Contextualization
Introduction
The United Nations (UN) is an intergovernmental organization created to promote international cooperation in areas such as security, economic development, human rights and world peace. Created in 1945, after World War II, the UN aims to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations between nations and promote social and economic cooperation.
Besides the UN, there are several other intergovernmental organizations such as the European Union, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), the World Trade Organization (WTO), the World Health Organization (WHO) and many others. These organizations play a crucial role in collaboration and cooperation between countries at global, regional and thematic levels.
Contextualization
In this increasingly globalized world, these organizations, especially the UN, have a crucial role in mediating conflicts, promoting development and safeguarding human rights. The UN's work is felt in all regions of the world and directly impacts the lives of millions of people. Whether through its peacekeeping missions, development programs, health campaigns, humanitarian actions in disasters and conflicts, or its world conferences to address global issues.
Intergovernmental organizations, as representatives of their members made up of sovereign nations, play a significant role in the world scenario. They help shape and reshape international relations, both in terms of politics, trade, culture, and the environment. Studying them helps to establish a critical understanding of global geostrategy and world events.
Recommended Research Sources
- UN official website for up-to-date news and information on its various actions and programs.
- Britannica Encyclopedia, specifically the article on the UN and on intergovernmental organizations.
- The Geography section of the Mundo Educação website has several interesting articles on the subject.
- The documentary "The UN in the Crosshairs of History: 1945-1995" available on Youtube.
Practical Activity
Activity title: UN and Intergovernmental Organizations - A Global Board Game.
Project Objective
Develop a board game that represents the UN and intergovernmental organizations and their respective actions in promoting peace, international cooperation, economic development, and human rights.
Detailed Project Description
Students, in groups of 3 to 5, will have to create a board game that includes key elements of the work of the UN and other intergovernmental organizations. The game should be designed to promote understanding and knowledge about these institutions and the impact of their actions globally. The students who created the game should play it at the end to make sure it is functional.
Necessary Materials
- Cardboard or other rigid material for the board
- Colored paper
- Pens, colored pencils, markers
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Glue
- Pieces to represent players (eg: bottle caps, buttons, etc.)
Detailed Step-by-Step Activity
1. Research
Students should research the UN and other intergovernmental organizations. They must understand the purpose of each organization, their most impactful actions, and how they influence the world.
2. Game Planning
The group should plan the game. What will its format be? What are the rules? How will intergovernmental organizations be present in the game? This will require a lot of discussion and teamwork.
3. Game Creation
Students should then create the board, using the available materials and creativity to represent the concepts and actions of intergovernmental organizations in the game.
4. Rule Making
Students should write a detailed set of rules for the game that are clear and fair. They should ensure that the rules reflect the principles of the UN and the other intergovernmental organizations being studied.
5. Game Testing
Finally, students should play the game to make sure it works, is interesting, educational, and that the rules are clear and fair.
Project Deliverables
At the end of the project, students must submit:
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The Board Game: With all its pieces, cards, board, and the set of rules.
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Project Report: Comprising four sections - Introduction, Development, Conclusions, and Bibliography.
The Project Report should be structured as follows:
1. Introduction:
Students should contextualize the theme, explain the relevance of the UN and intergovernmental organizations, and the objective of this project.
2. Development:
Students should describe the entire process of creating the game. Here they should explain how the study of the UN and intergovernmental organizations influenced the development of the game, what were the greatest difficulties encountered and how they were overcome. Furthermore, students should indicate the methodology used to create the game and discuss the results obtained when playing it.
3. Conclusions:
Students should conclude the work by revisiting their main points, making explicit the learning achieved and the conclusions drawn about the project.
4. Bibliography:
Students should indicate the research sources used to work on the project.
