http://tinyurl.com/yax8gsc

 See the list of Speakers & their bios here.

“I Have a Dream” Speech

RESOURCES

The Seattle Times has developed an excellent website that communicates the life and vision of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. With resources for students, speeches, etc this is an excellent place to start.

The King Institute at Stanford University seeks to ensure that King’s ideas and ideals will benefit future generations. The Institute’s endowment supports research and educational programs that contribute to public understanding of King’s life and of the movements inspired by his message of peace with social justice.

Scholastic articles and resources for Martin Luther King, Jr and African American histroy provide valuable resources for teaching and instruction for all kinds of students. From articles, to biographical information, to plays, a helpful guide.

Every year on December 1st, people from all over the world spend the day learning, sharing knowledge with others, strategizing, and encouraging the millions of people around the world suffering from HIV/AIDS.

The slogan for World AIDS Day through 2010 is “Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise.” The promises referred to by the event organizers are those made by people and countries. The promises we respond to, as God’s people, are those God has given us in scripture and that are etched throughout the history of the church. Promises to relieve the burden of the oppressed and bring healing to those broken and diseased.

So how can you and your students participate in World AIDS Day this year?  Here’s a few ideas:

-wear a red ribbon in solidarity with AIDS victims and activists everywhere. to order in bulk and share with others, you can get them cheap from:
http://www.ribbonfactory.com/html/awareness_ribbons.html

-post a piece on your blog in the days prior to or the day of World AIDS Day (December 1st)

-have an informal gathering of friends over coffee to talk about AIDS and its consequences

-choose a charity to give a special donation to. Several good ones include:
http://www.engagehivaids.com
http://www.wr.org
http://www.worldvision.org/aoa.nsf/aids/home

-use the email signature here as your default email signature for the next several weeks. or use it as your facebook profile picture.

-check in on http://bejustice.blogspot.com for a daily resource/thought/action

-spend personal time in prayer for those with AIDS and those helping them.

-work with your church or school to have some sort of AIDS educational experience.

-contribute your own ideas to the comments of this post.  what have you done/are you doing to encourage students to think globally in this area?

World Aids Day Ribbon

Compiled by Tom DeiCas

These are ideas for one-time events to do with students to foster thought and action about justice.

A Hunger Banquet
A hunger banquet is a metaphor for food distribution about 1/2 of the people at the banquet eat only rice about 30% are served a small simple meal and about 20% are served a three course meal with desert the most can not finish. For more info contact Oxfam.org

Volunteer with Habitat for Humanity
Ask the local affiliate to introduce your group to a potential homeowner to put a name and face to some one who is living in substandard housing. Contact local affiliate habitat.org

Walk the Mall for Justice
Take your students to Washington, DC and contact Bret from the American Studies program. He will walk the Washington Mall and talk about Biblical Justice and public policy with your group
Contact bestsemester.com / 202-546-3084

Other ideas:

Tour a Recycling Plant to see how much can and is being recycled

Plan a day of fasting and prayer for the poor.

Take you students for a day of lobbying about an issue of justice.

Plan a day to pick up trash in your neighborhood with students.

Collect end of semester waste at your campus with students.

Do a weekend Immersion program.

Visit a local Catholic Worker House and hang out with the volunteers.

Find some local undocumented people and invite them to share their stories with students in the mist of helping them (provide a meal, clothing, etc.).

Host a one-time discussion about a hot topic with students and provide free refreshments.

Before any community service opportunity have someone from the organization talk about what they do and why.

Have a movie discussion with students.