FRIENDSHIP WEEK

2024
ACTIVITY PACK

JOIN TOGETHER IN SOLIDARITY THIS FRIENDSHIP WEEK!

Friendship Week is Amnesty International
Ireland’s annual celebration of human rights
and friendship. Within this activity pack,
you’ll find ways to explore these ideas with
your class, school and wider community. The
activities are easily adaptable from junior
infants to sixth class.
The aim for 2024 is to develop children’s
understanding of friendship and solidarity
around climate justice. We encourage
positive values and behaviours in
classrooms, during break time and into
our local communities and beyond.
This pack supports you and your students
to understand their rights, and to know
the power they hold within themselves
and with people, to act in solidarity with
others around the world.
It also highlights the impact of climate on
local communities and how this affects
people’s rights. Here you will find
resources and handouts that can be used
to support your students, including
suggested actions to raise awareness
and demonstrate solidarity with those
elsewhere whose homes are under threat
due to climate change.

ACTIVITIES FOR THE RIGHTS TALK SUPPORT AND ACTION

CLASSROOM & SCHOOL
CLIMATE CHANGE AND
HUMAN RIGHTS

INTRODUCTION
Human rights are rooted in globally accepted ethical values, such as
equality, dignity and justice. They are how you expect to be treated as
a person. Human rights provide a structure of agreed rules that protect
you from oppression and abuse of power. They are informed by the
moral teachings of most faiths and cultural traditions.
Climate change is affecting these human rights. As the burning of
fossil fuels continues, the places that people grew up in are changing
before their very eyes. Rising temperatures and more extreme weather
events are affecting not just our environments but also our own
wellbeing.
As events such as flooding and droughts become more common,
people will find it more difficult to find safe places to live. More extreme
weather events will create problems for people to live happy healthy
lives. The rights to life, health, housing, food and water required to live a
happy life, are all fundamental rights at risk due to climate change.
Climate change is and will continue harming all of us unless the world
takes action. However, its effects are likely to be much more pronounced
for certain communities and groups. This includes, but is not limited
to, people in developing nations, especially coastal countries and small
island nations. Not only are smaller island nations in the southern
hemisphere more likely to suffer extreme weather events due to their size
and where they are located, they are also likely to have less resources to
fight the effects of climate change.
Not only that, but these nations are much less likely to be the ones
causing climate change. Pakistan, for example, has accounted for 0.4
per cent of historic greenhouse gas emissions since 1959, but is one of
the most climate vulnerable places in the world. This is unfair, and larger
countries need to do more to help those who need it most. The world
needs to come together to support each other, just like you and your
friends in school.
The story of Uncle Pabai and Uncle Paul in this year’s Friendship
Week pack shows the danger for communities living in small island Discuss these words with your class:
ETHICAL MORAL
nations. In this pack you will learn all about their fight to protect their
DIGNITY SOLIDARITY
home from climate change and how you and your class can help. JUSTICE TOLERANCE
FRIENDSHIP EQUALITY

2 AMNESTY IRELAND FRIENDSHIP WEEK ACTIVITY PACK

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES

FOR A SINGLE CLASS

CREATE AN ACROSTIC POEM BASED ON FRIENDSHIP OR FRIENDSHIP HANDS

SOLIDARITY Ask each pupil to draw the outline of their
Model how an acrostic poem works. Brainstorm words own hand, cut it out and write their name on
associated with friendship/solidarity. Model writing an acrostic it. Pass the hands around the class and ask
poem for the whole class. Allow children to write their own pupils to write on each hand something that
and redraw it onto an A4 sheet for a class literacy display. person has done to be a good friend. This
activity could be extended to include friends
outside the class – make a hand for them and
present it to them.
CREATE A PAPER CHAIN OF SOLIDARITY
Give each child a strip of colour sugar paper. Ask them to
think of a way to show solidarity with people facing difficulties
and write it on their strip. Together the class must work to
attach the strips to create a class chain of solidarity. They must
pay particular attention to the order of the colours and ensure
that the resulting progression works well together. Discuss
how the chain symbolises the cooperation between all people
in the world to solve our problems. This activity can easily be
expanded to an inter class or whole school chain.

FRIENDSHIP HEROES
Heroes are people who help others. They stand up for what is
right and help those who don’t have a voice. Have a discussion
with your class about the heroes in our everyday lives. What
are the character traits that make someone a hero? Each child
can then work to create their own superhero. Collaborate with
others to write stories or picture books about friendship heroes
to share with other classes.

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CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
CIRCLE TIME
In Circle Time, pose the question, ‘what makes people
popular?’ Write out the qualities people list on the board or
on a flipchart. During your next Circle Time session, ask
the question, ‘what makes a good friend?’ Someone in the
class should take responsibility for taking notes for the two
discussions and the class should compare them as a group.
Exploration: What is the same and what is different? Is it
interesting that what makes someone popular might not
make them a good friend?
THE RIVER BOAT
In this game, children must rely on each other and work
together to achieve their ultimate goal. The class is divided
into two teams. Each team must work together to transport
two gym mats and themselves, while standing on them,
to the other side of the hall. The task will highlight the
importance of friendship in working together!
Questions:
What were the challenges involved in working together?
What strategies worked well for your team?
4 AMNESTY IRELAND FRIENDSHIP WEEK ACTIVITY PACK
PAY IT FORWARD
Discuss how doing something nice for
someone can make you feel good as well
as benefitting another person. Choose
a symbol of friendship – e.g. a badge,
a toy, a piece of coloured card. Explain
that whoever is in possession of the
symbol must do a good deed for another
member of the class. Make a list of all
the children’s names and track the good
deeds completed by whom and for whom,
making sure everyone gets a chance to
both complete and receive a good deed, so
that the symbol is passed around the whole
class.
“I AM…” USING MY VOICE
We develop courage to speak up for
ourselves and others by using our voices
in fun and safe situations.
In this circle game, children build
confidence by taking turns to say positive
“I am…” statements.
For example, “I am smart/kind/strong/
brave/friendly.” If other children think ‘me
too’ they can do a ‘jazz hands’ gesture.
Collect all the positive character traits about
your class and display them under “We
are….”
CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
FOR THE WHOLE SCHOOL
OUR SCHOOL SPEAKS
Take a survey to find out how many
different languages the children in your
school can speak. See if they can translate
phrases like ‘Hello, Welcome to our school’
and ‘I want to be your friend’ into many
of the languages. Make a massive display
showing all the different phrases in the school
hallways.
FRIENDSHIP STORIES FROM THE
COMMUNITY
Invite the children to ask someone from the
wider community to tell them a story about
friendship from their life. This person could
be a parent, a grandparent, a sibling, a
neighbour, a family friend – everyone has a
story to tell! Maybe this person could share an
example of when someone was a good friend
to them, or tell them about a funny incident
with a friend. Children can then share these
stories with the class, or invite the person to
visit the class and tell the story themselves.
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SOLIDARITY FOR THE WHOLE SCHOOL COMMUNITY
Create a quilt to represent every community of the
school – the quilt can be made of paper. Ask the parents,
guardian, staff and friends of the school to make a square
each to represent their family. Assemble the squares
together to create a patchwork quilt that shows the diversity
of people within the school community – tape together
if made of paper. Discuss with the pupils the diversity of
the different squares and the beauty when they all come
together.
PEN-PALS
Set each class in the school up with a buddy class. Every
child receives the name of someone in another class and can
send them a letter of friendship in English or as Gaeilge. The
children can introduce themselves, tell some jokes, draw a
picture or cartoon and write some positive messages or
quotes. Post-boxes can be made to place outside each
classroom and children can have jobs to deliver and collect
the post – who doesn’t love post? Why not connect to another
class or school somewhere else in the world?
RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS
Introduce the concept of Random Acts of Kindness in your
school and encourage each class to come up with some
ideas. Give out free hugs, have a dance party with another
class, buddy with another class to teach them something
new or read them a story. There is no limit to spreading
kindness – be as creative as you can!
WHOLE SCHOOL & THE YARD
ACTIVITIES

FOR THE YARD NEW FRIENDS CAFÉ

Invite children from different classes to
come together during the school day for
snacks and games in a designated area
called ‘New Friends Café’. This will provide
YARD HEROES
them with a chance to make new friends
Explain to your students that yard time is a great
in the school. Organise a rota so that
opportunity to display acts of friendship. Set them a
every child gets a chance to participate at
challenge to become yard heroes. They can watch out
some stage during the week. Alternatively,
for people who need someone to play with and remind
arrange for pupils to sit beside someone
people to play games where risks of getting hurt are low.
new in their own class at lunchtime. You
You could even challenge them to get a group of children
could also involve the wider community by
together to play a fun yard game like ‘Duck, duck, goose’,
inviting them to take part. Consider inviting
‘What time is it Mr Wolf?’ or ‘Flush the toilet’. Buddy
parents, guardians, grandparents or other
stops and conversation starters could be created and
family members, to come into the school
displayed around the yard to encourage more friendships
for a coffee morning in New Friends Café.
to blossom.

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QUESTIONS TO EXPLORE

FOCLÓIR AGUS FRÁSAÍ

USE SOME OF THE QUESTIONS BELOW
TO BEGIN A DISCUSSION IN YOUR CLASS. Climate Change Athrú Aeráide
Moral Morálta
MY RIGHTS
„ What do you need to live a happy Dignity Dínit
and healthy life? Solidarity Dlúthpháirtíocht
„ What do you most love to do?
Justice Ceartas
„ Can you name some of your human rights?
„ Do you think rights are important? Why?
Tolerance Caoinfhulaingt
MY WORLD
Home Abhaile
„ What do you think of when you think of home?
„ How do you think your home might be affected Equality Comhionannas
by climate change in the future?
„ What activities could you take to protect your Australia Astráil
home from climate change?
„ Who needs the most help when it comes to Friend Cara
adapting to climate change? What could you do
to help? Friends Cairdeas/ muintearas

MY ACTIONS To become friends with Éirí cairdiúil le duine / muintearas a

„ Do you think you and other children have power someone dhéanamh le duine
to change things?
„ What can you do if you know the rights of you or
others aren’t being respected?
„ What does it feel like to stand up for yourself or
others?
„ What can you do by yourself and what can you
do with others?

7 AMNESTY IRELAND FRIENDSHIP WEEK ACTIVITY PACK

TALK AND DISCUSSION
USE A VARIETY OF METHODOLOGIES TO ENCOURAGE YOUR
CLASS TO DISCUSS THE QUESTIONS

DRAWING MY COMMUNITY PLEASE SEND US PHOTOS OF YOUR

Invite children to close their eyes and picture their homes,
communities and the beauty in the natural environments that
surround them. Prompt them to think about how these places
might transform because of climate change and how they
might contribute positively to protect and sustain them.
Supply participants with paper and coloured pencils. Ask
them to express their homes or communities through their
drawings. Encourage them to add elements that showcase
the potential challenges of climate change (for example
changing weather patterns, altered landscapes), but place a
stronger emphasis on incorporating symbols of resilience,
adaptation and positive transformation.
CIRCLE TIME
Circle time gives every child the opportunity to speak
and be heard. Get up off your chairs and have a Walking
Debate. This allows the children to take the time to think
about their own opinions and to listen to other people’s
points of view. Remember we are free to change our
opinions whenever we like. Buddy Interviews are a great
way for children to ask questions and listen to answers. You
could sit in two circles facing each other and move after a
set time so as to interview lots of different people.
WRITE IT OUT
Allow children to write their thoughts and feelings about
the questions asked in English or as Gaeilge. Children can
be given a number of questions and then asked to reflect on
and write a response to them. They can do this as a journal
entry, or they could write a creative piece – a short story or
poem that illustrates their thoughts on the question. Writing
and creating a comic strip or cartoon is another great way to
share stories of friendship.
STUDENTS’ ARTWORK AND WE’LL PUT THEM
INTO NEXT YEAR’S ACTIVITY PACK
MAKE A SPLASH
Respond through visual art, painting,
drawing, building and doodling. Give the
children time to explore their own feelings
through art. Or work together to make a
collaborative piece. Create posters that raise
awareness of issues that the children feel
passionate about. Or make a large display.
Use one of the following topics as a stimulus.
• Friendship makes me feel...
• Being a good friend is important because…
• In a world where you can be anything –
be kind
CONVERSATION ROTATION
Children are encouraged to discuss the
question and write responses onto the
page. After an allotted number of minutes,
children move to another table. Allow the
children to move wherever they like, but
to go to each table at least once. Having
a specific number of chairs per table will
ease the flow. Ask for volunteers to be
table hosts – they can feed back at the end
about what was discussed at their table.
TIP!
There might be children in your class who could be affected
by the issues included in this pack. Sensitive issues
often arise when discussing human rights, friendship and
community. Make a list of questions you might get from
learners and consider how to answer these.

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TAKE ACTION

ACT FOR RIGHTS:

JOIN UNCLE PABAI AND UNCLE PAUL FIGHTING TO SAVE THEIR ANCESTRAL
LANDS FROM CLIMATE CHANGE

© Talei Elu

These are Uncle Pabai and Uncle Paul, Indigenous leaders of the Guda
Maluyligal Nation of the Torres Strait in the northernmost part of Australia.
Their ancestors have lived on the islands for thousands of years.
Because of climate change, their way of life, culture and spiritual
connections, that have been passed down from generation to generation,
may be destroyed.
Rising sea levels are causing more destruction every year by eroding
beaches, destroying sacred cultural sites, wrecking the land where they
grow their food, and threatening the islands’ buildings and roads.
Unless urgent action is taken, many people will be forced to leave their
homes as large areas become uninhabitable. This would be devastating
for their communities after living on these islands for thousands of years.
Uncle Pabai and Uncle Paul are taking the Australian government
to court to protect their homeland, their culture and their community
from climate change, arguing that the Australian government is taking
insufficient action to prevent damage from climate change, resulting in the
destruction of their lands and culture.

9 AMNESTY IRELAND FRIENDSHIP WEEK ACTIVITY PACK

TAKE ACTION

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?

1. WRITE TO THE AUSTRALIAN PRIME
MINISTER.
„ Create your own postcards or letters, asking the
people in power in Australia to demand that the rights
of First Nations communities in the Torres Strait are
protected, by rapidly reducing carbon emissions.
„ Post these messages to Siobhán in Amnesty, along
with any petitions. We will send your messages to the
Australian authorities.
„ Demand that the rights of First Nations communities
in the Torres Strait are protected, by rapidly reducing
carbon emissions in line with the world commitment
of limiting global warming to 1.5ºC in line with the best
available scientific research (suggested text below).
Anthony Albanese
„ Sign the petition:
https://www.amnesty.ie/wfr-uncle-pabai-uncle-paul/
Write this URL on the board so that students can take the petition
home to their families and friends
„ Download and print the petition {back of the booklet)
Talk to your school community and your families about what is happening,
asking them to sign. Post the petitions to Siobhán Murphy, Amnesty
International Ireland, Seán MacBride House, 48 Fleet Street, Dublin 2.
2. ACT ON SOCIAL MEDIA
„ Let the Prime Minister know that you support Uncle Pabai and
Uncle Paul. Ask your school to post on the school social media.
Tag @AmnestyIreland and we will re-share. Include photos of your artwork
or messages.
Suggested post text:
We call on you @AlboMP to take real action in line with a 1.5˚C

R
Prime Minister of Australia degree rise, and the best scientific research available, and Australia’s
PO Box 6022

TTE responsibility and capacity, to protect the Torres Strait Islands

E
House of Representatives and the human rights of First Nations Peoples #PabaiVCmth @
Parliament House

E L AmnestyIreland

L
Canberra,
Australia

MP We unite with Uncle Pabai and Uncle Paul in their legal battle

A
to protect their island homes in the Torres Strait. @AlboMP will you

S
Dear Prime Minister,
To protect the Torres Strait Islands and the human rights
of First Nations Peoples, I call on your government to
take climate action by rapidly reducing carbon emissions
in line with the world commitment of limiting global
warming to 1.5ºC and in line with the best available
scientific research.
Your government currently states that by 2030 it
will reduce emissions by 43% below 2005 levels. This
is not enough to save the Torres Strait Islands. Leading
climate scientists on the Climate Targets Panel calculate
Australia’s greenhouse emissions need to be reduced by
74% by 2030.
Yours sincerely,
take climate action in line with 1.5 degrees? #PabaiVCmth
@AmnestyIreland
3. WRITE A LETTER TO UNCLE PABAI AND UNCLE PAUL AND
LET THEM KNOW YOU SUPPORT THEM.
„ Say a little about who you are, where you are from, why you care and
what climate impacts you worry about.
„ Images of crocodiles, dogs and yam leaves are important for Uncle
Pabai and Uncle Paul, so maybe you could include some drawings of these.
„ Post your message to: Siobhán Murphy, Amnesty International Ireland,
Seán MacBride House, 48 Fleet Street, Dublin 2. Siobhán will send them on
to the uncles.

10 AMNESTY IRELAND FRIENDSHIP WEEK ACTIVITY PACK

MORE RESOURCES &
DEFINITIONS
HUMAN RIGHTS GLOSSARY
HUMAN RIGHTS: Human rights are what every human being needs
to live a dignified and fulfilled life and to participate fully in
society. They are entitlements – you have them just because
you are human.
Human rights are underpinned by a set of common values
that have been prevalent in societies, civilisations and religions
throughout history. These values include fairness, respect,
equality, and dignity. It is important to recognise that women,
men, children and specific groups of people can experience
different human rights abuses and are affected by them in
different ways.
A HUMAN RIGHTS CONVENTION: The United Nations has
conventions, which declare the existence of rights (e.g. the
Convention on the Rights of the Child). Some conventions focus
on the prevention of specific abuses (e.g. torture). While others
seek to protect those in especially vulnerable situations (e.g.
refugees, racial minorities, children, migrant workers, people
with disabilities).
A HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST: Activists campaign to protect human
rights around the world. Activists are educated about human
rights issues and use their skills, knowledge and creativity to
work together for human rights change.
A RIGHTS-HOLDER: The people most directly affected by the
human rights issue. For example, a person who is forced to
seek refuge in another country.
MORE RESOURCES
We have sent you an email with a link to further primary school resources online. If
you’d like us to send it again, drop us a line friendshipweek@amnesty.ie
FRIENDSHIP WEEK BRACELETS
Thank you so much for fundraising for our work. We recommend that you ask for €2
per friendship bracelet. Any bracelets you don’t sell you can send back to us free of
charge. Please see the next page for how to donate the funds you’ve raised.
WHAT ARE HUMAN RIGHTS?
All humans have rights simply because they are human.
Everyone needs rights to lead a safe, peaceful and healthy
life.
Human rights belong to everyone no matter who you are,
where you live, what colour your skin is, what your beliefs
are, whatever your gender, or whoever you love.
We all have contact with human rights issues on a daily
basis. We all have the right to a name, a nation, an
education, a home, healthy food and clean water to name
just a few. Human rights matter because they make sure
that everybody is treated fairly, with dignity and respect.
WHAT IS AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL?
Amnesty International is a movement of 10 million people
which mobilises the humanity in everyone and campaigns
for change so we can all enjoy our human rights.
Our vision is of a world where those in power keep their
promises, respect international law and are held to
account.
We are independent of any government, political ideology,
economic interest or religion. We are funded by our
members and supporters.
We believe that acting in solidarity and compassion with
people everywhere can change our societies for the better.
Amnesty International was founded in 1961 by British
lawyer Peter Benenson. Benenson was outraged at the idea
that people could be imprisoned for their political or other
beliefs. He wrote a rallying call in a national newspaper,
calling for people everywhere to come together and demand
that governments respect and protect human rights.
The movement he began is now global, with 10 million
supporters coming together under his belief that only when
the “Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a reality for
the world’s people will our work be done”.
AMNESTY IRELAND FRIENDSHIP WEEK ACTIVITY PACK
SUPPORT AMNESTY

We are so grateful to you, your

school and your students for the
effort you are putting in to make
Friendship Week a success.
HOW TO DONATE THE MONEY YOU’VE RAISED
FROM BRACELETS
„ Donate online here
„ Or scan the QR code
„ Bank transfer:
Amnesty International Ireland To become a human rights champion outside of
IBAN: IE31 BOFI 9000 1781 8540 58
BIC: BOFIIE2D
school, why not set yourself a challenge a do a
personal fundraiser?
„ Send a postal order or cheque to:
Amnesty International Ireland, FREEPOST There are so many ways you can fundraise, here are some ideas:
Sean MacBride House, 48 Fleet Street, Dublin D02T883 „ Bake sale, who doesn’t
Please be sure to add your Roll Number love cake!
so that we can identify your school. „ Pub or office quiz
„ Online birthday fundraiser
JOIN AMNESTY
„ 10k run or farther if you’re
Our members make change possible. They’re the people we call
up for it!
on whenever and wherever human rights are under attack.
„ 100 squats a day
Their actions, big and small, put pressure on governments,
„ Cold water swims
institutions and decision-makers to do the right thing. Join now
„ Run the Women’s Mini
Marathon
„ Coffee/Tea morning
Marian Keyes hosting a tea and cakes
„ Social media fundraiser event for Amnesty

It’s super easy to start fundraising and you can set up your
fundraising page straight away here.
Or to talk to us about your event, simply fill in the form here
and we’ll give you a call. Our team will be there to support you
all the way.

We are a movement of Email: friendshipweek@amnesty.ie

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL IRELAND
www.amnesty.ie/friendship-week
people. We are at our most Séan MacBride House
Friendship Week Activity Pack 2024
powerful when we stand produced by 48 Fleet Street, Dublin D02 T883
together
12
for human rights Amnesty International Ireland Tel: 01 8638300
AMNESTY IRELAND FRIENDSHIP WEEK ACTIVITY PACK
TAKE ACTION FOR UNCLE PABAI
AND UNCLE PAUL PETITION
Demand the rights of First
Nations communities in the
Torres Strait are protected,
by rapidly reducing carbon
emissions in line with the world
commitment of limiting global
warming to 1.5ºC in line with
the best available scientific
research.
NAME
Dear Prime Minister,
To protect the Torres Strait Islands and the human rights of First Nations Peoples, I call on your
government to take adequate and human rights-consistent climate action by rapidly reducing carbon
emissions in line with the world commitment of limiting global warming to 1.5ºC and in line with the
best available scientific research.
Your government currently states that by 2030 it will reduce emissions 43% below 2005 levels. This is
not enough to save the Torres Strait Islands. Leading climate scientists on the Climate Targets Panel
calculate Australia’s greenhouse emissions need to be reduced by 74% by 2030.
Yours sincerely,
SIGNATURE