Millennium Development Goals - Resources

This is a full day of activities on the theme of the Millennium Development Goals which Global Link has run in primary schools in Lancashire.  It is for a whole class and is an ideal enrichment/off timetable activity.

We have found at all the schools that have run this day that the pupils are really engaged

The day begins with pupils being introduced to the Millennium Development Goals, and they learn that these had been considered achievable goals in the struggle against extreme poverty.  Then, they are split into eight groups and, using a pack of materials provided, each group has to research one of the goals, then report back to their classmates- they can role play a news report, or make a poster, or do a power point presentation- it’s up to them.

The afternoon is spent in role play.  Some pupils take the parts of government ministers, arguing their case in Cabinet for their portion of the UK income- thus they will have to consider the relative merits of Defence, Education etc., as well as International Development.  Meanwhile other pupils are all in groups representing fictional NGOs- each one arguing their own approach to ending poverty- whether through education, health, clean water or Fair Trade.

When the whole class reconvene, the NGOs are told what percentage of the UK budget is available to them, and each NGO makes their case for the money.  Having heard their case, the Minister for International Development allocates the money to one or more of the NGOs.

The day ends with the pupils coming out of role and learning what percentage of the UK’s budget in fact goes to International Development.  Then they have the chance to allocate the money as they would prefer, individually. 

Finally they take part in an activity about what they as children can do towards the Millennium Development Goals. 

To run a day like this requires preparation and planning, which Global Link has already done- if you are in the North West we may be able to run the day for you.  If you are not in the North West, contact us, we may be able to train you to run the day yourself, using materials we provide.

For more information or to arrange and MDG day in your school, please get in touch

'It was a great and action-packed day- better than most lessons!'
'The best bit wa being the government and learning things and deciding who to give money to and what’s important about things.'
'I learnt that a lot of mums and babies die in pregnancy. That people are poor in other countries not just Africa.'