This is the second of four environment-themed case studies (the others are the Chipko Movement in India, Right to Roam in UK and Sheffield Street Trees). This lesson uses the story of Wangari Maathai, Nobel Peace Prize Winner and the Green Belt Movement in Kenya to explore the concept of influence – who do we influence and who influences us?

This is one of four environment-themed case studies (the others are the Green Belt Movement in Kenya, Right to Roam in UK and Sheffield Street Trees). This case study is the story of how women in India in 1974 successfully resisted the cutting down of their forests by hugging the trees and setting up groups to guard them. The lessons explore the concept of ownership, introduce the idea of ‘impact assessment’ and use P4C discussion in and out of role.

This lesson is an opportunity for learners to apply their learning from the historical case studies to current examples of non-violent movements for change. In order to conduct this lesson teachers will need to do their own research of what might currently be happening locally, nationally and globally and provide links for the learners to support their own research. This lesson provides a bridge to the lessons on ‘Taking Action’ where learners decide whether they would like to take non-violent action about anything that they care about.