Rule of Law, Peace and Security (Short clip) by United Nations

What is the “rule of law”? 

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Why is creating a strong "rule of law" important for creating peaceful societies?

Your Challenge:

The “rule of law” is an important part of the founding UN Charter. Your challenge is to explore what this term means and how it assists countries to meet the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s).

Follow this Process:

  1. Watch this video Rule of Law and View this website. The Secretary-General has described the rule of law as “a principle of governance in which all persons, institutions and entities, public and private, including the State itself, are accountable to laws that are publicly promulgated, equally enforced and independently adjudicated, and which are consistent with international human rights norms and standards.
    This means:

    1. Laws must be known to all citizens (publicly promulgated)

    2. Equally enforced for example among rich and poor, male and female etc

    3. Judged by people with no interest in the outcome (independently judicated)

    4. Consistent with international human rights on freedom of information, gender discrimination, labour laws

  2. Discuss why you think each of the elements of the “rule of law” is important. To start the discussion why is it important that rules are known to everyone and not just to a select group? What can the select group pass if not everyone is aware of it? Why is the “rule of law” so important if the UN wants to achieve its SDG’s?

  3. Summarise the key parts of the rule of law. Write up on a whiteboard how countries (and the UN SDG’s) can benefit from each part above.

  4. Take action by making an effort this week to understand the laws that govern your behaviour such as traffic rules, school rules, rules of public assembly etc. Can you understand their purpose and are there some rules that should be changed.

  5. Report back to the class on the rules you think should be changed and why. If there is agreement on these share your views with your local MP.

  6. Capture and share your findings and make a video to place on this website.

 Educator Notes

To make it more accessible:

  • Discuss why it is important to have laws governing social actions rather than letting individuals do as they wish. Road rules are a good place to start- what happens if every driver does as he/she wishes?

  • Discussion points for younger students: Why do countries need rules and laws? What are laws and why do we have them? How do laws help people? Who makes laws and how do they do this?


To make it more challenging:

Discuss why it is important that laws are judged by someone who is independent (usually Judges or a jury of citizens) and not involved in the issue before them or known to the person accused of breaking the law.

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