7th Graders Tackle Real Life Issues in Conference

On Wednesday and Thursday, the entire 7th grade class participated in Dave Bennett’s Human Rights Conference.

Students proposed, debated, and voted on resolutions about human rights, child labor, child soldiering, and trafficking in persons.

As a capstone event for the social studies curriculum, Bennett says his hope is that the experience leads to a lifetime of activism and knowledge. “I think 7th graders are much more curious about the world than we give them credit for, and they’re much more engaged,” says Bennett. “If we encourage them to think of every person’s story having value then they could see this perhaps as a profession or interest that goes beyond themselves.”

Students have different roles in the exercise. Some represent governments, while others act as non-governmental organizations, such as relief agencies and lobbying groups. 

Bennett credits the conference success to the support he receives from Overlake. “That’s what’s wonderful about being at this place,” adds Bennett. “It goes on every year because it’s a great thing where kids learn a lot and have a great time.”

Click here for a Vidigami slideshow of this year’s conference.