### Lesson Plan: African Union - Historical Perspective
**Grade Level**: Senior Secondary 3 (SS3)
**Subject**: Government
**Lesson Duration**: 60 Minutes
**Topic**: African Union – Historical Perspective
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#### **Objective**
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
1. Understand the historical background of the African Union (AU).
2. Identify key events leading to the formation of the AU.
3. Discuss the objectives and functions of the AU.
4. Analyze the significance of the AU in African and international politics.
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#### **Materials Needed**
- Whiteboard and markers
- Projector and laptop for a PowerPoint presentation
- Handouts of key information
- Video clips (if available) on the history of the AU
- Student notebooks and pens
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#### **Lesson Structure**
1. **Introduction (10 Minutes)**
* **Warm-up Activity**:
- Begin with a discussion question: "What do you know about the African Union?" Invite students to share their initial thoughts.
- Briefly introduce the topic, explaining that the African Union (AU) is a continental body consisting of 55 member states. It was established to promote unity and development in Africa.
* **Learning Objectives Overview**:
- Present the learning objectives of the lesson.
2. **Instruction (25 Minutes)**
* **Part 1: Historical Background**
- Discuss the origin of the AU, starting with the formation of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in 1963.
- Talk about key figures in the formation of the OAU, including Kwame Nkrumah (Ghana), Haile Selassie (Ethiopia), and Gamal Abdel Nasser (Egypt).
- Explain the main reasons the OAU was formed: to promote unity and solidarity among African states, to coordinate and intensify cooperation for development, and to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of member states.
* **Part 2: Transformation from OAU to AU**
- Highlight the challenges and limitations faced by the OAU such as the influence of colonial legacies and Cold War politics.
- Introduce the Sirte Declaration of 1999, which paved the way for the transformation of the OAU into the AU.
- Draw attention to the official launch of the AU in Durban, South Africa, in July 2002.
* **Part 3: Objectives and Functions of the AU**
- Present the main objectives: to accelerate political and socio-economic integration, to promote peace and security, to strengthen ties between member states, and to enhance Africa's global standing.
- Discuss the functioning bodies of the AU: The Assembly, The Executive Council, The Pan-African Parliament, and The Peace and Security Council.
3. **Interactive Activities (15 Minutes)**
* **Group Discussion**:
- Divide the class into small groups and assign each group one of the main objectives of the AU to discuss.
- Ask each group to present their findings and thoughts on how well the AU is achieving its objectives.
* **Video Clip Viewing** (if available):
- Show a short documentary or video clip on the history and significance of the AU.
- Follow up with a quick discussion on the impressions and insights gained from the video.
4. **Conclusion (10 Minutes)**
* **Summary**:
- Recap the key points covered in the lesson.
* **Q&A Session**:
- Open the floor for any questions or contributions from the students to clarify any doubts.
* **Homework/Assignment**:
- Assign students to write a brief essay on the impact of the African Union on their country or on a selected member state. Alternatively, they could research a significant AU initiative or program and assess its effectiveness.
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#### **Assessment**
- Participation in group discussions.
- Contribution during the Q&A session.
- Evaluation of the homework/assignment for understanding and critical thinking.
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#### **Extension Activities**
- Invite a guest speaker who specializes in African politics or history.
- Organize a debate on the effectiveness of the AU in achieving its goals.
- Arrange a research project on the key differences and similarities between the OAU and the AU.
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This lesson plan aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the African Union from a historical perspective while encouraging active participation and critical thinking among students.