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What Is a Refugee?
  1. Strand PHIL.I Definitions of Philanthropy
    1. Standard DP 01. Define Philanthropy
      1. Benchmark MS.3 Identify the philanthropic ideas embedded in a nation's founding documents.
    2. Standard DP 02. Roles of Government, Business, and Philanthropy
      1. Benchmark E.4 Define each of the sectors: business, government, civil society, and family.
    3. Standard DP 03. Names and Types of Organizations within the Civil Society Sector
      1. Benchmark E.1 Name and recognize the civil society sector as a separate part of the community.
      2. Benchmark MS.1 Recognize terms that describe the civil society sector.
  2. Strand PHIL.II Philanthropy and Civil Society
    1. Standard PCS 01. Self, citizenship, and society
      1. Benchmark MS.2 Discuss why some animals and humans will sacrifice for the benefit of unknown others.
    2. Standard PCS 05. Philanthropy and Government
      1. Benchmark MS.3 Identify the relationship between individual rights and community responsibilities.
  3. Strand PHIL.III Philanthropy and the Individual
    1. Standard PI 01. Reasons for Individual Philanthropy
      1. Benchmark MS.2 Explain and give examples of enlightened self-interest, egoism, and altruism as they relate to philanthropy.
      2. Benchmark MS.5 Describe the responsibility students have to act in the civil society sector to improve the common good.

In this lesson learners define and discuss terms related to refugees and the common good. They explore the refugee experience and recognize some of the causes and effects of being a refugee. Analyzing The Universal Declaration of Human Rights gives learners the opportunity to explore basic human rights and the concepts of enlighened self-interest and the common good.

Duration: 
PrintTwo 45-Minute Sessions
Objectives: 

The learner will:

  • define terms related to refugees and civil society.
  • identify the four sectors (government, business, nonprofit, household).
  • identify the different reasons people seek asylum in the world.
  • explore the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and relate their own rights and those of others to enlightened self-interest and the common good.
Materials: 
Bibliography: 
Instructions: 
Print

  1. Anticipatory Set:

    Ask the students to form groups of three to four people to discuss the images in the UNHCR LEGO posters (versions without text): “What’s Wrong Here?” and “Spot the Refugee.” 

    1.What does the title imply?What traits on the LEGO characters would indicate they are a refugee?

    2.Are there any differences among the various LEGO characters? If so, what are they?

    3.What may be the purpose of this poster?

  2. Reconvene as a whole group. Have each group present their discussion results to the rest of the group. 

  3. Show the posters with text. Based on what they have seen and read on the posters, they discuss the potential implications of being a refugee. Define refugee together.

  4. There are four sectors that interact to address neeeds in society. As you read the handout, "The Four Economic Sectors," think about which sectors we are part of and act within as members of society (even though we are young). Read together and clarify distinctions through discussion. Identify examples of the for-profit and nonprofit sectors. Use the vocabulary handouts as reference.

    To help refugees, the USA fo UNHCR nonprofit organization works with the inter-governmental UN Refugee Agency in addressing issues related to refugees. This is an example of how sectors can work together to address an issue.

  5. Distribute copies of “Universal Declaration of Human Rights (abbreviated)” and discuss what rights each person is entitled to have as human beings.

    (You may also want to use the unabridged version of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for interested learners.)

  6. Pose the question, "Why should we, as part of the Family/Household sector, be concerned about the rights of others?"

    Define and discuss enlightened self-interest as "sacrificing time and resourcesfor the benefit of the whole, which, in turn, benefits self; understanding that what is good for the community is good for me."

    Guide a discussion relating self-interest to the common good (good for the community).

  7. As an exit card, learners complete the following statement: “The most important right that all humans should have is ___________________________ because ______________________________________________. Without this right,people would feel _________________________________ because they would not have __________________________________________.”

Reflection: 

As an exit card, have learners complete the following statement: “The most important right that all humans should have is ___________________________ because ______________________________________________. Without this right, people would feel _________________________________ because they would not have __________________________________________.”