Global Citizenship and Identity · Term 4

Global Environmental Governance

Exploring how nations collaborate to address the ethical and political challenges of climate change.

About This Topic

Refugee and migration policy is one of the most debated aspects of Australian governance, involving a complex mix of international law, national security, and humanitarian ethics. In Year 10, students analyze Australia's obligations under the 1951 Refugee Convention and how these are balanced against domestic policies like 'Operation Sovereign Borders.' This topic explores the legal definitions of 'asylum seeker' and 'refugee' and the processes used to determine protection claims.

Students investigate the history of migration in Australia, acknowledging the shift from the White Australia Policy to a multicultural framework. This study aligns with ACARA's focus on the rights and responsibilities of global citizens and the ethical challenges of border control. Given the emotive nature of this topic, a student-centered approach using 'Case Study Analysis' of individual stories alongside legal documents helps students ground their political opinions in human reality and legal fact.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the ethical and political challenges nations face when collaborating on global environmental issues.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of international agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, in addressing climate change.
• Design a policy proposal that balances national economic interests with global environmental health responsibilities.
• Justify criteria for determining fair international emissions reduction targets, considering historical responsibility and capacity.
• Compare and contrast different models of global environmental governance and their strengths and weaknesses.

Before You Start

Australia's Role in International Affairs

Why: Students need a foundational understanding of Australia's engagement with international organizations and agreements to analyze its role in global environmental governance.

Economic Systems and Development

Why: Understanding different economic models is crucial for analyzing the tension between national economic growth and global environmental health.

Human Rights and Social Justice

Why: A grasp of human rights principles is necessary to understand the ethical dimensions of climate change impacts and the concept of climate justice.

Key Vocabulary

Global Environmental Governance	The complex system of institutions, rules, and processes through which nations and other actors attempt to manage shared environmental problems.
Climate Justice	The ethical and political framework that links climate change to issues of fairness, equity, and human rights, recognizing that its impacts disproportionately affect vulnerable populations.
Common But Differentiated Responsibilities	A principle of international environmental law acknowledging that all countries share a responsibility to address environmental problems, but acknowledging that developed countries have a greater historical role and capacity to act.
Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)	The climate targets set by each country under the Paris Agreement, outlining their plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change.
Climate Refugees	Individuals forced to leave their homes and countries due to the impacts of climate change, such as rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and desertification.

Active Learning Ideas

Inquiry Circle: The Journey Map

Groups research the legal process a refugee must go through to reach Australia, from leaving their home country to the 'determination' of their status. They create a visual map showing the legal and physical hurdles at each stage.

⏱ 50 min·Small Groups

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Formal Debate: Ethics of the Border

Students debate: 'Does a nation's right to secure its borders override its obligation to help those in need?' They must use specific articles from the UN Refugee Convention to support their arguments.

⏱ 50 min·Whole Class

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Think-Pair-Share: What is a 'Fair Share'?

Students look at global refugee statistics and compare Australia's intake with other nations. They discuss what criteria a country should use to decide how many refugees to accept each year.

⏱ 25 min·Pairs

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Real-World Connections

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat, based in Bonn, Germany, facilitates international negotiations and monitors countries' climate actions, impacting global policy decisions.

International environmental lawyers and diplomats work for organizations like the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) or government bodies to draft and advocate for international environmental treaties and agreements.

Renewable energy companies, such as Vestas or Siemens Gamesa, are directly influenced by global climate governance policies and national emissions targets, shaping their investment and production strategies.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

It is illegal to arrive in Australia by boat to seek asylum.

What to Teach Instead

Under international law and the Australian Migration Act, it is not illegal to seek asylum, regardless of how a person arrives. However, Australian policy treats those who arrive by boat differently in terms of processing and settlement. Clarifying the difference between 'illegal' and 'unauthorized' is essential.

Common Misconception

Refugees and migrants are the same thing.

What to Teach Instead

Migrants choose to move for reasons like work or family, while refugees are forced to flee due to a well-founded fear of persecution. A sorting activity with different 'push and pull' factors can help students distinguish these groups.

Assessment Ideas

Discussion Prompt

Pose the question: 'Who should decide international emissions reduction targets and why?' Facilitate a class debate where students must argue for a specific decision-making body (e.g., UN, individual nations, scientific bodies) using evidence related to equity, capacity, and historical responsibility.

Quick Check

Provide students with a short case study of a hypothetical nation facing economic pressure to increase fossil fuel production while also being vulnerable to climate impacts. Ask them to write two policy recommendations: one prioritizing economic growth and one prioritizing environmental health, explaining the trade-offs for each.

Exit Ticket

Ask students to write one sentence explaining the principle of 'Common But Differentiated Responsibilities' and one example of how it might be applied in a climate negotiation between Australia and a developing island nation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 1951 Refugee Convention?

This is the key international legal document that defines who a refugee is and sets out the rights of individuals who are granted asylum and the responsibilities of nations that grant it.

What is the difference between an asylum seeker and a refugee?

An asylum seeker is someone who has left their country and is seeking protection but has not yet been legally recognized as a refugee. A refugee is someone whose claim has been officially confirmed.

How does Australia decide who gets a refugee visa?

Australia has a 'Humanitarian Program' with a set number of places each year. Decisions are based on whether the person meets the international definition of a refugee and passes health, character, and security checks.

How can active learning help students understand migration policy?

Active learning through 'Perspective-Taking' allows students to move beyond headlines. By analyzing real-life case studies and role-playing the 'Refugee Status Determination' process, students see the complexity of the law and the high stakes for the individuals involved, leading to a more nuanced and less polarized understanding.