Interactions among the global community

Canada builds relationships with countries worldwide to support various causes. Sometimes it works alone, and sometimes with other groups.

Big problems require global teamwork. But countries often disagree on solutions, making it tough to collaborate.

That's why groups like the United Nations are essential. They bring countries together to promote peace, security, and human rights.

How does the United Nations work?

Countries formed the United Nations in 1945 after the devastating Second World War. Germany, Italy, and Japan fought against the Allied powers, including Britain, France, the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Germany, led by Adolf Hitler, threatened to invade Poland. He hated the Jewish community and other marginalized groups, wanting power over other countries in Europe. France and Britain promised to defend Poland if Germany invaded them.

On September 1, 1939, they declared war on Germany. Canada joined soon after.

During the Second World War, the Holocaust happened. This is where Hitler and his followers killed six million Jewish people. They also killed disabled people and people from the LGBTQ community. Jewish people were targeted because of their identity.

At this time, Canada had very strict immigration policies. Jewish people trying to flee the horrors of Nazi Germany were treated differently than other refugees wanting to come to Canada.

There was a policy at the time called The “none is too many” policy. This meant Canada was unwilling to accept Jewish refugees because of their identity. This is an example of antisemitism or the hatred of Jewish people.

The Second World War killed over 75 million people. This included soldiers and people not fighting in the war. It also caused great damage to buildings, infrastructure, and the mental health of those who lived during this time.

Because of this death and destruction, world leaders were having conversations about human rights. They never want to go through another world war. These leaders agreed on the need for a standard that would hold leaders accountable. This led to the creation of the United Nations.

After the United Nations was created, they set out to create a document that preserved human rights for people around the world. Canadian lawyer John P. Humphrey became the first Director of the United Nation’s Division of Human Rights. He was given the very important role of creating the first draft of the document outlining worldwide human rights. This became the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights isn’t a set of international laws. This means that countries aren’t breaking international laws if they don’t follow this document. They do, however, outline how people around the world deserve to be treated and respected.

In the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, there are 30 articles that outline rights and freedoms. These rights and freedoms should be granted to everyone no matter their nationality, age, gender identity, religion, and more.

Some of the rights and freedoms included in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights include rights to education, freedom of expression, education, and housing.

Let’s research!

Has the Universal Declaration of Human Rights changed Canada’s approach to human rights?

You’ll be doing your own research into Canada’s human rights records in the years after the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was signed.

Consider exploring the following topics for your research. However, you aren’t limited to this list and can research topics beyond what’s listed:

• Canada’s response to the Vietnamese refugee crisis after the war in Vietnam
• The drafting of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms in 1982
• The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action

Complete the fillable and printable My Research Organizer in your notebook or using the following document. If you would like, you can use speech-to-text or audio recording tools to record your thoughts.

Human rights: then and now

The creation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights set a universal standard for human rights. For the first time, countries around the world all agreed to sign the Declaration, acknowledging that everyone deserves universal rights and freedoms, including dignity, equality, and liberty regardless of a person’s age, gender identity, race, nationality, and more.

It also opened the door for countries like Canada to create more human rights laws. The first two articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that focus on freedom and equity are the foundation of the Canadian Human Rights Act.

Putting it all together!

Now, it’s time to share the research topic you chose about Canada's human rights!

In a format of your choice, you’ll put together your research and the information you gathered in your organizer to share this important piece of Canadian history with others.

You’ll use the information from your graphic organizers, as well as any other images or graphics, to communicate your ideas. You may consider displaying your research in one of the following formats:

• A report for your school newsletter
• An infographic
• A poem

Reflection

As you read through these descriptions, which sentence best describes how you are feeling about your understanding of this learning activity? Press the button that is beside this sentence.

Now, record your ideas using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.