Social Education · 5th Year

Active learning ideas

Global Inequality and Human Rights

Global Inequality and Human Rights broadens the students' horizon to look at the world beyond Ireland. This topic examines the stark differences in wealth, health, and opportunity between the 'Global North' and 'Global South.' Students investigate the root causes of poverty, including the legacy of colonialism, unfair trade practices, and climate change. They also learn about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the role of international bodies like the United Nations in protecting these rights.

• NCCA Curriculum Specifications
• LCA Social Education, Module 4, Unit 3, LO 1
• LCA Social Education, Module 4, Unit 3, LO 4

• 25–60 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 3 activities

Activity 01

• Simulation Game
• 60 min · Small Groups

Simulation Game: The Trading Game

Divide the class into 'Rich', 'Middle-Income', and 'Poor' countries, giving them different amounts of resources (paper, scissors, pencils). They must produce 'goods' to trade, quickly realizing how the initial inequality makes it almost impossible for poor countries to catch up.

What are the root causes of global poverty and inequality?

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

Activity 02

• Gallery Walk
• 40 min · Pairs

Gallery Walk: Human Rights in Action

Display different articles from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Students move in pairs to find an example of where that right is being upheld and one where it is being challenged in the world today, using recent news headlines.

What are universal human rights and why are they important?

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

Activity 03

• Think-Pair-Share
• 25 min · Pairs

Think-Pair-Share: The Fair Trade Choice

Show students two chocolate bars: one Fair Trade and one not. They think about why one is more expensive, pair up to discuss where that extra money goes, and share whether they think the 'ethical' choice is always easy to make.

How does fair trade support workers in developing countries?

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

A few notes on teaching this unit

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• Poverty is just because people don't work hard enough.

  Students often ignore structural issues. Active simulations like the 'Trading Game' help them see that even with hard work, unfair rules and lack of resources make it very difficult for developing nations to prosper.

• Human rights are only a problem in 'other' countries.

  Many believe Ireland has no human rights issues. Through peer investigation of topics like direct provision or homelessness, students learn that human rights must be constantly protected and improved everywhere, including at home.

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Methods used in this brief

• Simulation Game
• Gallery Walk
• Think-Pair-Share