Problems on Planet X
This activity highlights how rights are interrelated –
for example, it is no use giving people the right to a livelihood
if this denies others their right to a safe environment or clean
water.
Explain to pupils that despite the guidelines, a conflict has
arisen on Planet X. Pupils may wish to identify a potential conflict
of interest in the lists of rights that they already have. Alternatively,
the following may be used: ‘One group wants a safe, pleasant
area near a river to build houses. Another group wants to use
the same location to build a factory which it says will provide
work and useful goods. The factory would use some of the river
water and might cause noise and pollution.’ Ask pupils to
get into groups and find a solution to this conflict. How would
they solve the conflict without denying the rights of one group?
Would they do anything to try and bring the two groups together?
How might they do this?
Linking rights
Put all the lists of rights that have been used in Lessons
1, 2 and 3
on a large sheet of paper and fix this to the wall. Now ask pupils
to take a pen and draw lines between the lists which show the
interconnections. For example, a child’s right to live with
its parents links to other rights about homes and security. As
a class, discuss the interconnections. Are there any rights from
any of the lists which seem different and have no links? Look
at these again and see if any connections can be made.
Adopt a right
Ask pairs or small groups to ‘adopt’ one right,
from any list, which they feel strongly about. In order to adopt
their right they must consider what personal responsibilities
they will need to accept. For example, if they choose the right
of having enough to eat, their responsibilities might include,
as far as possible, eating a sensible diet, not wasting food,
and paying a fair price for what they eat. Ask pupils to list
their responsibilities and get them accepted by the rest of the
group before they claim their right.
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