WE Are Silent Secondary Lesson Package

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was created in 1948 by the United Nations General Assembly. This document lists the fundamental rights for all human beings and sets the standard for how we should behave towards one another so that everyone’s dignity and basic needs are respected. In 1989, governments worldwide adopted the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). These rights are based on what a child needs to survive, grow, participate, and fulfil their potential. They apply equally to every child, regardless of their nationality or socio-economic status.

Through WE’s WE Are Silent campaign, young people around the world stay silent in solidarity with children whose voices are not heard and whose rights are not upheld. In preparation for this important campaign, this lesson package is designed to support teachers as they explore children’s rights and the causes of the denial of those rights.

Each lesson in this package is organised into starters, main activities and plenaries, with suggestions for differentiation. Clear learning objectives and success criteria following Bloom’s Taxonomy of Learning ensure progression within each lesson and this package as a whole.

These lessons develop many aspects of character education and SMSC, with a holistic and tangible approach, encompassing local and global social awareness and action, and empower young people to make positive changes in the world around them.

Using dynamic, student-centred activities, students are encouraged to learn the facts and engage with the issues. After participating in this package, your students will emerge as children’s rights advocates, ready to take action with WE Are Silent. Together, let’s vow to break the silence for the voiceless.