The pictures and education material

With this simple and concrete story about the birth of Europe and human rights and the suggestions for lessons referring to several human rights, we hope to contribute to the promotion and dissemination of the important concepts dealing with human values and fundamental freedoms.
Next to this goal we also believe that this material will contribute to the development of what we call a European identity, by young children.
Discussions about daily life experiences can foster an attitude within children which promotes understanding, tolerance and friendship among all our nations and racial groups and contributes to the maintenance of peace.


How to use the cards?

The pictures can be shown on paper. It is also possible to print or copy them onto transparencies/slides for projection with an overhead projector.
Each picture is accompanied by a brief description. This description contains a short sentence referring to the story that is told by the 10 pictures. Picture and text are only giving some key ideas for the story, which you can complete according to your insight (group, situation, time…).
We also give a short description of the concepts that could be discussed during the activity. It also contains a reference to the relevant article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
Suggestions for possible activities are also given.
For yourself you can make use of the full text of the UDHR or of a simplified version of it. See http://www.unhchr.ch/udhr/lang/eng.htm and http://www0.un.org/cyberschoolbus/humanrights/resources/plain.asp

1. At first you can show the picture to the children and tell them the story about the birth of Europe and human rights. You may also show the pictures to the children and have them tell what is on and relate it to the story of Europe. Do this in a very calm way and with attention for the details. Give the children enough time to look at the beautiful drawings.
   
   
2. After you have told the story, ask the children what they thought and felt while they were listening. Provoke some discussion amongst the children and take part in it yourself.
   
   
3. The suggestions we give are very short and leave a lot to your own discretion. The most important is to encourage children to participate by involving their own real life experiences and events.
   
   Wishing you success and a lot of pleasure!
   

Note

If you may have any comments or suggestions on this material you may contact us at mensenrechteneducatie@vormen.org. Or if you want to know more about the activities of the (former) R.I.F. sub-network, please contact Jan Pouwels: JAN.POUWELS@PN.HAN.NL