Materials

• Computer lab with Internet access
• A copy of “World Population Forum” (Attachment C) for each student

Instructional Activities

NOTE: The following Web resources may be helpful with this session:

• The Mideast: A Century of Conflict. History of the Arab/Israeli conflict. <http://www.npr.org/news/specials/mideast/history/index.html>.
• Center for Reduction of Religious-Based Conflict. History of religious conflicts. <http://aps.naples.net/community/NFNWebpages/storyboard.cfm?StoryBoardNum=142&PageNum=1>.
• Genderside Watch. Genocides in history <http://gendercide.org>.
• Human Rights Watch. Dealing with refugees. <http://www.hrw.org/en/category/topic/refugees>.
• “Some Useful Links.” Overpopulation and its effects on the world. <http://www.mopoke.com.au/3TlinksU.htm>.

1. Ask students to brainstorm possible problems with overpopulation.
   
   
2. Explain the activity outlined below:

      World Population Forum

• Purpose
  – World Population Forum is an Internet-based group activity to examine the troubles that are created by the world’s ever increasing population.
  – The class as a whole will act as the World Population Forum, a body that makes recommendations concerning world population issues.
  – Students will work in small groups (think tanks) or as a class (depending on the size of the class) to research issues to be presented to the Forum. The small groups will research information related to the topics on Attachment C.

• Research options [NOTE: The research may be done in one of two ways (depending on the size and skill level of the class).]
  1. Create groups and assign each group to research a country of the instructor’s choosing. (This should be done by watching current events of the time to determine which areas of the world are facing troubles listed on Attachment C.)
  2. Create groups and assign each to research a topic from the list in Attachment C or a similar current topic. Students should find examples from countries to help support their research.

• Forum options [NOTE: The World Population Forum will be conducted differently, depending on the research technique used.]
  – If "1" above is used:
     a. Have a country group meet as a whole to discuss its situation.
     b. Have the group come up with possible solutions to problems.
     c. Have the group report their findings to the World Population Forum.
     d. The Forum should discuss and then recommend possible solutions.
  
  – If "2" above is used:
     a. Have students who researched similar topics come together to discuss findings. Have them prepare an outline of information to be discussed at the Forum.
     b. Each topic-focused group will report to the Forum the information identified.
     c. The Forum should discuss and then recommend possible solutions.