4. Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Learning Goal
◻ Outline the purpose of the United Nations
◻ Describe the origins and significance of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)
Success Criteria
1. I can provide characteristics and features of the UDHR,
including the impact it has had on guiding human rights
globally
5. Read through the textbook pages 28 - 29 of your textbook:
“THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS 1948”
Create a Google Doc entitled 1.2 The United Nations Declaration
of Human Rights.
and record between 6-9 summary points in your document
from the reading.
Unpacking the UDHR
6. Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Watch the following videos and record 5 or 7 dot points in your
Google Doc
◻ The Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 4.5
minutes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTlrSYbCbHE
7. The 30 articles of the UDHR
◻ In pairs create a one Sentence summary of each of the articles
of the UDHR
◻ Choose the 3 “articles” that you believe are MOST important
for human rights and the 3 articles that you think are least
relevant for human rights.
Write a paragraph justification for your choice.
8. Australia’s role in the UDHR: Overview
Copy this into your Google Doc:
The Universal Declaration on Human Rights (the Universal Declaration)
was adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in 1948.
What role did Australia play?
◻ Australia was a founding member of the UN and played a prominent
role in the negotiation of the UN Charter in 1945. Australia was also
one of eight nations involved in drafting the Universal Declaration.
◻ This was largely due to the influential leadership of Dr Herbert Vere
Evatt, the head of Australia’s delegation to the UN. In 1948, Dr HV Evatt
became President of the UN General Assembly. That same year he
oversaw the adoption of the Universal Declaration.
9. Australia’s role in the UDHR: Overview
The Universal Declaration on Human Rights (the
Universal Declaration) was adopted by the United
Nations (UN) General Assembly in 1948.
Who was Dr HV Evatt?
◻ Dr HV Evatt was a prominent figure in Australia
politics during the middle of the 20th century. Prior to
coming to the UN, he had been a judge of the High
Court, Attorney-General and Minister for External
Affairs. Dr HV Evatt was renowned for being a
champion of civil liberties and the rights of
economically and socially disadvantaged people.
Read p.30 of the textbook as a class and answer
review 7.2 questions.
10. Activity: Interview with an Australian icon
Watch the following video to start your research:
◻ Doc Evatt in 2.5 minutes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljxZn3ZRkpU
◻ Article:
http://sydney.edu.au/news/84.html?newsstoryid=2912
◻ Article
https://www.unaa.org.au/learn/australia-and-the-un/
◻ Website
http://humanrights.org.au/human-rights.htm
11. Is the UDHR still relevant today?
◻ Choose 5 Articles from the UDHR to research.
1. In your Google Doc, discuss the significance of the Articles and how
important they are for life today. Discuss whether any of those
rights are irrelevant today.
2. Research any examples of where the rights contained in the
Articles are being breached in the modern world. Suggest what
action could be taken to ensure the rights are upheld.
EXTENSION
1. Present your research findings and conclusions in written form in a
Powtoon or Google Slides. Remember, this needs to be detailed
and include specific examples.
12. Extension - PEEL Paragraph
“The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is no longer
relevant in the modern world and should be disbanded.”
Write a PEEL Paragraph response that agrees or disagrees with this
statement. You should use your research findings, class notes and
discussions to respond to this statement.
Ideas you might like to include in your response:
◻ The purpose of the UDHR
◻ The international significance
◻ The Australian significance
