Be the Change!

Civic Action Locally, Nationally and Globally

NGO Research Assignment

The purpose of this research assignment and interview is to familiarize you with local,
national, and international actions that have been (or are) being supported and
undertaken directly by Non-Governmental Organizations. These groups have interests
and aims that include: the environment, food supply, water supply, economics, politics,
arts and culture, and indigenous issues.
You will choose one of the non-governmental organizations listed and analyze the
information found online. You will then work through the question worksheet to fully
understand your NGO. In a short interview you will then tell me about your chosen NGO
and answer questions about the civic significance and roles it plays. At your scheduled
interview you will submit:
1. Research Question Sheet (with 4 additional questions)
2. Bibliography in MLA format
Resources that are required for your argument for your NGO:
 Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
 United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
 United Nations Declaration of Human Rights
 Fundamental principles of democracy

Non-Governmental Organizations
 Doctors Without Borders  Transparency International
 World Vision  Greenpeace
 Orbis  Myrada
 International Committee of the  World Without War Council
Red Cross  CARE Canada
 Oxfam  CanAssist
 Save the Children  Plan International
 Amnesty International  Anti-Slavery International
 CARE  Action Against Hunger
 International Medical Corps  World Wildlife Fund
 Unicef  Habitat for Humanity
 Sick Kids Foundation  Elizabeth Fry Society
 Islamic Relief  John Howard Society
 Canadian Human Rights
Foundation
Possible Questions to Explore
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
1. How does the NGO align with the principles outlined in the United Nations
Convention on the Rights of the Child?
2. In what ways does the NGO contribute to ensuring the right to life, health, and a
decent standard of living for children, as stated in the Convention on the Rights
of the Child?
3. Can you identify specific projects or programs that the NGO undertakes to
provide clean water, nutritious food, and a clean environment for children in
need?
4. Can you provide examples of the impact the NGO has had on improving the lives
of children and families in crisis situations?
Charter of Rights and Freedoms & Principles of Democracy
1. Does the NGO work with or incorporate the principles of the Canadian Charter of
Rights and Freedoms in its initiatives? If so, how?
2. How does the NGO adhere to the fundamental principles of democracy in its
decision-making processes and interactions with the communities it serves?
UNDRIP
1. Can you discuss how the NGO recognizes and respects the rights of indigenous
peoples, as outlined in the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous
Peoples?
2. Does this support Truth and Reconciliation or Treaty Rights?
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
1. In what ways does the NGO uphold the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in
its activities and programs? Be specific.
 Be The Change: NGO Research Questions
1. What is the name
and origins of the
organization? Why
were they
created?

2. What is the
primary aims and
goals of the
specific NGO?
Why are they
important?

3. What are their

major events in its
history? What
projects have
they specifically
completed or are
completing? Were
they successful?

4. What roles are

played by
Canadians (if
any)?

5. Where does this

NGO operate or
hope to operate?

6. Do you support
the goals and
practices of your
NGO?

7. How does the

NGO address the
immediate needs
of people?
8. How transparent
is the NGO in
terms of financial
accountability and
reporting?
9. Are there any
criticisms or
controversies
surrounding the
NGO?
Rubric for NGO Research Assignment and Interview

Criteria Level 4 Level 3 Level 2 Level 1

Assess the
Assess the civic Assess the civic civic Assess the civic
contributions of contributions of contributions of contributions of
an NGO with a an NGO with an NGO with an NGO with a
Assessment of high level of some level of some level of limited level of
NGO thinking thinking thinking thinking
Demonstrates in- Conducts Conducts basic
depth research thorough research on the
and analysis of research and chosen NGO, Little to no
the chosen NGO, analysis of the but lacks depth evidence of
utilizing a variety chosen NGO, and may rely research and
Research and of reliable referencing heavily on analysis on the
Analysis sources multiple sources limited sources chosen NGO
Effectively
integrates at least
one of the
specified
resources
(Canadian
Charter, UNCRC, Integrates Attempts to
UNDRIP, resources to integrate
UNDHR, support resources, but
principles of arguments, but connections to Fails to
democracy) to may lack depth arguments may integrate any
Integration of support or clarity in be unclear or relevant
Resources arguments connections weak resources
Can discuss
with basic Can discuss
Can insightfully Can discuss with terms the civic with limited
discuss the civic appropriate issue of local, terms the civic
issue of local, terms the civic national, and/or issue of local,
national, and/or issue of local, global national, and/or
global national, and/or significance global
significance that global that the NGO is significance that
the NGO is significance that associated with the NGO is
associated with the NGO is and compare associated with
and compare the associated with the and compare
perspectives of and compare the perspectives of the perspectives
Civic different groups. perspectives of different of different
Understanding different groups. groups. groups.
Interview Sophisticated Effectively Presents Unable to
 Criteria Level 4 Level 3 Level 2 Level 1
communication of information
key information communicates during the
about the NGO, key information interview, but
addressing during the lacks depth or effectively
questions about interview, with struggles to communicate
its civic some areas that articulate information
significance and may need further certain during the
Performance roles. clarity. aspects. interview.
Presents Presents Presents
information in a information in a information in a
thorough clear considerable somewhat
Overall manner with a clear manner clear manner Information is
Presentation logical flow of with a logical flow with a logical disorganized
and Clarity ideas. of ideas. flow of ideas. and unclear.
Includes a Includes a Includes a Includes a
detailed detailed detailed detailed
bibliography in bibliography in bibliography in bibliography in
MLA format that MLA format that MLA format MLA format that
includes multiple includes some that includes a includes limited
Resource List sources. sources. few sources. sources.