Lesson J - All About: Rights, Obligations & Benefits

In Lesson J - All About: Rights, Obligations & Benefits, students participated in a dynamic workshop centred around the true meaning of citizenship and community. The session kicked off with an interactive exercise where students physically mapped out different social and cultural "communities" using masking tape, actively discussing the unique rights individuals hold within these groups. The energy then shifted to a highly engaging "Guess Where?" challenge. Working with custom Citizenship Cards, students had to analyze specific sets of rights—such as protection from discrimination, varying voting ages, or the freedom to travel, study, and work in 27 countries—to determine if it was a Greek/EU citizen or not.

The second part of the lesson transitioned to a reflective plenary session where students showcased their findings and debated the crucial balance between civic rights and societal obligations. Through an open discussion, the class evaluated how they felt about their own specific rights, how these differ depending on their location or nationality, and what individuals must or might give back in exchange for those freedoms. The primary outcome of this lesson was a concrete understanding of the EU's founding values and the profound impact that citizenship has on personal and social identity. Students walked away with a deeper appreciation for the diverse rights they hold and a stronger sense of connection to the wider European community.

Download Lesson Ressources

PDF: Learning Guidelines

Website: rights of eu citizens

Website: european court of human rights

Credits

The content used in this lesson was taken from various platforms listed below. This content is used for educational purposes and has been edited according to the needs of the Young European Diplomats Programme.