Ever since Africa was liberated from colonial rule there have been more issues, problems and
suffering than excitement to develop and evolve as a thriving continent. The media usually
describes Africa as a “continent in crisis,” and a “region in turmoil.” Whatever the term the
media uses to describe Africa, it is unfortunately mostly the truth of the struggle the African
people have been going through for decades.
In this project you and partner will be working together to research a major issue that is crippling
a nation or region of Africa.
FIRST STEP:
1. Pick an issue affecting a particular nation or region in Africa that you and your partner
are interested in researching. This issue should also be one that you and your partner
could find ways or create ways that you could help those living there be able to resolve
the issue that is devastating their nation, region, people, etc.
SECOND STEP:
Answer the following on a word document.
1. Describe the nation or region you are researching by using the 5 Themes of Geography.
2. After you have decided on an issue begin researching that issue.
3. Define what the issue is.
4. How and when did it begin?
5. How long has it been affecting that nation or region?
6. What is being affected? How?
 People?
 Environment?
 Government?
 Economy?
 Others around the nation or region?
 Rest of the world?
 Others?
7. How has the government tried to alleviate the issue? (What is their point of view of the
issue)? What have they done and are doing? Why should the government continue or
not continue what they are doing? If they are not doing anything now, have they tried in
the past and if so what did they do? Why are they not trying to alleviate the issue?
8. Have there been others (other governments, countries, organizations, businesses,
individuals, etc) that have tried to alleviate the issue? If so who and what did they do or
what are they doing now?
THIRD STEP:
1. If you and your partner were co-founders of a private organization that was out to help
resolve the issue that is debilitating your nation or region, what type of organization
would you be? How would you go about resolving the issue? How would you get the
government involved or why would you not? How would you go about educating and
helping the people of your nation or region? How would you get the World Community
involved to help the people and the government(s) of your nation or region?
FOURTH STEP:
1. Take all of your answers from step 2 and 3 and write a 2-3 page letter to the United
Nations describing what is the issue in the nation or region your researched. Explain how
the people of that nation or region have been affected and what they are dealing with?
How and what has or has not been done to alleviate the problem. Who has been involved
in the past or recent present to help resolve the problem? Describe what you think should
be done and why you think the United Nations should be involved in helping the people
of the nation or region you have researched. What do you think the United Nations
should do to help resolve or alleviate the problem that has been debilitating your nation
or region?
2. Your letter should be one that convinces/persuades the U.N. to get involved and help
resolve or alleviate the crisis that is occurring in your nation or region. You need to let
them know why you need their help and why the Global Community should be helping
your nation or region and what they need to do.
3. Your letter should be headed appropriately and dated (see example).
4. Needs to be in letter format (see example).
5. You need to make sure to sign your letter appropriately.
6. Check for spelling and grammar errors.
Date
Delegates of the United Nations
United Nations
1st Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Subject: What is your subject of your letter?
Dear U.N. Delegates,
First paragraph
Second paragraph
Sincerely, (return four spaces after Sincerely and put your names).