A Note for Teachers

• Facing History and Ourselves is an educational charity providing teaching resources to help young people develop as empathetic, critical thinkers, who understand the role they can play in shaping society for the better. We believe that civic agency is developed through intellectual rigour, emotional engagement and ethical reflection. Learn more about us on our website.

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• This PowerPoint presentation has been created to be used in a S1-S4 and KS3-KS4 assembly on World Humanitarian Day.

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• While you may need to modify this presentation to meet the needs of your students, please note that Facing History and Ourselves does not endorse your changes that alter the presentation's content or original layout.

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World Humanitarian Day�Assembly

Facing History UK Assemblies

#ChangeStartsWithMe

World Humanitarian Day

What is World Humanitarian Day and why does it matter?

United Nations

What is World Humanitarian Day?

• World Humanitarian Day takes place annually on 19^th August.
• It is an opportunity to celebrate aid workers who devote (and sometimes endanger) their lives to help others.
• The theme for 2025 is #Strengthening global solidarity and empowering local communities. It highlights the importance of working with communities as partners, decision- makers and agents of their futures.

United Nations

Word Associations

What words or phrases come to mind when you hear the following word:

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Humanitarian

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What Is a Humanitarian?

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Watch the video ‘What Is a Humanitarian?’. As you watch, think about the following questions:

1. How are humanitarians described?
2. Why might humanitarians be seen as ‘global citizens’?
3. Why is it important to recognise the work of humanitarians?
4. How can we behave like humanitarians in our day to day lives?

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Defining Humanitarian

Humanitarian

noun

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(a person who is) involved in or connected with improving people's lives and reducing suffering.

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Humanitarian workers are also known as aid workers.

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Humanitarian Principles

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All humanitarian actions are guided by the principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence.

The European Commission defines the principles as:

• Humanity means that human suffering must be addressed wherever it is found, with particular attention to the most vulnerable.
• Neutrality means that humanitarian aid must not favour any side in an armed conflict or other dispute.
• Impartiality means that humanitarian aid must be provided solely on the basis of need, without discrimination.
• Independence means the autonomy of humanitarian objectives from political, economic, military or other objectives.

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Why do you think these humanitarian principles are important?

Community-Based Approaches: The Key

to Humanitarian Success

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The theme #Strengthening global solidarity and empowering local communities highlights the importance of working with communities as partners, decision-makers and agents of their futures.

As you watch the video about South Sudan think about the questions:

• What are the benefits of working with communities in the delivery of humanitarian aid?
• What are the challenges and problems that arise when people rely too much on international & external organisations?

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Exit Ticket

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Take a moment to think about the following prompts:

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It is important to recognise the work of humanitarians because _______________________________________.

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Working with communities is important because __________________.

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I can behave in humanitarian ways in my life by_____________________________.

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