The Big Human Rights Questions

By: The Big Question team (The Open University)

Emma Joseph and the team investigate some of the large issues underlying human rights.

26 Nov

2004

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BBC The European Court of Human Rights

Does aid work? BBC

The richer nations in the world give aid to their neighbours every year. But is it doing any good? Read more : Does aid work?

What is free trade? photos.com

A solution to the world's ills, or a way of keeping poor nations poor? Read more : What is free trade?

How fair is free trade? Used with permission

Free trade is the theory of trade without restrictions. But that theory is not easily put into practice. Take the billions spent through... Read more : How fair is free trade?

Can we ever beat slavery? Production team

Undocumented workers and people trafficking are common in the 21st Century - will we ever defeat slavery? Read more : Can we ever beat slavery?

Who needs migrant workers? Production team

For some they are the backbone of the economy; for others they are the biggest threat. It seems migrants are everywhere. Some countries encourage migration,... Read more : Who needs migrant workers?

How easy is it for refugees to return home? Production team

The end of the civil war in Somalialand means refugees could start returning home - but it's not that simple. Read more : How easy is it for refugees to return home?

How easy is it for returnees to resettle? Production team

Emma Joseph travels to Somaliland and meets people coming back after the civil war. The Big Question: How easy is it for returning ... Read more : How easy is it for returnees to resettle?

Courses

If you'd like to take your interest in this area further, the Open University might have a course for you - regardless of where you live. Many OU courses are available worldwide, making use of the web, email and electronic conferencing. The exact range of courses available to you will depend on the country in which you live.

If you're new to studying this subject at a higher level, a good place to start would be Understanding society, which offers an opportunity to consider selected key concepts and debates within the social sciences - for example, in relation to families, culture, global markets, migrant labour, community and social movements.

International development - "Challenges for a world in transition" - explores the issues arising in a world challenged by poverty and inequality, but also facing the opportunities of technology and knowledge. This is a second-level course and although no prior knowledge is assumed, it's recommended that you try a lower-level course before starting it.

The Big Question in more depth:

About The Big Question BBC World Service

Every week, Emma Joseph and her guests go beyond the soundbites to explore the Big Questions facing the world - from celebrity to cloning, from... Read more : About The Big Question

OU on the BBC: The Big Question - The Big Question week-by-week BBC

A full year's worth of questions investigated by the BBC World Service and The Open University Read more : OU on the BBC: The Big Question - The Big Question week-by-week

Meet Emma Joseph Used with permission

Meet Emma Joseph, presenter of The Big Question on BBC World Service. Read more : Meet Emma Joseph

The Big Economics Questions BBC

The "dismal science" is brought to life by Emma and the Big Question team Read more : The Big Economics Questions

The Big Environment Questions BBC

The world we live in is under attack - quite a bit from the way we live in it. Explore environmental questions. Read more : The Big Environment Questions

The Big Health Questions Used with permission

Keeping healthy - and getting better. Emma and the team investigate health questions. Read more : The Big Health Questions

The Big History Questions Used with permission

Join The Big Question team as they explore the world of the past. Read more : The Big History Questions

The Big Politics Questions Used with permission

Some countries have democracy; some have despots - but no nation is free of politics. Read more : The Big Politics Questions

The Big Religion Questions BBC

Trust The Big Question team to find the right questions to explore the worlds of faith. Read more : The Big Religion Questions

The Big Science & Technology Questions BBC

It's a connected world. Emma and the team work out what links where. Read more : The Big Science & Technology Questions