2007 Social Justice Sunday Statement
Student Activities
Who is my Neighbour? Australia’s role as a global citizen
The following student activities have been written to support the 2007 Social
Justice Sunday Statement, ‘Who is my neighbour? Australia’s role as a
Global Citizen.’
The activities are based on Edward de Bono’s Six Thinking Hats which
requires students to extend their way of thinking about a topic by ‘wearing’ a
range of different ‘thinking’ hats.
Other activities are based on Bloom’s Revised Taxonomy of cognitive
processes.
The writers of the student activities, Beverley O’Keefe, St Michael’s School,
Mittagong and Di Brown, Catholic Schools Office Armidale have designed the
activities to enable teachers to use tools for differentiating curriculum tasks to
address the diverse learning needs of students. The activities do not focus on
specific year levels, but have a wide range of strategies suitable for students
in Primary and Secondary school settings. The activities can be adapted to
address the learning outcomes for the various year levels.
Bloom’s Revised Taxonomy
Remembering
1.
Name the countries to which Australia has given financial aid over
the last 3 years and say how the money was used.
2.
On a blank map of the world locate and colour the countries where
Australian troops are presently deployed as peacekeepers.
3.
The Social Justice Sunday Statement from the Australian Bishops
encourages all Christians to be good global citizens. List the ways
that you can be a good global citizen where you live and work.
Understanding
1. Read the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). Compare it
with a time in your life when you were a ‘Good Samaritan’ for someone
you did not know. In small groups explain the circumstances and why
you chose not to ‘cross the road and walk on by’.
2. Read the scripture passage Matthew 5:46-48. Explain in writing the
plight of today’s disadvantaged or vulnerable people in the light of this
passage.
3. Joseph Stiglitz is quoted in this year’s Social Justice Statement
warning us we need to reduce the gap between economic and political
globalisation. Read the full quote and summarise the main points you
believe Joseph Stiglitz is making.
Applying
1.
Make a sculpture of your favourite part of the Parable of The Good
Samaritan.
2.
Illustrate the journey of refugees from the time they arrive in
Australian waters until they are allowed to settle in Australia.
3.
Write and illustrate a picture book explaining to young children the
role of the United Nations as peacekeepers in our world.
Analysing
1.
Outline the function of the United Nations. Write a report detailing
the difficulties the United Nations encounters in the world today.
2.
Compare the positive and negative aspects of globalisation in
relation to third world countries.
3.
Explain what steps need to be put in place to ensure that Australia’s
commitment to foreign aid and development continues regardless of
which political party is in power.
Evaluating
1.
The Australian Treasurer Peter Costello recently stated that ‘no
country has lifted itself out of poverty through aid. Aid can alleviate
suffering, improve health, and provide education. It can improve
skills. Economic growth is the real poverty buster.’
Form two groups and conduct a debate using this statement of
Peter Costello.
2.
Before the 2003 Iraq war, the then President of the US Conference
of Catholic Bishops said: ‘To permit pre-emptive or preventive uses
of military force to overthrow threatening or hostile regimes would
create deeply troubling moral and legal precedents.’
Form a panel to discuss this statement.
3.
The Social Justice Sunday Statement 2007 is a call to Christians ‘to
work confidently to build the Church as the people of God and to
view even the most alien Samaritan as our neighbour.’ In the light
of this statement write a Report outlining who you believe are the
‘most alien Samaritans’ in our world today.
Creating
1.
In the area of climate control and energy saving, we are challenged
by the Australian Bishops to examine our lifestyle and how our
choices affect other countries. Design a model of a house showing
features which will help to conserve energy and water.
2.
In a small group direct a movie using either iMovie or Movie Maker,
on the theme Who is My Neighbour?
3.
Produce a PowerPoint presentation titled Australia’s Role as a
Global Citizen. Include the five challenges outlined by the
Australian Bishops in the Social Justice Sunday Statement 2007.
Social Justice Statement 2007 Student
Activities
Who is my Neighbour? Australia’s role as a global citizen.
What are six ways that we can be good global
citizens as outlined in the Australian Catholic
Bishops 2007 Social Justice Statement?
Information and Data
Values and Benefits
Explore the achievements and benefits of the
two million Australians who give up their time
and income each year to use their skills and
expertise to assist people in third world
countries.
The United Nations (UN) remains committed to
setting standards of behaviour and policy for
sovereign nation states. What are the problems
and risks involved in reforming the role of the
UN?
Caution, Difficulties,
Problems and Risks
How can we overcome the issues of the ‘Pacific
solution’ relating to the detainment and
processing of refugees in such places as Nauru,
PNG? Outline alternatives.
Alternatives, Creativity,
Growth
Outline a proposal that you can present to your
Principal that will assist at a school level in
reducing the affects of climate change and how
we consume energy.
Facilitating, Organising,
Thinking about thinking
Write how you feel about Australian Forces
being deployed to the war in Iraq. Explain the
reasons for your feelings.
Feelings