The presentation can only be copied or altered for non-commercial personal or educational use. © Citizenship Foundation Charity Reg No Author: M. Heath

Using Go-Givers lessons This PowerPoint is designed to inform, and to support critical thinking and discussion. Go-Givers PowerPoints can be used in their entirety OR content can be saved and edited. In order for the links and animation to work, always show the PowerPoints in ‘slide show’ view. The green dot in the bottom right hand corner of the slide indicates when the slide animation is complete. More information about using PowerPoint can be found herehere The LEARNING ACTIVITIES are an essential and integral part of this lesson. They are linked at the end of this PowerPoint.

In this lesson we will explore the meaning of equal opportunities.

Life is not always fair. Sometimes groups of people are treated more favourably than others.

Can you think of groups of people who might be discriminated against?

Sometimes people are discriminated against because of their: Age Ethnic group Class Disability Gender Religion Appearance Sexual orientation

Sometimes people are discriminated against because of prejudice. Others believe certain things about them without thinking about whether their opinions are reasonable or true.

Sometimes they take an attitude to people simply because they are different in some way. This is because humans, like other animals, have an instinct to protect their own group and keep out outsiders. Thinking people are able to overcome this primitive fear.

When people assume that all people belonging to a certain group have the same characteristics we call this stereotyping. In reality, every individual is different. That is why it is interesting to meet new people.

Each individual should be treated fairly and with respect. Everybody wins when people are able to contribute their talents and skills for the benefit of our society. When we are respectful of each other, people from different groups can live side by side without conflict.

Mount Rushmore, where the heads of 4 American presidents have been carved out of the rock, is sometimes called a ‘shrine to democracy’ … Many native Americans disagree!

Discrimination is harmful when it stops people from flourishing – when it affects their job opportunities, housing, education etc. When groups of people are treated badly, they get angry, and may become aggressive and start to cause trouble. This can make everybody’s lives unhappy, and possibly unsafe.

Discrimination can take many forms!

Choose a logo Imagine you are starting a new club. Your group must decide which picture best demonstrates to your members that everyone should be treated equally. You must negotiate within the group, and be able to give reasons for your choices. Click for Decision Maker

Glossary discriminate – to show favouritism prejudice – bias, unfairness stereotype – typecast, label instinct – a natural feeling characteristics – features, traits society – a group of people negotiate – discuss, confer, agree

Activities to complete this lesson include : Rate this lesson here.here Click on the image above to view and/or download learning activities. story writing designing an equal opportunities logo creating a cartoon to illustrate an unfair situation

If you enjoyed this lesson, why not try: Where Do You Stand? A lesson offering a number of issues on which children will have to think about where they stand. After listening to the arguments, for and against, will they change their opinions? Getting the Balance Right The importance of maintaining an appropriate balance between the rights of the individual and society. Interview with Shami Chakrabarti.

Useful Web Links - UNICEF fights for equality for all children- website for children about rights for all childrenhttp:// - resources, lesson plans, information and ideas for teachers and schools on children’s rightshttp:// dex.shtmlhttp:// dex.shtml the struggle for equal rights for travellershttp:// - Talking to children about prejudice and discrimination, a free web- based PDF guide produced by Barnardos & Save the Childrenhttp://

Useful Web Links - tips on beating prejudice in your schoolshttp:// 35&np=286&id=2348 – a guide to prejudice for childrenhttp:// 35&np=286&id= understanding prejudice – a website for students and teachershttp:// - teaching resource on prejudicehttp://