on this special Spring day
a bright new addition to PSHCE/RE activity
in assembly or classroom

 

as schools unite for a few minutes in a simple ceremony
to honour all those organisations and individuals
who campaign for social justice
around the world

 

 

you'll just need the words below (as the A4 page or slideshow),
a drawn or imaginary candle, moments of respect,
and quite a few rounds of applause...

 

Creator and Conductor of Just1 Hugh Gibbons says...

SCHOOLS SPRING UP ON 24 MARCH (what we might start to call Romero Day?) offers schools of all sorts an opportunity to unite in sharing respect and appreciation for the millions of people worldwide who campaign to end poverty, injustice and inequality. 

It's been created as a companion to the very popular Just1 Schools StandUp Against Poverty in mid-October.  It's a sort of nationwide mass rally in which hundreds of thousands may take part - without taking to the streets!

Spring Up has the same simple format – a few minutes’ reflection for everyone to join in, whether in assembly or classroom.  With strong PSHCE/RE associations, it's an ideal extra activity that can bring together everyone in many schools - but unites schools of all sorts in solidarity. Spring Up is also strong background to the great work of so many pupils and staff and families.   

The ceremony below is designed for teachers to use in classroom or assembly. NB Nothing is sacrosanct. If you want to change things to suit the school – perhaps in the list of campaigners acclaimed – you’re welcome to do so. 

Why 24 March?  Well, Spring Up is a contribution by schools to the memory and legacy of Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador -  a much-loved campaigner for human rights who was assassinated during Mass on this Spring day, 24 March 1980.  He is one of the 20th century martyrs depicted in statues above the Great West Door in Westminster Abbey.  So if you'd like to think of today as Romero Day, why not?

If you'd like more information, the UK has The Archbishop Romero Trust. Its purpose is to promote knowledge and awareness of the life and work of Archbishop Romero; encourage and organise prayer services and memorial liturgies annually on the anniversary of his death; and provide support to human rights and social justice initiatives in Latin America which carry forward the tradition of his work.

CAFOD have an Oscar Romero slideshow for primary schools

You may also like to see a very good article by the Curator of Stonyhurst College in Lancashire.  Jan Graffius has been involved in devising a conservation programme for the relics of Archbishop Romero and other clergy in San Salvador, and made her third visit in autumn 2009.

SPRING UP: SCHOOLS ACCLAIM CAMPAIGNERS
A short ceremony for class or assembly

On this Spring day, we are going to join hundreds of other schools to spring up and acclaim campaigners – the millions of people across the world who work for social justice and human rights, and against poverty.  

What is campaigning?  It’s when people get together to speak out – to change something for the better.  We do that because it makes their lives better – but our own lives become so too. We are better people.  By helping people worse off, we become better. 

Why do people of all ages campaign?  Because by acting together they can put pressure on others to make better decisions – governments, politicians, business leaders, and other people who have power.

How do people campaign?  Sometimes they write letters, or send e-mails, or sigh petitions.  Sometimes they go out together and rally on the streets.  Sometimes they speak out on the radio or TV.  Sometimes they campaign just by telling others – families, friends – in person or on-line.

Let’s honour first those in humanitarian aid agencies around the world

Through their local partners they provide emergency relief and long-term development.  But they also constantly create and drive campaigns against poverty, injustice and inequality.  We think, for example, of the great work of* CAFOD/SCIAF/Trocaire, Christian Aid, Oxfam, Tearfund, Action Aid, Islamic Relief, Save the Children.

So shall we too acclaim them? 

YES!

Let’s now honour the people in organisations dedicated to campaigning

In the UK, we have, for example*, the FairTrade Foundation, the Trade Justice Movement, the Jubilee Debt Campaign, the Stop Climate Change Coalition – and they have their counterparts in many countries.  And each year, tens of millions of people support the Global Call to Action Against Poverty and the United Nations Millennium Campaign. 

So shall we too acclaim them? 

YES!

Let’s now honour the people in those organisations which have a campaign wing. 

In this country, we have the example of The Co-operative Movement, the Salvation Army, and trade unions*.  And everywhere, people in churches and faith groups not only speak out but take action to make poverty history. 

Shall we too acclaim them? 

YES!

Next, let’s honour pupils and staff and staff in schools and colleges like ours.  In this country and elsewhere, most set a great example of commitment to social justice.  

Shall we too acclaim them? 

YES!

And now let’s honour everyone else who speaks out against poverty and injustice and inequality. 

Let’s think of the ordinary people who turn out for rallies, or who send letters or postcards or emails or join petitions to governments or businesses.  Or who take other action.

Shall we too acclaim them? 

YES!

Finally, shall we too promise to support - and even to be - campaigners? 

YES? 

While we’re still at school?  YES!

And when we leave?  YES! 

And throughout our lives?  YES!

Many thanks to you all.  Now let’s acclaim ourselves for joining in on this Spring day. Let’s turn to each other and give ourselves a big round of applause and say Well Done for Springing Up to Acclaim Campaigners.