This FAQ page answers the most frequently asked questions about the planning, implementation and impact of the teaching aid. It is aimed specifically at teachers who want to use Project Humanity in the classroom - whether in ethics lessons, history, geography, German, interdisciplinary project lessons or as part of a values education project week.
Find out how you can use Project Humanity:
- promote education for sustainable development (ESD),
- prepare global topics in an age-appropriate way,
- and inspire your pupils for humanity and social commitment.
Project Humanity is a humanitarian and values education toolkit which combines modular hybrid-learning and project-based work. It is geared towards 13- to 18-year-olds (i.e. lower- and upper-secondary school pupils) and uses interactive activities to familiarise them with the four humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence.
It aims to provide young people with a deeper understanding of the relevance and meaning of humanity and humanitarian aid. It also empowers them to develop and defend their own opinions, and fosters their sense of agency. Project Humanity equips young people to engage with current crises in an informed manner, understand global interdependencies and stand up for others.
The name refers to the four humanitarian principles that underpin all forms of international aid. The project also shows how these principles are relevant to the young people’s everyday lives and creates spaces for learning, reflection, dialogue and participation.
The course material is designed specifically with lower- and upper-secondary students in mind, i.e. pupils aged 13–18. It is suitable for use in secondary schools, baccalaureate schools, upper-secondary specialised schools and upper-secondary vocational schools, both in Switzerland and abroad.
The course material is compatible with interdisciplinary learning and teaching. It fits particularly well with the following subjects:
- ethics/religion/philosophy
- history/political education
- geography/economics
- German/English/other language classes
- project-based learning/interdisciplinary modules
- visual arts/media literacy
The Project Humanity toolkit comprises a preparatory dossier and the following five modules:
- Introduction to humanitarian contexts
- Exploration of personal values
- Engagement with current global affairs
- Student-led project idea development
- Completion and presentation of student inputs, including final thoughts
You can pick and choose the modules as you see fit. Alternatively, the entire programme can be completed over consecutive days, e.g. as part of a 'project week'.
We recommend:
- two half-days for Modules 1 and 5
- three full school days for Modules 2, 3 and 4
You can also integrate individual modules in subject-specific lessons.
Yes. In addition to conventional teaching resources, Project Humanity has a digital learning platform offering interactive exercises, videos, a digital journal for participants, and creative project tools.
Yes. The materials are provided in editable formats (PowerPoint, Word) and can be adapted to the language proficiency level and learning abilities of your pupils, as well as to the given teaching context.
It enhances the following future core skills:
- values-based practice & ethical judgement
- empathy & perspective-taking
- critical thinking & media literacy
- self-efficacy & social engagement
- ability to work in a team & engage in dialogue
Students play an active role in shaping the programme through research, reflection, discussion, and the documentation and presentation of their work. Individual and team accountability is also an integral part of their learning process.
They learn:
- how humanitarian aid works;
- what humanity means in practice;
- to reflect on and defend their personal values; and
- to share what they have learnt in the form of creative projects (e.g. presentations, exhibitions, podcasts etc.).
Yes. Project Humanity explicitly supports the implementation of SDG 4.7 of the 2030 Global Education Agenda, i.e. education for sustainable development, global citizenship education and cultural diversity appreciation.
A preparatory dossier provides a structured breakdown of the course content, teaching/learning methods and resources. We recommend you spend 2–3 hours familiarising yourself with the content and planning your lessons. You will find additional resources, including explanatory videos, downloads and practical examples on the Project Humanity digital platform.
The preparatory dossier has been designed to double up as the introductory module.
You do not have to follow the entire programme. Each module (Introductory Module on visual literacy and fact-checking; Module 2 on values education; Module 3 on engaging with current affairs; or Modules 4 and 5 on project development) can be studied on a stand-alone basis. Ideal for double classes, theme days and workshops.
Yes. Project Humanity was explicitly designed for use in hybrid learning settings. The digital learning platform, which includes an online journalling tool, videos and interactive exercises, makes it easy to integrate the course in distance/hybrid learning settings. Teachers can assign certain tasks as homework or as online group work.
The students can document their project work as an online journal, or in the form of photos, video clips, exhibitions, or podcasts. Many schools use project outputs for internal presentations, parents' evenings and to advance their ESD (education for sustainable development) efforts.
The course material has also been designed for use by teachers who are not subject-matter experts. Resources like background documents, teaching ideas and tips, as well as structured instructional guides for each module help you deliver the Project Humanity lessons with confidence.
