Education Kit
AFRICAN MOOT
African Moot
Directed by: Shameela Seedat Countries: SOUTH AFRICA Duration: 1:25:00
Teacher and Student Guide:
This pack has been designed to help teachers and students enrich their experience of viewing AFRICAN MOOT by providing support in the form of questions and activities around key ideas and themes. There is a range of questions that will frame important discussions and activities before and after viewing the film. Some of the web links will also provide starting points for further research or discussion. These are by no means definitive. While we identify appropriate subjects, we do not presume to write activities or assignments for assessment against the standards. Our aim is to enable a better understanding of key principles and ideas through discussion and learning. The Film: Director Seedat’s powerful film offers a glimpse into the annual mock trial contest held for human rights law students from top universities across Africa. The film showcases the passion and determination of these bright young students as they argue cases related to refugee law. Through their arguments, the film highlights the potential of Africa's future legal thought leaders and their role in shaping the continent's legal landscape. The cases presented are both challenging and inspiring, offering a window into the frustration and optimism of these students as they strive to win the competition. This is a thoughtprovoking and compelling film that sheds light on the importance of legal education and advocacy in Africa.
View the Trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNf4jbehTTM
1. Film Screening: The first step in using this study kit is to watch the documentary film AFRICAN MOOT. You can obtain the film through the Doc Edge Schools program. Suggest students take notes during the film on themes, character development, and other aspects of the story as well as any detail that stands out to them – there is usually a reason even if it is not immediately clear. Writing down questions or impressions as they watch will help with their analysis during discussions after the film. 2. Discussion Questions: After watching the film, lead a group discussion with students using the following questions: • What is the African Moot competition, and why is it important? • How do the human rights law students prepare for the competition, and what are the challenges they face? • What is the significance of the cases presented in the competition, and how do they reflect the current state of refugee law in Africa? • How do the students use their legal education to advocate for social justice and human rights? • What can we learn from the dedication and passion of these young legal scholars, and how can we support the development of legal thought leaders in Africa? 3. Research Assignment: Have students research a human rights issue in Africa, such as the rights of refugees or the impact of climate change on human rights. Encourage them to explore the legal and political context of the issue, as well as the role of human rights advocates and legal scholars in addressing the issue. Students can present their findings in a written report or a multimedia presentation. 4. Mock Trial Simulation: Divide students into groups and assign each group a case related to human rights law in Africa. Encourage them to research the legal context of the case and prepare arguments for both sides of the issue. Have the groups present their arguments in a mock trial simulation, with other students serving as judges and audience members. 5. Legal Advocacy Project: Have students work in groups to develop a legal advocacy project related to a human rights issue in Africa. Encourage them to consider the potential impact of their project on the community and to develop a plan for implementation. Students can present their projects in a written report or a multimedia presentation.
Fun Tasks for AFRICAN MOOT 1. Legal Debate: Organise a legal debate with students. Have one group arguing for a particular human rights issue and another group arguing against it. Encourage students to research their positions and develop compelling arguments, and to engage in respectful and constructive debate. 2. Human Rights Advocacy Poster: Have students create a poster advocating for a human rights issue in Africa, such as the rights of refugees or the impact of climate change on human rights. Encourage them to use creative imagery and language to convey the importance of the issue and to inspire others to take action. 3. Legal Mentorship Program: Have students work in pairs, with one student serving as a mentor and the other as a mentee. The mentor can be a law student or legal professional, and the mentee can be a high school student, or someone interested in pursuing a legal career. Encourage the mentor to share their experiences and advice on legal education and advocacy, and to provide guidance and support to the mentee in pursuing their goals. 4. African Human Rights Quiz: Create a quiz focused on human rights issues in Africa, including questions about the African Moot competition and other key events and figures in African legal history. Encourage students to research the answers and to use the quiz to deepen their understanding of human rights in Africa. 5. Film Critique: Have students write a critique of the film, focusing on its themes, characters, and relevance to contemporary issues. Encourage them to reflect on the importance of legal education and advocacy in Africa, and to consider how the film inspires them to act in their own lives.
The Filmmaker:
Shameela Seedat | Director/Producer Human rights lawyer turned filmmaker, Shameela Seedat focuses mainly on character-driven stories and has been commissioned to make several documentaries for local and international television, and civil society institutions. Her first independent feature-length documentary Whispering Truth to Power, about the last year in the office of South Africa’s first female Public Protector, won awards from Hot Docs, FESPACO, Luxor African Film Festival, St Paul and Minneapolis FF, Jozi FF and African Studies Association and has shown at over fifty festivals around the world.
The Documentary New Zealand Trust (Doc Edge) Registered Charity CC23536 PO Box 8658 Symonds Street Box Lobby Auckland 1150 09 360 0329 docedge.nz © Doc Edge | December 2023