Role of NGOs and the UN

Active learning helps students grasp the complex, interconnected nature of climate justice by letting them take on roles and analyze real-world systems. When students simulate negotiations or investigate case studies, they see how policies and actions at different levels—NGOs, the UN, and individuals—shape global responses to climate change.

• Grade 7
• History & Geography
• 3 activities
• 25 min–60 min

Learning Objectives

1. Explain the specific humanitarian contributions of NGOs like Doctors Without Borders in diverse global contexts.
2. Analyze the interconnectedness of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and their impact on global well-being.
3. Evaluate the primary challenges faced by international organizations in delivering aid and achieving development objectives.
4. Compare the operational approaches of governmental and non-governmental organizations in addressing global issues.

Simulation Game

⏱ 60 min·Whole Class

Simulation Game: The Global Climate Summit

Students represent different countries (e.g., Canada, a small island nation, a rapidly industrializing nation). They must negotiate a plan to reduce global emissions while considering each country's unique needs and responsibilities.

Prepare & details

Explain the specific contributions of NGOs like Doctors Without Borders to global well-being.

Facilitation Tip: For the Think-Pair-Share on personal vs. government action, provide sentence starters to help students frame their thoughts clearly before sharing with the class.

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

Inquiry Circle

⏱ 50 min·Pairs

Inquiry Circle: Climate Justice Case Study

Pairs research how climate change is affecting a specific vulnerable community (e.g., the Inuit in the Arctic or people in Bangladesh). They create a presentation explaining why this is an issue of 'justice.'

Prepare & details

Analyze the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and their global impact.

Setup: Groups at tables with access to source materials

Materials: Source material collection, Inquiry cycle worksheet, Question generation protocol, Findings presentation template

• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Self-Management
• Self-Awareness

Think-Pair-Share

⏱ 25 min·Pairs

Think-Pair-Share: Personal vs. Government Action

Students discuss which is more important for fighting climate change: personal choices (like biking) or government laws (like a carbon tax). They share their thoughts on how the two can work together.

Prepare & details

Evaluate the challenges faced by international organizations in achieving their objectives.

Setup: Standard classroom seating; students turn to a neighbor

Materials: Discussion prompt (projected or printed), Optional: recording sheet for pairs

• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Self-Awareness
• Relationship Skills

Teaching This Topic

Teachers should balance empathy with rigor when teaching climate justice, helping students care about the issue without oversimplifying its complexity. Use real data and case studies to ground abstract concepts like 'climate justice' in tangible examples. Avoid framing the topic as hopeless; instead, focus on the power of collective action through institutions like NGOs and the UN.

What to Expect

Students should leave with a clear understanding of how NGOs and the UN address climate injustice through cooperation, funding, and policy. Successful learning means students can explain the difference between short-term aid and long-term systemic change, and they can identify responsibilities across regions and income levels.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

During the Global Climate Summit simulation, watch for students who assume climate change only involves rising temperatures. Redirect them by including extreme weather events in their briefing materials and asking them to prioritize actions accordingly.

What to Teach Instead

During the Global Climate Summit simulation, watch for students who assume climate change only involves rising temperatures. Redirect them by including extreme weather events in their briefing materials and asking them to prioritize actions accordingly.

Common Misconception

During the Climate Justice Case Study, watch for students who believe Canada’s small population size limits its global impact. Redirect them by providing a per capita emissions comparison chart in their research packet to highlight Canada’s disproportionate responsibility.

What to Teach Instead

During the Climate Justice Case Study, watch for students who believe Canada’s small population size limits its global impact. Redirect them by providing a per capita emissions comparison chart in their research packet to highlight Canada’s disproportionate responsibility.

Assessment Ideas

Discussion Prompt

After the Global Climate Summit simulation, pose the question, 'Imagine you are a volunteer for an NGO. What is one specific challenge you might face while delivering aid in a remote region, and how could the UN potentially help overcome it?' Facilitate a class discussion using the simulation’s outcomes to assess students' ability to connect NGO actions with UN support.

Quick Check

During the Climate Justice Case Study, provide students with a short case study about a global issue, such as a drought in the Sahel region. Ask them to identify: 1) One way an NGO could help, and 2) One way the UN could support long-term solutions. Collect responses to gauge understanding of the distinct but complementary roles of NGOs and the UN.

Exit Ticket

After the Think-Pair-Share activity, on an index card, ask students to write the definition of one Sustainable Development Goal in their own words and name one specific action an NGO or the UN might take to help achieve it. Use these to assess their grasp of how global goals translate into real-world actions.

Extensions & Scaffolding

• Challenge students who finish early to draft a mock press release from an NGO or the UN about their simulated summit outcomes.
• For students who struggle, provide a partially completed graphic organizer for the Climate Justice Case Study with guiding questions and key terms filled in.
• Allow extra time for groups to create a visual infographic comparing per capita emissions and vulnerability across countries.

Key Vocabulary

Non-Governmental Organization (NGO)	An organization that operates independently from any government, often focused on humanitarian aid, development, or advocacy.
United Nations (UN)	An international organization founded to promote peace, security, and cooperation among nations worldwide.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)	A set of 17 global goals adopted by the UN in 2015, aiming to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all by 2030.
Humanitarian Aid	Assistance provided to people in need, typically in response to natural disasters, conflicts, or famine.
Global Development	The process of improving the economic, social, and political well-being of people across the world.