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The Legacy of Imperialism 

Over the course of several hundred years, beginning with Columbus' voyage to the New World, the nations of Europe engaged in a race to control the world outside of Europe. These new "unexplored" lands were rich in resources and cheap labor and were seen by the European powers as a key to national wealth and security. At one point the areas of the world under control of Great Britain was so immense that it was said, "The sun never sets on the British Empire."

 

Beginning with the United States in 1776, countries began to shake free from the oppressive nature of imperialism. However, it was not a quick process (Great Britain had colonial holdings until the very end of the 20th century), nor was it always as successful as the United States independence proved to be. As imperialist nations began to grant independence to former colonies, some of which had been colonized for hundreds of years, they often left behind barren and polluted environments that had served their purpose to the imperialists, but would be far less useful to the newly emerging country. What were once rich social traditions were completely eradicated. Finally, after lifetimes of subjugation, they often left behind an uneducated, unskilled native population with no experience governing themselves in the modern world, or competing in a global economy. This is a simplified version of a story that has helped to fashion the modern world in which we live.

 

The Millennium Development Goals

We now live on a planet in which:

• more than a billion people exist on less than $1 per day.
• hundreds of millions of children are denied access to primary education.
• the under five child mortality rate is 121 out of 1000 in low-income countries.
   

In response to these and other striking measures of poverty, disease, and oppression, the World Bank, a global agency which lends money to countries in need, has developed the Millennium Development Goals. These goals provide an outline of needs to be addressed to ensure that every citizen of Earth has the opportunity to live a healthy life. The individual goals are:

1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
2. Achieve Universal Primary Education
3. Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women
4. Reduce Child Mortality
5. Improve Maternal Health
6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
7. Ensure Environmental Sustainability
    

The United Nations Declaration of Human Rights

On December 10, 1948 the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, this document contains 30 Articles outlining the rights of each citizen of Earth. While this document has been widely ignored by many in power, it serves as a valuable blueprint for a better world. It begins:

 

Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,

 

Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,

 

the full text can be found here .

 

Your Task

Taking on the role of citizens from a developing nation, your task will be to research the history and current conditions in your country with the purpose of developing a more complete understanding of the factors effecting the country. You will then, upon achieving a greater understanding of your homeland and its needs, create a detailed plan for a public works project designed to improve the living conditions of your fellow citizens. Along the way you will also be producing other materials including a public service announcement, and marketing and educational materials for your organization and your project. Finally, you will present your plan to a group of community members who will be taking on the role of international grant providers with the hope of convincing them to fund your project.

This panel of evaluators will weigh the quality of your research and printed materials, the validity and appropriateness of your plan, and your persuasiveness in presenting your argument in deciding whether to fund your proposal. Your project will also be judged against the other projects in the class. The judging panel has the resources to provide funding to 5 projects. To receive an "A" on this project, your group must achieve full funding from the panel.

Use the Millennium Development Goals and/or the Declaration of Human Rights to help you identify needs and project ideas for your country. Using one or both of these documents as a foundation for your proposal will help to ensure that your project is relevant and vital to your people. Finally, while conducting research and developing your plans keep in mind these words from the Chinese philosopher, Lao Tzu:

“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you have fed him for a lifetime”

 

Countries Teams may choose any of the following countries. Resources available for each are more than sufficient to achieve the goals for the project.
Western Hemisphere  Bolivia Haiti Dominican Republic  Jamaica Honduras Nicaragua El Salvador Asia Afghanistan Bangladesh Bhutan Lao PDR Papua New Guinea  Sri Lanka Timor Leste (East Timor)	West Africa Mali Niger Burkina Faso Sierra Leone  Senegal Guinea Togo Cote d'Ivoire Benin Mauritania	East Africa Sudan Djibouti Chad Mozambique Tanzania Central/Southern Africa Angola Botswana Zimbabwe Uganda Burundi  Namibia

Last Update: February 9, 2009