Connect with the World! The University of
Minnesota has developed the Human
Rights Library on the World Wide
Web. More than 500 full-text human
rights documents, from the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights to resolutions
of the European Court of Human Rights
are on this exciting new electronic
site. Browsing this site is easy to
use, just point and click on the title
of the document. Searching is a very
useful feature and can link you to other
Web sites. The home page address is
On November 29, 1995, the Partners Project will present the Human Rights Education and Technology Workshop. Please see the inserted registration form for more information about the workshop and how to register. Calling All Internet Users.... The Partners Project is working to connect teams and students on the Internet. Teams in Grand Rapids and Bemidji are interested in connecting with other teams as soon as possible. If your classroom has access to the Internet and would like to be involved, please call or send your name, phone number, and Internet address to the Partners Project. Human Rights and the Arts The Partners Project needs your journalism, creative writing, and artistic efforts! Encourage your students to be creative. Each student may submit two works. Please send any copies of writings and art to the Partners Project offices by December 15, 1995. The collections will be available at the Human Rights and the Arts Workshop on January 24, 1996. Submissions may also be used in Amnesty International's Human Rights Education: The Fourth R, a national human rights education publication. In addition, the Partners Project will be forming a group to work with Creative Theatre Unlimited for future human rights education workshops. If you are interested, please call the Partners Project at (612) 626-0041. Let's have some fun with the ARTS! Curricula/Resources Please let us know about sources for human rights education posters, bookmarks, and other materials that you find helpful.
November Team Tip
Topic Focus Groups Forming Two human rights education focus groups are forming on death penalty education and a radio human rights program for high school students. Interested team members are encouraged to participate in the focus groups. Please call the Partners Project at (612) 626-0041. Take A Look at A Book! Please share with us a brief description of any book about human rights that you or your students have found inspiring.
What Happens Now? A play written, produced, and presented by the Youth Visions Program of Creative Theatre Unlimited. December
11, 1995 "What Happens Now?" is a gift from the hearts of young people who are foster children, have suffered from homelessness, have run away, or have faced the violence and fear of the streets. These young people are now discovering the arts as a means to change their own lives and the problems of their communities. The play follows the downward spiral of a family caught in the web of poverty that can overtake anyone who suffers a series of unforeseen difficulties. Youth Visions Program provides creative alternatives for young people to find outlets for their needs to express themselves about issues that affect their lives. This play evolved from a series of workshops that brought together Caucasian, African-American, and Cambodian young people from Minneapolis and St. Paul. The Partners Project would like to bring together classes throughout Minnesota to attend this play. If you are interested, please call the Human Rights Center at (612) 626-0041 to register your class as soon as possible as space is limited. A donation of a gift from the heart for a child between the ages of twelve and eighteen is requested. Sponsored by The City, Inc., The United Cambodian Association of Minnesota, The Minneapolis Star Tribune, and the University of Minnesota Human Rights Center. 1995-1996 Partners Project Fellowships Applications are available for Partners Project team members who are interested in applying for a 1995-96 fellowship for local, national, or international human rights opportunities. Completed applications including a letter from a human rights organization must be received by the Partners Project on or before March 1, 1996. For more information, to receive an application packet, or to discuss fellowship opportunities, please call (612) 626-0041. Human Rights Events Calendar November 6-11 Revitalizing Democracy through Multicultural Education. This sixth annual conference will address philosophical questions of policies and practices, classroom practices and pedagogies, school and community partnerships, and creating institutional change. The conference is open to teachers, parents, and community members. Sponsored by the National Association for Multicultural Education. FFI Betsy Flaten at (612) 638-9432. 7 Service Learning 101: An Introduction for Newcomers. Nadine Cruz will introduce participants to the practice of integrating community service with academic study. East Wing Room, fourth floor Coffman Memorial Union, East Bank, University of Minnesota. 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. FFI (612) 624-7577. 8 Can individuals with disabilities be considered together as a culture? Presentation by Jean Chalberg. St. Paul Student Center, St. Paul Campus, University of Minnesota. 12:00 noon. FFI (612) 625-8229. 9-10 Opening the Classroom Door: Fostering Learning, Strengthening Community. Parker Palmer, a nationally recognized writer, teacher, and activist, will speak about the renewal of community in higher education. Other workshops will be offered at the Collaboration for the Advancement of College Teaching and Learning Annual Conference. FFI (612) 228-9061. 9, 16, 30 Liberating Christmas, Liberating Ourselves: New Perspectives on Nativity. Winston Cavert will lead a discussion and reflection on Richard Horsley's book, The Liberation of Christmas which explores a different perspective on Christmas. St. Martin's Table. 7:15 p.m. - 9:15 p.m. FFI (612) 341-0871. 11 Words from Beijing: Women and Global Economics. Minnesota women who attended the Fourth International Women's Conference in Beijing will share the stories of Third World Women who are struggling against the effect of neo-liberal economics, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank. Resource Center of the Americas. 10:30 a.m. FFI (612) 647-9445. 11 Beijing to Minnesota: Fourth World Conference on Women. Speakers from a diversity of international and local organizations as well as those without group affiliation will discuss the issues of the Nongovernmental Organization Forum and Platform for Action. Sponsored by the International Women's Rights Action Watch, Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights, Harmony Women's Fund, and Women's International League for Peace and Freedom. 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Humphrey Institute Auditorium, University of Minnesota West Bank. FFI (612) 381-1389. 14 Reflections on the 1995 United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women. Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights representatives, Barbara Frey, Cheryl Thomas, and Gail Chang Bohr, will share their personal reflections and impressions and provide background on the objectives and major policy issues discussed at the conference. They will discuss the status of the U.N. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and other major policies. Minnesota Commons Room, St. Paul Student Center, St. Paul Campus, University of Minnesota. 12:00 noon. FFI Worldspan at (612) 625-8229. 14 What Happens Now? Middle and high school students from St. Paul will present a play about the realities of poverty in Minnesota. Cost to attend is a toy or gift for the Star Tribune's Santa Anonymous program. Sponsored by the Star Tribune, Creative Theatre Unlimited, and the University of Minnesota Human Rights Center. University of Minnesota Law School, Room 25. FFI (612) 626-7794. 18 Fiesta de las Americas. The 12th Annual Open House and Holiday Crafts Fair features traditional foods, crafts, live Latin American music, special activities for children and families, a silent auction, and a raffle with a grand prize trip for two to Costa Rica. Resource Center of the Americas. 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. FFI (612) 647-9445. 21 Faces and Images of Women at the International Women's Conference in Beijing. Experience a vibrant, interactive audio-visual presentation and meet three artists, Betsey Damen, Terri Hawthorne, and Donna Kelly, who captured in paintings and videos the faces and images of women from around the world. Minnesota Commons Room, first floor, St. Paul Student Center, St. Paul Campus, University of Minnesota. 12:00 noon. FFI Worldspan at (612) 625-8229. 28 After Beijing, Now What? -- Building a New Era of Women's Empowerment and Activism. Carolyn Chalmers, a visiting professor at the U of M Law School, Patricia Darling, an instructor at Metro State University, and Lee Vang, executive director of the Association for the Advancement of Hmong Women, will share their reflections on the World Conference on Women and discuss how to get involved in policy issues and become an activist. Minnesota Commons Room, St. Paul Student Center, St. Paul Campus, University of Minnesota. 12:00 noon. FFI Worldspan at (612) 625-8229. December 2 Chocolate Hour. Children's stories from Latin America in English and Spanish, special children's activities, and Latin American music. Resource Center of the Americas. 10:30 a.m. FFI (612) 625-4577. 4-5 National Youth Leadership Council Midwest Multi-Offering. Through interactive settings in various workshops, participants will cover the rationale, program models, curriculum and skill of reflection used in service-learning. The sessions will take place at the Coffman Memorial Union, East Bank, University of Minnesota. Deadline for registration is November 21, 1995. FFI Professional Development at (612) 631-3672. 9 Immigration Raids and Legislation: The Impact on Minnesota. Professor Anna Ortiz Montellano, Carleton College and member of Northfield Citizens Concerned, will share the story of recent raids in Northfield. Karen Ellingson, an attorney with Centro Legal, will discuss the latest immigration policies, their effects on Minnesota residents, and actions concerned citizens can take. Resource Center of the Americas. 10:30 a.m. FFI (612) 627-9445. 16 From the Streets of Colombia: Children Living on the Edge. Luz Dalia Sanchez, a medical doctor who works with street children in Bogota, Colombia, will present the reality of their lives and discuss the growing crisis and the responses to this situation. Resource Center of the Americas. 10:30 a.m. FFI (612) 647-9445. January 1996 2 - 19 Faces and Images of Women at the International Women's Conference in Beijing Gallery Exhibit. Paul Whitney Larson Gallery, St. Paul Student Center, St. Paul Campus, University of Minnesota. FFI Heather Holland at (612) 625-0241. Partners Project Dates to Remember November 29 Human Rights Education and Technology Workshop. University of Minnesota Law School, Room 25. December 15 Deadline for Submissions for the Human Rights Education and the Arts Workshop and Publications. 1996 January 20 Introductory Training in Worthington. 9:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m. January 24 Human Rights Education and the Arts Workshop. University of Minnesota Law School, 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. January 27 Follow-up Workshop in Madison. Campus Union, 9:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m. February 3 Follow-up Workshop in Grand Rapids. 10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. March 1 Deadline for 1995-96 Partners Project Fellowship Applications. March 20 Follow-up Workshop in St. Cloud. Courthouse, 3:30 -5:30 p.m. May 10 1995-96 Human Rights Fair and Recognition Event. Como Park Pavilion, St. Paul, 4:00 p.m. -8:00 p.m. Partners in Human
Rights Education Lesson Plan Celebrate Diversity and Similarity Kenwood
Elementary, Second Grade Materials:
Time: One class period. Students and team members introduce themselves, stating their names and their favorite color. Each child draws a picture of a flower on the mural paper. Form a circle with the students. Introduce the principle of equality to the students: all children have the right to be treated as equals, independent of who their parents are, where they live, and what they believe. Discuss the following questions with the students:
Assist the children to discover the similarities and differences between the flowers and children and how this relates to the principle of equality (i.e. children have the same basic needs and have different own talents and characteristics). Suggestion: Use a "talk ball" which allows the person with the ball to speak. Other students must listen while the other person has the ball. A quick reminder: Each team should send in at least one lesson by December 15, 1995. THANKS! Community ACTION! Project In the Spirit of Peace Murphy
Elementary School, Grade 3 The team members led discussions with the students about ten human rights over several lessons. In each lesson, the students drew pictures about what each right and its accompanying responsibilities meant to them. These drawings were displayed at a community peace celebration. The children planted a flowering crab apple tree at the school for the children of the Oklahoma City bombing and held a dedication ceremony. They also wrote individual letters to students in Oklahoma City. The students also created a room-sized canvas mural entitled, "In the Spirit of Peace." The children depicted many visual objects that the children felt represented their wishes for the children of the world. Students from an alternative middle school assisted with the project and learned about human rights and responsibilities. Example of Right and Responsibility Sheet: RIGHT: I have the same
rights as every child, RESPONSIBILITY: I should treat all
people, no matter who they are, Draw a picture of children enjoying the right and responsibility described above. Middle School Students Plan "A School for Iqbal" Students at Broad Meadows Middle School in Quincy, Massachusetts have raised over $16,000 through a national awareness and fundraising campaign to build a school in the village of Muridke, Pakistan. The school will honor the memory of Iqbal Masih, a 12 year-old boy who was shot and killed while riding his bicycle near his grandmother's home in Pakistan in April 1995. When he was 4 years old, his father sold him into child bonded labor for the equivalent of $12. He worked in the carpet industry for 6 years. At age 10, he escaped and began to speak out forcefully against child labor. In December 1994, Iqbal travelled from Pakistan to Massachusetts to receive a Reebok Human Rights Award. At that time, he also visited the students in seventh grade classes at Broad Meadows and told them his story. Upon hearing of Iqbal's murder, the Broad Meadows students met and developed a plan to build a school in Iqbal's village. Their goal to raise $5000 by December 1995 has been surpassed, but they are still accepting donations until the end of December. The suggested donation is $12, a significant number because it is the amount of money Iqbal's father received for selling him and his age when he visited the U.S. and when he was killed in Pakistan. Donations can be sent to: "A School for Iqbal Masih Fund," c/o The Hibernia Savings Bank, Quincy High School Branch, 731 Hancock Street, Quincy, MA, 02170. Amnesty International has called for an independent investigation of Iqbal's death. Countless other organizations and individuals have helped spread the word about the campaign: schools across the U.S., Scholastic Network, Nickelodeon, former President Jimmy Carter, Senators Ted Kennedy and Tom Harkin, the School Calendar Company, and Aerosmith. For more information about this powerful community action project, please contact: Broad Meadows Middle School, 50 Calvin Road, Quincy, MA 02169, telephone (617) 984-8723 or fax (617) 984-8834. |
National
Service-Learning Cooperative: The
K-12 Serve-America Clearinghouse.
The Clearinghouse, based in Minnesota,
maintains a national database of programs
and resources linking education with
community outreach, a materials library
for research and curricula, an electronic
bulletin board, and referrals to training,
peer consultants, and other resources.
University of Minnesota Vocational
and Technical Education Building,
1954 Buford Ave., R-290, St. Paul,
Minnesota 55108. FFI (800) 808-SERVE
or (612) 625-6276. E-mail: serve@maroon.tc.umn.edu
