[hr-education-na] Re: Seeking advice on role-playing exercise

Dear Vincenza Nazzari and Jack Hammond,

A group of teachers that I work with is developing a role-playing
curricular activity around peace and social studies, and it is possible
that they will focus on water issues. If you would be willing to forward
me the details of the activities that you've developed on human rights and
water issues respectively, I would appreciate them immensely.  I'm certain
that they will inform my thinking and if it all works out as hoped, will
inform the thinking of my group as well.

Much obliged, -Bill Shorr, Coordinator
The Teachers' Network @ the harvard graduate school of education


  --- the forwarded message follows ---



---------- Forwarded message ----------
>From: owner-hr-education-na@hrea.org [mailto:owner-hr-education-na@hrea.org]
>On Behalf Of Vincenza Nazzari
>Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2004 8:32 AM
>To: hr-education-na@hrea.org
>Subject: [hr-education-na] Re: Seeking advice on role-playing exercise
>
>Dear Jack,
>
>At the Canadian Human Rights Foundation we have been successfully using
>simulation activities (which are in essence maxi-role plays)  during our
>annual International Human Rights Training Program (IHRTP).
>
>A short note about our program:
>
>Now in its 25th year, the program brings together about 120 human rights
>workers and (in the last 5 years human rights educators in particular) for
>three weeks in Montreal. The goal of the IHRTP is to increase the capacity
>of human rights organizations to carry out human rights education activities
>aiming towards building a global culture of human rights.
>
>Simulation activity process
>
>The key to the success of this type of activity is good organization,
>sufficient background information presented in an accessible manner, (be
>careful of information overload)clear instructions and good facilitation.
>I will briefly describe one activity below.
>
>A short description of the simulation: "Protest Against Hydro Power Dam
>Project"
>The aim of the simulation is to have participants consider how monitoring
>activities can help identify and meet human rights education needs in the
>community. Participants take part in an investigation where monitors will
>gather information about alleged human rights violations as well as prepare
>and conduct a press conference.
>
>The Scenario is as follows:
>
>A group of activists and villagers have approached a monitoring NGO to see
>in what way it could assist them in finding redress or bringing attention to
>their situation. They allege that their civil and political rights have been
>violated as a result of protesting against a hydro dam construction project
>that they claim would affect their economic, social and cultural rights. The
>NGO accepts to investigate. At the end of the investigation, the NGO
>monitors deliver their report at a press conference and answer questions
>from journalists.
>
>I tried to attach a copy of the complete simulation activity to this email
>however it bounced back. I will gladly sent it to anyone who send me an
>email. I have forwarded it to Jack directly.  Other materials from our
>International Human Rights Training Program are available on our website.
>www.chrf.ca
>
>I hope you find this useful and we would be most pleased if you could write
>to us and let us know how you used the materials.
>
>Look forward to hearing from anyone who will have used these materials.
>
>
>Vincenza Nazzari
>Director of Education
>Canadian Human Rights Foundation
>Montreal, Qc.>
>
>
>Jack Hammond wrote:
>
> >I plan to do something new in class this semester and would like to hear
>>from others who have tried something similiar.
> >
> >In a college class on Latin America I plan to do a role play of the
>>Cochabamba water war. I was reading something about it and it occurred to
>>me that it would be a good role-playing exercise with people playing
>>different community members, the local government, the national
>>government, Bechtel, NGOs etc. I have no experience in doing this kind of
>>thing (but I put it on the syllabus so I am committed to it!).
> >
> >Can anyone help me out by describing their experience or suggesting
>>something to read?




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