solely to religion. Circulate and listen for oversimplifications like 'it was all about religion.'

What to Teach Instead

Prompt students to revisit their case studies and identify at least two non-religious causes before they teach their segment to peers.

Common Misconception

During the Gallery Walk, students may assume Australia’s role is minor. Stand near the Solomon Islands station and listen for comments like 'they didn’t do much.'

What to Teach Instead

Ask students to point to specific evidence on the posters, such as troop numbers or funding amounts, and explain the regional impact.

Assessment Ideas

Discussion Prompt

During the UN Security Council Simulation, pose the question: 'Considering the principle of national sovereignty, under what conditions, if any, is it justifiable for Australia to intervene in another country's internal conflict?' Use student responses to assess their ability to apply international law and case study knowledge.

Quick Check

After the Jigsaw Expert Groups activity, provide students with a 5-sentence case study about a recent conflict. Ask them to identify two root causes and Australia’s specific role, then collect responses to gauge understanding.

Peer Assessment

After students present their Australian peacekeeping mission research in short presentations, have peers use a rubric to assess: clarity of goals, mention of Australian contributions, and evaluation of mission success. Collect rubrics to assess both content and presentation skills.

Extensions & Scaffolding

• Challenge: Ask early finishers to draft a 200-word policy recommendation for Australia’s future peacekeeping role, citing at least two UN resolutions.
• Scaffolding: Provide sentence starters for struggling students in discussions, such as "One criterion for success could be..." or "Australia’s contribution included..."
• Deeper: Have students research an unresolved modern conflict and write a one-page brief on potential peacekeeping roles Australia might play.

Key Vocabulary

Sovereignty	The supreme authority of a state within its own territory, meaning it has the power to govern itself without external interference.
Geopolitics	The study of how geography influences politics and international relations, often explaining the strategic importance of regions and resources in conflicts.
Mandate	An official order or commission to do something, in peacekeeping, this refers to the specific tasks and authority granted to a mission by the UN Security Council.
Diplomacy	The practice of conducting negotiations between representatives of states or groups, aiming to resolve disputes peacefully and manage international relations.
Intervention	The act of a state getting involved in the affairs of another state, often in response to conflict or humanitarian crises, which can be diplomatic, economic, or military.