The UN Human­Rights­Council

A Conference Simulation

In this conference simulation, participants reenact the work of the UN Human Rights Council. They take on the roles of representative actors and engage in negotiations to discuss whether the death penalty is compatible with human rights, and then vote on resolutions. During the debriefing, participants reflect on what took place and compare it with real-world developments in the UN Human Rights Council.

The project «The UN Human Rights Council—A Conference Simulation» allows students to role-play the work of the UN Human Rights Council through a conference simulation. High school students take on the roles of representatives from various countries and organizations to engage in discussions and negotiations on whether—and to what extent—the death penalty is compatible with human rights. The goal is to develop a deeper understanding of human rights issues, to understand how international organizations function, and to strengthen skills in democratic processes. This topic is also embedded in the Austrian curriculum: In upper secondary school (AHS and BHS), the curriculum for history, social studies, and political education explicitly calls for exploring fundamental and human rights, international organizations such as the United Nations, and current political and legal issues. The death penalty can be addressed as a controversial topic, for example through international comparisons or in the context of international treaties such as the European Convention on Human Rights. In lower secondary school (8th grade) as well, the topic of human rights is included in the curriculum for history and political education, with the aim of helping students learn about fundamental rights and their significance for society and daily life. This is precisely where the project comes in, by transforming the exploration of human rights issues—such as the death penalty—into an action-oriented format.

The project includes role-playing exercises, discussions, votes, and reflection periods. Materials include text documents that contain, for example, background information, details on the procedure, or draft resolutions. In addition, presentations and documents for the physical layout of the space are provided. The conference simulation spans six class periods. Since students will increasingly work in small groups, it is advisable to select an appropriate room for this activity. The simulation is conducted under the guidance of a facilitator who coordinates the proceedings. During the final evaluation, participants reflect on the results of the simulation.

Using the GECKO platform, the competency model outlines the skills that teachers can acquire as part of the project.