Debt, poverty

changing the world

and

Whose responsibility?

Aim:

to be able to evaluate why people are concerned about poverty and consider whose responsibility it is to deal with it.

“Right,” said Roger, the self-appointed captain of the lifeboat. “There are twelve of us on this vessel, which is great, because it can hold twenty. And we have plenty of rations to last until someone comes to get us, which won’t be longer than twenty-four hours. So, I think that means we can safely allow ourselves an extra chocolate biscuit and a shot of rum each. Any objections?”

The Lifeboat story

“Much as I’d doubtless enjoy the extra biscuit,” said Mr Mates, “shouldn’t our main priority right now be to get the boat over there and pick up the poor drowning woman who has been shouting at us for the last half hour?” A few people looked down into the hull of the boat, embarrassed, while others shook their heads in disbelief.

“I thought we had agreed,” said Roger. “It’s not our fault she’s drowning, and if we pick her up, we won’t be able to enjoy our extra rations. Why should we disrupt our cosy set-up here?” There were grunts of agreement.

“Because we could save her, and if we don’t she’ll die. Isn’t that reason enough?”

“Life’s a *****,” replied Roger. “If she dies, it’s not because we killed her. Anyone for a digestive?”

• There are 1.4 billion people in our world living off less than $1.25 a day – about 80 pence

• Another 1.2 billion live on less than $2 a day

Global Perspective

Whose problem? "Everyone has the right to a standard of

living adequate for the health and well-being of oneself and one's family, including food, clothing, housing, medical care, education...“ (Article 25, United Nations Declaration of Human Rights: 1948).

To Think about, discuss and write down your opinions.

1. Should people be expected to help other people who need helping?

2. Can you pick and choose who deserves to have human rights?

3. Can you deserve human rights if you allow others to have theirs abused?

Watch the video, and write a descriptive paragraph about

how it made you feel watching it.

To think about “If everybody was religious, world poverty

wouldn’t exist”. Do you agree? Give reasons for what you think. 5EV

Whose responsibility?

Aim:

to be able to evaluate why people are concerned about poverty and consider whose responsibility it is to deal with it.

Pyramid Plenary

Describe one thing you could do to fight

poverty

Do you think we should help

others?

Explain the message in the lifeboat story?

In each section of the pyramid write your answer to the three questions.