Unchaining Dreams: Collaboration and Critical Pedagogy Across Borders

Presented by: Mr. Richard Ford, Dr. Sushmita Hodges and Mr. John Finch

A ST. ANDREW’S CATHEDRAL AND ST PAUL ACADEMY’S SOPHOMORE CLASS JOINT PROJECT

The Study of Human Trafficking:

95 students from SPA and 26 from St Andrew’s Cathedral participate in exchange of views, research on specific topic of human trafficking in a particular region of the world.

Interaction happened on the following ning a form of social network where students can blog, post links to articles and videos for others to view and comment on. (http://unchainingdreams.ning.com/)

Teachers can respond to student posts and discussions

Process/Research:

Identified the global problem of human trafficking and looked at the various forms of modern day slavery for example, child labor, debt bondage, sex trafficking, child soldiers, and other forms of forced labor

3-4 SPA students paired with 1 student from St Andrew’s Cathedral to look at a common form of slavery in a designated part of the world.

Read articles and watched videos posted on the ning by teachers for students

Framework for Project

Differentiate between historical slavery and modern day trafficking

Look at reasons for the growing problem of human trafficking at the local and global level.

Intersection of globalization and labor exploitation

Effects of large scale migrations and immigration

UN, NGOS and grassroots movements working to combat human trafficking

Modern Day Abolitionist

Speaker from NOT FOR SALE

Students based on research and interaction came up with power point slides in their groups at SPA which were emailed to their partners in Australia to merge to and produce 1-3 minute final campaign videos which were uploaded on youtube.

Outcome to raise awareness to the problem and a means to combat human trafficking

Final Campaign Films

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wynxdJRqG_A&feature=youtu.be

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RtgbDC2LSo&feature=youtu.be

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rhat8csbwA&feature=youtu.be

NEXT YEAR

Have another school participate in the project

Focus on the local problem: Compare and Contrast problem in Minnesota, Sydney, Massachusetts, maybe India?

Come up with a service learning component where students work in groups in a participatory capacity with local organizations to either prevent human trafficking, protect and rehabilitate victims or prosecute traffickers.

Following organizations in MN are possibilities: Civil Society, Amnesty International, Not For Sale, Breaking Free

Service Learning Opportunities

• http://www.nfsacademy.org/backyard-academy/

• http://redlightrebellion.com/the-movement/taking-action/

• http://redlightrebellion.com/the-movement/abolition-campaigns/

• http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/article/2008/07/14/teens-take-stand-against-human-trafficking.html

• http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2011/05/14/minn-men-stand-up-to-human-trafficking/

 

Service Learning Opportunities

• http://www.breakingfree.net/files/breakingfree/files/Breaking%20Free%20Volunteer%20Opportunities%20%202012.pdf

• http://www.notforsalecampaign.org/news/topic/minnesota-not-for-sale/

• http://www.mngirlsnotforsale.org/ 

• http://civilsocietyhelps.org/

• http://www.notforsalecampaign.org/news/2010/04/20/stop-paying-for-slavery-tour-comes-to-twin-cities-minnesota/