WHAT IS HUMAN DIGNITY AND HOW CAN WE PROTECT IT? 2 REFLECT ON YOUR LEARNING UNDERSTAND
1. Explain the term ‘human dignity’ in your own words. 2. Name and explain a) two basic needs and b) two wants that a teenager might have. 3. Name two social or emotional needs that might be important for human dignity.
4. Explain how a) homelessness and b) lack of access to clean water can be a threat to a person’s human dignity.
5. How can homelessness affect the ability of a child to function properly at school? 6. If you wanted to tackle an issue of human dignity in your community, would you: (a) Do something directly yourself to tackle the problem? (b) Use your voice as a citizen to influence the government to act? Give a reason for your choice.
7. Which of the following would you consider to be threats to human dignity? (a) No access to toilets or sanitation (b) No access to the internet (c) Cyberbullying (d) Not living close to a cinema
(e) Not living close to any medical facilities (f) Not enough fuel for the winter in Ireland (g) Being forced to leave your country during a war (h) Being put in detention at school
DISCUSS
Have a short discussion (5–10 minutes) in pairs or groups on whether it should be the job of the government or of charities to deal with most threats to human dignity.
Listen to each other carefully and note down any good points that you had not considered.
Report back to your teacher and the class on what you discussed and whether you mostly agreed or disagreed, stating why.
RESPONSE JOURNAL
REFLECT Visit page 8 of your Response Journal to complete your end-of-topic reflection and see how your knowledge has developed.
