Core 1.3 Challenges and Opportunities
-Global and regional/continental trends in family size, sex ratios, and ageing/greying
-Policies associated with managing population change, focusing on:
- policies related to ageing societies
- pro-natalist or anti-natalist policies
- gender equality policies and anti-trafficking policies
-The demographic dividend and the ways in which population could be considered a resource when contemplating possible futures
- One case study of a country benefiting from a demographic dividend
Synthesis, evaluation and skills opportunities
-How population change may affect the power balance between groups of people at local, national and international scales
Discussion:
- How can a minimum age of marriage affect population growth?
- What will be the consequences of Japan’s ageing population?
- Can men and women truly be equal?
- What are the causes of gender inequality?
- Which type of country is more effective in achieving gender equality?
Exercise: Each table will give a detailed explanation of the Global and regional/continental trends in:
- family size
- sex ratios
- ageing/greying
- doctors per citizen
Is there a relationship or a pattern between these statistics?
Population possibilities and power over the decision-making process
For the next 4 CS, you need to be familiar with the policies, the power balance these involve (people, government, women, children, migrants etc) and the possibilities they entail for the country and its people.
If you want, use the 2nd half of the 4P template
Case study 1: Japan's policies regarding it's ageing society
For further research: 25 minute video on Japan's ageing problem
Case study 2: China's One Child Policy
Individually or in groups:
As you read and watch the videos below, complete your 4P study notes, with a special focus on the policies, the power balance these involve (people, government, women, children, migrants etc) and the possibilities they entail for China and it's people.
Case Study 3: Pro Natalist Policy - Japan
Individually or in groups research the initiatives undertaken by the Japanese government to increase fertility
- Make sure to have specific initiatives taken by the Japanese government to increase fertility
- Evaluate the success of each initiative
- Describe the consequences (real and implied) of each policy on Japan and its people
- As always, complete your 4P study notes, with a special focus on the policies, the power balance these involve (people, government, women, children, etc) and the possibilities they entail for Japan and it's people.
- My Diigo library will have a number of useful links
Case Study 4: Gender Equality Policy: Rwanda
Part 1:
- Find a map placing Rwanda in Africa. Describe it's site and situation.
- In a paragraph, write a brief history of the 1994 Rwandan genocide
- Describe the current economic situation of Rwanda
- Describe Goal 5 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Describe the Gender Gap Index. Describe its variables and evaluate its effectiveness in comparig countries gender disparity.
- Explain Rwanda's position in the Gender Gap Index World ranking
Part 2 Readings and videos:
- Reading 1: UN Case Study – Delivering as One on Gender in Rwanda
- Reading 2: Rwanda's march towards gender parity by 2030 (possibilities)
- Make sure to have specific initiatives taken by Rwanda's government to increase gender equality
- Evaluate the success of each initiative
- Describe the consequences (real and implied) of each policy on Rwanda and its people
- As always, complete your 4P study notes, with a special focus on the policies, the power balance these involve (people, government, women, children, etc) and the possibilities they entail for Rwanda and it's people.
Case Study 5: Anti-Trafficking Policy
Discussion:
- Any members of the human trafficking service group? Please discuss the issues you address.
- What is slavery?
- What kind of slavery exists today?
- What items do you own that may have come from slave labor?
- Where do you think slavery is most rampant? Link Tier ranking system
- Find the UNESCO definition of slavery
- How does it differ from the more traditional definition?
- What are methods to limit human trafficking?
- What are the difficulties of controlling human trafficking?
Each group will read one of these articles and discuss it to gain a deep understanding.
- Modern Slavery, an Explainer, Kelly A, The Guardian
- 'Path to illegal behaviour': UK accused of failing to press home anti-slavery law, Kelly A, Whitehead F, The Guardian
- 'He'd only calm down if he killed one of us': victims of slavery on farms in Brazil, Maisonnave F, and Gross A.S., The Guardian
- Latest figures reveal more than 40 million people are living in slavery, Kelly A, The Guardian
You will then be regrouped, one per reading and will write a paragraph for each of the following question on the whiteboard.
- Using this Link, describe the distribution of slavery across the world today. (4 points)
- Using named examples, describe the different type of slavery across the world today. (5 points)
Human Trafficking infographics
Each group will be assigned one infographic ( 1 2 3 4 ) and answer the following questions:
- Describe the main message of your infographic
- Describe a strength of your infographic in visually transmitting its message
- Describe a weakness of your infographic in transmitting its message
- Is there a bias in the infographic. If so, explain.
Japan's policies (homework for Thursday)
- Read the US Department of State's report on human trafficking in Japan
- Take notes on the main origin and cause of human trafficking in Japan
- Take notes on prosecution, protection and prevention strategies in Japan.
- Research the TITP and how it is a way for traffickers to bring slaves into Japan
- Research what the Diet (国会 Kokkai) is doing to remedy the situation
- Homework:
- Suggested reading: J. Weisberg's The Boy without a country
- Watch one or more of these videos:
- Watch parts 1 to 3 (approx. 20 mins)
Demographic dividend:
IB outcomes:
- The demographic dividend and the ways in which population could be considered a resource when contemplating possible futures
- One case study of a country benefiting from a demographic dividend
- Definition: The demographic dividend is the accelerated economic growth that may result from a decline in a country's birth and death rates and the subsequent change in the age structure of the population (PBR)
- IB definition: As defined by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) demographic dividend means the economic growth potential that can result from shifts in a population's age structure, mainly when the share of the working-age population (15 to 64) is larger than the non-working-age share of the population (14 and younger, and 65 and older)
- "While family planning is necessary for establishing the conditions for a demographic dividend, investments in child health, education, and gender equality are critical additional steps that contribute to family planning use and economic growth." (PBR)
Case study: Rwanda's Demographic Dividend (DD)
Readings:
- Why is Africa seeing potential in its Demographic Dividend
- Is Rwanda Set to Reap the Demographic Dividend?
- WEF Case Study on Rwanda's Demographic dividend potential
Take detailed notes of the factors that are making Rwanda optimistic about its DD
- What government initiatives are taking place to ensure Rwanda's DD occurs?
- What civil society initiatives are taking place to ensure Rwands's DD occurs?
- What possible obstacles might happen to hinder Rwanda's DD?
Get ready for your first Unit test
- You need to review the entire unit. Anything on the syllabus can be included in the exam
- You will have a set of mandatory short answer questions, and a choice of 2 essays.
- Make sure you have read all of Nagle and Cooke. p. 387-424
- Review Questions in Nagle and Cooke:
- 1.1: p. 395
- 1.2 p. 408
- 1.3 p. 423
Practice exam. This will be the format of your unit test.
- p. 424