About This Lesson
Over the past 20 years, democracy has declined around the world. On every continent, countries are facing challenges to democracy, and people around the world find themselves experiencing more restrictions, fewer freedoms, and an increasing number of violations of their human rights. Democracy provides an environment that upholds fundamental freedoms and respects human rights; all who value human rights must take action to prevent further democratic decline.
Based on the framework provided by Timothy Snyder in On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century, Defending Democracy: Lessons for Building Resilience and Taking Action offers teachers a suite of 15 lessons to support students to be promoters and defenders of democracy and human rights. The curriculum includes 3 introductory lessons on democracy and authoritarianism, followed by lessons based on 12 actions that young people can take to fight the very real danger of authoritarianism. With an emphasis on critical thinking, media literacy, collaboration, and community building, Defending Democracy helps students gain the skills needed for individual and collective action to strengthen democracy.
