Educational Resources

CRS Education

These featured lessons and simulations were created by teachers for teachers. Though created with a special emphasis for use at the high school level, they can easily be adapted for use at the middle school or collegiate level. Additionally, these lesson plans are appropriate for use in a classroom, religious education program, or parish youth ministry. This section will be updated regularly; in the months ahead, you will be able to search for additional resources by country/region or by global issue.

Stewardship / Care of Creation

Though the specific mission of CRS is not directly focused on environmental justice, CRS upholds stewardship as one its guiding principles: that there is an inherent integrity to all of creation that requires careful stewardship of all our resources, ensuring that we use and distribute them justly and equitably, as well as planning for future generations. In the effort to foster increased education on environmental justice, we have compiled a list of resources below that link care of creation to our faith tradition and connect environmental justice to advocacy, international development, and care for the global poor. Special attention is given to water because of the direct connection to numerous CRS projects overseas.

Migration in the Light of Catholic Social Teaching

As stated in the pastoral letter on migration, Strangers No Longer, Together on the Journey of Hope, "Our common faith in Jesus Christ moves us to search for ways that favor a spirit of solidarity. It is a faith that transcends borders and bids us to overcome all forms of discrimination and violence so that we may build relationships that are just and loving. " Invite young people to embrace this profound vision of solidarity with the migrant. Several resources, rooted in the principles of Catholic Social Teaching, are available through CRS and its partners that foster prayer, advocacy and education about the complex realities surrounding the issue of migration.

What is Fair Trade?

US Teenagers spend over $200 billion a year and many of them are gradually becoming more concerned about how their money is spent. Economic issues like fair vs. free trade, sweat shops, child labor and access to education among others are of great concern to many young people today. The CRS Fair Trade program has compiled numerous educational resources to help foster increased understanding of economic justice, and in particular Fair Trade. Resources include general information on fair trade, coffee, and chocolate, teaching modules rooted in Catholic Social Teaching and providing a depth of understanding using the fair trade chocolate story, and specific information on the CRS Fair Trade program.

Life as a Coffee Farmer

Lead your students in this thought-provoking role-play where they learn about the injustices in the coffee supply chain and reflect on the challenges faced by coffee farmers around the world.

This role play comes from CRS ' Food Fast program, a 24-hour hunger awareness program for youth. More information on Food Fast and how to order your free materials is available at the Food Fast website.

A Window into Afghanistan: Lesson Plans for High School Educators

Brand new! Introduce your students to Afghanistan with this one-week unit. Five in-depth lessons cover history, culture, Islam, women and rebuilding a nation. This resource also includes a power point presentation, ready-to-print student handouts, assignments and teachers' keys. Designed for grades 9-12.

Sudan: Remembering, Responding, Rebuilding

Darfur is the one of the world's largest humanitarian crises. Use these tools to help your students understand the humanitarian crisis in Sudan. Includes lesson plan, power point presentation, prayer service and more. These documents are part of a larger resource, The CRS Sudan Portal.

Additional Information on Sudan

Solidarity with Africa

Catholic Relief Services launched the Africa Campaign: Africa Rising, Hope and Healing in 2001. Africa Rising Hope and Healing invites Catholics in the United States to stand in solidarity with their brothers and sisters in Africa through prayer, dialogue and advocacy. In November of 2001, the U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops authored a pastoral statement A Call to Solidarity with Africa that challenges the Catholic church in the U.S. to support the Catholic church in Africa in its efforts to work for peace, justice and development on the continent.

We hope that these resources inspire you and your students to understand the challenges faced by African communities, to embrace the hope that comes from the African culture and the faith of the African people, and live in solidarity with our brothers and sisters through prayer, educated discussion and action.

HIV & AIDS Resources

Although the observance of World AIDS Day has passed, the need continues for education, awareness-raising and a call to live in solidarity with those who live with HIV/AIDS. World AIDS Day serves as a reminder that our prayer and outreach must not cease. The theme for 2006 World AIDS Day 2006 was Stop AIDS: Keep the Promise. CRS has developed numerous education, prayer and informational resources suitable for use in schools and parishes throughout the year. Additional information is available through the National Catholic AIDS Network.

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