Developing a research topic can prove quite daunting to a young adult. Once a student is able to narrow down at least a general topic, however, the options become both focused and limitless. School reports do not have to feel like a burden, and instead should be thought of as an opportunity to go beyond the surface and dig deeper into a topic of interest to learn more about its nuances and shades of grey.
Research Ideas for the Humanitarian Student Developing a research topic can prove quite daunting to a young adult. Once a student is able to narrow down at least a general topic, however, the options become both focused and limitless. Engineers Without Borders: EWB is a network of students, educators, and professionals committed to bringing sustainable projects to the developing world. Projects involve the design and construction of water, waste-water, sanitation, energy, and shelter systems. EWB was founded at CU Boulder and has spread to almost 100 universities nationwide. Think about four friends, all students in nursing at the Saint Joseph St Luc IFSI in Lyon who decide to turn their 5-week internship from February to March 2017 into a true humanitarian project on the other side of the world. Students in the Geography 101 course at Black Hills State University recently completed a digital mapping project to assist humanitarian efforts stemming from the Ebola outbreak in the Congo and the rainy season in Zambia, Africa. Carrie Gray-Wood, instructor of geography at BHSU, said the students used software developed by the Humanitarian Open Street Map Team at www.hotosm.org to digitally.
Canadian & Global Humanitarian Projects: This link will share all Canadian and Global Projects to get involved with. These projects are connected with Global Humanitarian Bank based in Canada. You can also share your projects to network support in your local communities. We will post local federal and global project initiatives!
Student Resourcesmac Humanitarian Project Ideas
The world we live in is rife with a plethora of issues that would make an interesting and thoughtful read. Below is a list of research ideas that will dazzle your teacher and prove a worthwhile and beneficial experience for you:
1. Compare/contrast poverty reduction strategies of U.S. government foreign-aid programs to those of other donor countries, focusing on the end goals of such programs. For example, do the programs aim to increase income? Or, instead, do they focus on improving quality of life? At the end of your school report, analyze the pros and cons of such strategies and develop your own strategy for how you think poverty should be addressed.
2. Explore the structure and strategies of U.S. based non-profit organizations working to reduce global poverty. What do their programs focus on? Who are their top donors? How do they raise funds? Where are their funds allocated? What are their milestones/achievements?
3. The UN General Assembly designation of February 20th as the “World Day of Social Justice.” First explore and analyze the concept of social justice. Then specifically delve into the World Day of Social Justice by answering the questions: What is the purpose of this day? How/why was it developed? What are its achievements?
4. With one more year left until the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) target date, discuss what the MDGs are, as well as the various efforts made so far by UN member nations and global development institutions toward achieving the MDGs.
Student Resourcesmac Humanitarian Project Funding
5. Research poverty reduction measures taken by your local elected representatives. How often do they focus on poverty related issues? How much poverty related legislation have they drafted or co-sponsored? Discuss what their primary focus is and why. How can a constituent make poverty a priority for them?
Students should view school reports as a challenge and an opportunity to dig deeper into topics that interest them. The issue of global poverty spans many fields that are ripe with information for critical analysis. The topics listed above are just one of many poverty-related school report ideas to help give you a head start!
Student Resourcesmac Humanitarian Project Proposal
– Rifk Ebeid
Sources: UN News Centre, Take Apart, United Nations Millennium Development Goals
Photo: ksvoboda
Photo: ksvoboda