Ideas This Week
Ideas This Week is your hub for updates on all things Facing History—from announcements and featured press to expert interviews, impact stories, and essays on the ideas driving our work.
COP26, Environmental Justice, and Human Rights
The 26th U.N. Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) that took place in Glasgow, Scotland from October to November 2021 was, in many ways, a historic event. However, even though the COP remains a crucial space for international cooperation in the fight against climate disaster, there is notable consternation over the unique burdens that various policies may place on poorer nations and those most vulnerable to adverse climate events.
![Photo of Earth and African continent from space](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-04/photo_earth_from_space.jpeg?h=a8d93925&itok=dhi2SXIm)
6 New Books on Human Rights
Below are 6 books published in 2021 that speak to underacknowledged dimensions of human rights in history, teaching, and contemporary global society.
![The words, "human rights" are highlighted within a text.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-04/istock-178100128_human_rights_text.png?h=a6c55029&itok=rh8-tcu0)
African Americans and the History of "Human Rights"
As a United Nations panel of experts is set up to investigate systemic racism and human rights abuses against Black people around the world, we explore a series of African American leaders who have invoked the language of “human rights” to underscore the urgency of their situation here in the U.S.
![Olympians on the podium, bowing their heads and raising a fist with a black glove.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-04/Fist_raised_Olympics_1968public_domain.jpeg?h=96687ce6&itok=yaBd2oCU)
13 Teaching Ideas on Human Rights
During Universal Human Rights Month, in December, we invite you to use any of these Teaching Ideas grounded in social-emotional learning (SEL) that provide ample social and historical context while being concise and easy to integrate into your classroom conversations.
![Paper cut outs of face profiles in different skin tones.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-04/graphical_diversity_paper_faces_1894061167.jpeg?h=3a5dff94&itok=qAstbdWw)
6 Indigenous-Led COP26 Events You Can Stream
With the 26th U.N. Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) currently taking place, Facing History hand-selected a curated list of conference events that speak to the Indigenous ways of conceiving of the natural world and its relationship to humanity.
![Indigenous Justice is Climate Justice sign in crowd protesting for environmental justice.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/ijicj_large.jpeg?h=5dc822d2&itok=9Da4VNUE)
A New Type of Media Literacy
Learn about the risks new technologies pose to adults and adolescents and view resources available to help teach teenage students about media literacy, responsible use of social media, and surveillance capitalism.
![A person views a piece of news media on their phone.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-05/SocialMediaLiteracyHero.jpg?h=8e4088dc&itok=6GlBMRJf)
Remembering Little Rock
Facing History shares on efforts to desegregate Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1957 and provides resources for educators to use with their students to promote historical understanding, critical thinking, social-emotional learning, and civic agency.
![101st Airborne Division escort the Little Rock Nine students into Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-04/101st_Airborne_at_Little_Rock_Central_High_FH258604.jpg?h=e1c669e5&itok=8NEcapoX)
Remembering Rip Patton
Facing History commemorates the life of activist and Freedom Rider Ernest "Rip" Patton, Jr.
![Ernest "Rip" Patton, Jr. holding a picture of himself during a visit to the Freedom Rides Museum in Montgomery, Alabama.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-04/dr_ernest_rip_patton_freedom_rider_FH297343.jpg?h=1f0cc284&itok=ug3GbaWE)
Dr. Hasan Kwame Jeffries on Teaching Reconstruction
Facing History shares highlights from Dr. Jeffries’ remarks during his engaging presentation concerning the significance and legacy of the Reconstruction Era.
![Square headshot of Dr. Hasan Kwame Jeffries](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-05/Dr_Hasan_Kwame_Jeffries_FH2191462_squarecrop.jpg?h=569f0efd&itok=19aFckKP)
Reflections on the Teaching for Equity and Justice Summit 2021
Facing History shares core themes explored in the Teaching for Equity and Justice Summit.
![Ten diverse hands are raised with hearts in the palms.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-04/graphic_raised_hands_heart.jpeg?h=30c92080&itok=EMou1uD-)
Back to School: Co-Create Your Space to Build Community
Learn about including your students in imagining their classroom community in the first days of school.
![Diverse group of students sitting in a circle in conversation.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-04/iStock-505234307_diverse_group_students_talking.jpeg?h=140710cd&itok=Szuzt_Il)