Minorities in India, the US, Nigeria, Russia and China

Committee Overview

The Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly, or the Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural Committee (SOCHUM), focuses on issues dealing with fundamental human rights in the international community. SOCHUM was founded in 1945 in reaction to the establishment of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights. The Third Committee promotes and enforces basic freedoms and ideals meant to be enjoyed by the entire international community such as the right to life, the expression of cultures, the freedom of political participation, the protection of children’s rights, and the promotion of social development, among many others. SOCHUM derives its legitimacy from the original United Nations Charter and operates with the goal of designing peaceful settlements for issues within the large spectrum of social, humanitarian, and cultural complications in the international community. This body does so by initiating studies that encourage recommendations for the promotion of international cooperation and fundamental freedoms for all.

Instructions

1. Start your study by sharing a Google Doc and a Google Slideshow with everyone in your group.
2. When you do research, copy and paste interesting parts into your doc and the link to the source.
3. Start looking online for information about the following topics. Divide the minorities / oppressed / vulnerable people between you. Choose 3-5.
4. When you find good information, copy and paste and cite the source, you can put it in your own words later and combine information (paraphrasing).

Presentation Headings

1. Country Profile
   General information about the country and its statistics.
2. Country minorities
   General information about all the differents minorities and statistics.
3. Information about ? Minority
   Background information: How has the minority been treated historically?
   What is the situation now? Persecution, discrimination, rights (law).
   What is the government doing regarding the minority?
   What about non-governmental organizations (NGOs) – which NGOs are present and fighting the cause?
   Which international treaties has the country signed or failed to sign regarding minority rights?
4. The Affects of the Coronavirus Pandemic on the Minorities

Credible Sources

Country Profiles

CIA Factbook

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

UN Protect Human Rights

UN Global Issues

UN Treaties

Citing Sources

Only use credible sources. Cite your sources / slide. Ask yourself the following questions: 

• Who is the author of the source?
• Where was the source published?
• What information does the source include and what does it look like?
• When was the source published or updated?
• Why did the author create the source?

Cite the sources on each slide (for example, MLA format):

Source

Jameson, James. “10 Tips on How to Cite Sources.” The Magazine, 20 Aug 2019, guardian.com/article/citesources. Accessed 3 May 2020.