The Commonwealth

3. Defending a common purpose

Required Resources

• Video: Royal Navy drugs bust
• Student Worksheets 1-4
• Slide 19

Delivery

• Introduce the topic of 'Defending a common purpose' by stating that the MOD supports the Commonwealth and the wider world through a commitment to world peace and security, for example through Defence Diplomacy work. Ask students what they think Defence Diplomacy is, and write their thoughts on the board. Then project Slide 19-20
• Distribute Student Worksheet 1 and get students to read the sections on Defence Diplomacy, Disaster Relief and Disaster Relief in action. Stream a video via the MOD website which provides insight to this work: http://www.defencevideo.mod.uk/vid2/wmv/module3.htm
• Split the class into three mixed ability groups and give each group copies of either Student Worksheet 2, 3 or 4 to read. These worksheets show three different ways in which the MOD works to support Commonwealth countries. Each case study has a related video which demonstrates the particular MOD work in action and/or its effects. The Sierra Leone videos are BBC News footage and are available online. The first link shows a child soldier talking about his experiences and the second shows the conditions in which child soldiers had to survive: http://tinyurl.com/6838uv (copy and paste url). http://tinyurl.com/5fxgwz (copy and paste url)
• The Royal Navy drug bust in the Caribbean can be viewed on the MOD website: http://tinyurl.com/58yoa6 (copy and paste url). Video: Royal Navy drugs bust, can also be downloaded and shows the seized drugs being unloaded onto HMS Ocean.
• The Belize footage can be viewed on the MOD website: http://tinyurl.com/58yoa6 (copy and paste url)
• Using Student Worksheet 1a-b which presents basic facts and figures on the MOD, and the case studies (Student Worksheets 2, 3, or 4), get each group to discuss their case study and start thinking about the following questions (Slide 19):
• - Should the MOD be investing resources into these countries?
• - What are the benefits of Defence Diplomacy and Disaster Relief work?
• - What are the benefits to the UK and the wider world of such work?
• - What are the drawbacks of such work to the MOD, the UK, and these other countries?
• It is likely that some students strongly support the MOD helping other countries, whilst others are against it. Try and take note of their respective stances for the following Episode.
• It is suggested that each group writes down a few points and arguments against each of these questions.

Differentiation

Lower Ability:

If students are not comfortable with discussion in small groups, each group could alternatively be tasked with compiling a five minute mini lesson on their case study using PowerPoint. Slide 21 may help students structure their presentation.