Africa and the United Nations

Grade 12 · History

Semester 2 | Period 5 | Week 28

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Subject: History

Semester: 2

Period: 5

Week: 28

School Name: _______________________________

Teacher’s Name: _____________________________
Subject: History
Grade Level: Grade 12
Date: Week 28
Lesson Duration: 45 minutes
Week & Period: Week 28, Period V
Topic: Africa and the United Nations
Sub-topic: Contributions of Africa to the UN (Part 2)

 

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

  1. Explain Africa’s socio-economic contributions to the United Nations (health, education, humanitarian aid).
  2. Discuss Africa’s involvement in global issues such as climate change and sustainable development.
  3. Analyze the role of African blocs in the UN, especially AU–UN cooperation.

 

Previous Knowledge

  • Learners already studied Part 1 contributions: political roles, peacekeeping efforts, and leadership in the UN (Week 27).

 

Instructional Materials

  • Chart showing African health/education projects supported through UN agencies.
  • Short video clip or news article on Africa’s role in climate change talks (e.g., COP summits).
  • Diagram of AU–UN cooperation framework.
  • Chalkboard, markers, students’ notebooks.

 

Lesson Development – ABC Model

A – Anticipation (Starter / Warm-up)

Time: 5–7 minutes

Teacher’s Role

  • Display two images:
  1. UN doctors giving vaccinations in Africa.
  2. African delegates at a climate summit.
  • Ask students:
    • “What do these images suggest about Africa’s participation in solving world problems?”
    • “Do you think Africa only receives help from the UN, or does it also contribute?”

Learners’ Role

  • Share their opinions freely.
  • Recall examples of Africa working with UN agencies.

 

B – Building Knowledge (Main Lesson Body)

Time: 25–30 minutes

Teacher’s Role

Break the lesson into three main contributions with clear examples:

  1. Socio-Economic Contributions
  • Health:
    • African countries cooperate with WHO to combat diseases (e.g., Ebola outbreak in West Africa, COVID-19 response).
    • Africa shares indigenous health knowledge with global bodies.
  • Education:
    • African countries contribute to UNESCO programs (e.g., promoting literacy, cultural preservation, heritage sites).
    • Example: Timbuktu manuscripts (Mali) preserved under UNESCO.
  • Humanitarian Aid:
    • African countries contribute troops, relief supplies, and medical personnel to humanitarian missions in other regions (e.g., Ethiopia and South Africa sending doctors abroad).

 

  1. Africa’s Role in Global Issues
  • Climate Change:
    • Africa is a strong voice in UN climate conferences (COP meetings).
    • Example: African Group of Negotiators (AGN) push for climate justice and funding for vulnerable nations.
  • Sustainable Development:
    • African nations align with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
    • Countries like Rwanda and Kenya contribute models for clean energy and conservation.

 

  1. African Blocs in the UN
  • African states work collectively in the UN to strengthen their voice.
  • Example: African Union–UN cooperation framework (signed 2017) strengthens joint peacekeeping, humanitarian aid, and development programs.
  • Africa also coordinates through the African Group in the General Assembly to present common positions.

 

Learners’ Role (Activities)

  • Work in groups to match African contributions with specific UN agencies (WHO, UNESCO, UNDP, UNEP).
  • Role-play: one group as African Union delegates, another as UN officials, negotiating climate funding.
  • Short reading of AU–UN partnership declaration.

 

Quick Assessment During Lesson

  1. Give one example of Africa’s health contribution to the UN.
  2. Which African bloc negotiates with the UN collectively?
  3. How does Africa participate in climate change discussions?

 

C – Consolidation (Conclusion & Assessment)

Time: 8–10 minutes

Summary of Key Points

  • Africa contributes socially and economically through health, education, and humanitarian aid.
  • Africa participates actively in global challenges like climate change and sustainable development.
  • Africa strengthens its voice through regional blocs like AU–UN cooperation and the African Group in the UN.

Class Evaluation Activity

  • Oral questions:
  1. State two ways Africa has contributed to education through the UN.
  2. Explain Africa’s stand on climate change within the UN.
  3. What is the importance of AU–UN cooperation?

 

Assignment

  • Write short notes (1–2 pages) on:
    “Discuss Africa’s socio-economic contributions to the United Nations and explain how they affect global development.”
  • Group research task: Find one current UN–Africa project (health, education, or climate) and present it in class next week.

 

Differentiation / Inclusive Strategies

  • Struggling learners: Provide structured handouts with bullet points.
  • Advanced learners: Tasked with researching African climate policies at the UN.
  • Learners with disabilities: Use video/audio summaries of AU–UN cooperation.

 

Teacher’s Reflection (After Class)

  • Were students able to differentiate between Part 1 (political/peacekeeping) and Part 2 (socio-economic/global issues)?
  • Did role-play activity help students understand Africa’s negotiation power?
  • What areas need reinforcement in Week 29?