UN Task Force:  Africa

Step 1:  Let's find out about the United Nations first.

The United Nations: An Introduction for Students will give you information on the history of the UN.

Now that you've gained some information on the history of the United Nations;  let's visit the UN without even leaving our school.  Visit the United Nations Virtual Tour.

Step 2:  Now we're ready to tackle some of the problems the UN faces every day.  You have chosen your topic and have your "UN TASK FORCE:  Africa"  worksheet to research and complete.  Be sure that as you gather information on your topic, you also fill in the "Work Cited" information for your bibliography. 

    RESOURCES: 

1.  Start with the collection of print resources, briefing paper folders,  and topic folders that are available from our library.

2.  Then you may search the Internet. 

provides you with links to all the resources the United Nations has to offer both students and teachers.  Just click on the logo and you can use this as your gateway to the UN... OR... go to the selected sites below.

   The UN has prepared Briefing Papers  for students.  Once you've selected a problem from the pull-down screen, you will be taken to an overview of the your selected topic.  Read about the progress that has been made already.  Focus on the issue.  Review the next steps being taken.  NOW.... you are ready to record the information you found on your UN Task Force card.   Check out the resources if you want to know even more.

NationMaster - is a vast compilation of data from the CIA, World Factbook, UN, and EECD.  You can generate maps and graphs of statistics.  You can also view profiles of individual countries.  For this project the key subtopics within each African country would be "education", "economy", "labor", "military". 

NetTrekker - is a an educational "search engine" for students and teachers to use in researching curriculum topics

Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights is the focal point of UN activities in the field of human rights.  Use the "Search" option whenever possible on all of these sites.

• UNICEF:  The United Nations Children's Fund devotes practically all its efforts to protecting children and promoting their rights.
• UNHCR:  The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees extends legal protection and humanitarian assistance to millions of refugees around the world, many of them children.
• ILO:  The International Labour Organization tries to reduce child labour.
• UNESCO:  The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization promotes universal respect for human rights through education, science and culture.
• UNDP: The United Nations Development Programme provides direct technical and financial assitance to developing countries, often benefiting children and mothers.
• FAO:  The Food and Agriculture Organization works to increase the production and availability of food in rural areas.
• WFP:  The World Food Programme brings food aid to the needy and hungry, the majority of whom are women and children. Highlight the Map "WPF Around the World" and select each region of Africa individually.  This is an excellent resource for Hunger and Famine.
• WHO:  The World Health Organization provides support to developing countries to strengthen their health systems.

Other websites you should consult:

Save the Children: Save the Children was founded in the United States in 1932 as a nonprofit child-assistance organization to make lasting positive change in the lives of children in need.

Human Rights Watch: is dedicated to protecting the human rights of people around the world.

Wonders of the African World - Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. as as your tour guide exploring the ancient African cultures and history.  Includes lesson plans for middle and high school students.

* Facts for Learning Trial Site   Select the red tab for Grades 5-8. Include "Africa" in any search term you use. (example:  "Africa famine" OR "Africa HIV")

*EBSCO - Online periodicals, newspapers, encyclopedia, and much more. Again...make sure to include "Africa" in any search to narrow down your results.

World Book Online - You may want to consult this resource for a definition and basic information on your topic.  (Please ask your librarian for your Login ID and Password.) 

NetTrekker - is a an educational "search engine" for students and teachers to use in researching curriculum topics.  We have this search engine for a trial basis.  Please ask Mrs. Samples for the login information

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Created by Barbara Swetits
Last updated  by Carol Samples 01/01/2008