Human Rights Squares

Adapted from Human Rights Here and Now, a Publication of the Human Rights Educators Network of Amnesty International USA, Human Rights USA and the Stanley Foundation.
Source: Adapted from David Siman, Teaching Human Rights, (Denver: Center for Teaching International Relations Publication, U of Denver, 1993) 2-3.

Overview

This activity reveals what participants already know about human rights and the issues that are of concern to them. It also stimulates discussion about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and categories of rights.

Time
15+ minutes

Materials
Copies of Human Rights Squares Handout (PDF) and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)

Age
Elementary school - Adult groups

Procedure

Give everyone a copy of the Human Rights Squares handout. Everyone should try to get an answer and signature from a different person for each square. Stop after five minutes.
Debrief with the participants
- Which were the easiest squares to find answers for? The most difficult? Why?
- Which squares had global answers? U.S. answers? Local or community answers?
Present the UDHR written on a flip chart, or distribute as a handout. Discuss.
- Can you match any of these squares to articles of the UDHR?
- Which of the squares related to civil and political rights? To social, economic, and cultural rights?
- What additional squares might you create for this game?

Adaptation for smaller groups

This exercise can be adapted to smaller groups or for use in less time (10 minutes). Instead of using the handout, pick 5 questions from the chart and ask people to write down their answers. Read each question again and have people share their answers. Close with a brief discussion (2- 3 questions) relating the exercise to larger human rights issues or the UDHR.