class

After reviewing directions and characteristics, we delved into the UDHR. First. history. Why do we need to declare that every human being has inherent rights? Made after WWII, country leaders intended to draw up a universal list of rights for all humanity, to ...

hm. after much board-sketching and charades, we all understood that we are talking about WWII. I drew out from them facts about the war: what countries were involved? what happened? I asked them about what happened in Germany, as the UDHR was largely a response to the atrocities committed during the holocaust.

nothing! wow. My monks had never learned this. But- I was certain-- I continued pressing the topic, giving more clues, even drawing the stereotypical face of Hitler with his moustache. Nothing. They'de never even heard his name before. Interesting- we get tricked into thinking that knowledge just comes with age... but it really does come with education ;).

After giving a brief overview of WWII, we talked about 4 articles of the Declaration. At the end, I asked them what they thought. There were wide smiles all around the table and nodding, 'very good, very good'. Moei said that if people do not listen to the rules there will be another world war.

Yes. He understands. The concept that where human rights are deprived, there is violence. Perhaps not direct violence, 'just' structural violence, but that if not creatively and gracefully dealt with, will transform into direct violence. People can only be treated as less than human for so long, and then their inherent right to dignity clicks in. Interesting.

That was a good class. It's always a good class when the teacher learns just as much as the students :).