Evaluate qualities and strengths of leaders

 

Overview: La Roche College in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, provides collegiate opportunities to young men and women from war-ravaged regions of the world. Innocent Bagabama from Rwanda is one of the program's recent graduates. Use this article and the discussion questions and activity to give students the opportunity to learn about one man's goal to help his war-ravaged country. Have students identify qualities of leaders and evaluate strategies leaders might use to unite people of different backgrounds.

Curriculum connections: Geography, Life Skills

Have students read the CNNfyi.com article "Rwandan earns U.S. education for homeland use," and answer the following questions:

1. Who is Innocent Bagabama? What is the "Pacem in Terris Institute" project? Why was Bagabama chosen to be a participant in this program? Who is Monsignor William Kerr? How has Kerr influenced Bagabama's life? What do you think is the ultimate goal of this program? Explain.

2. What happened in Rwanda in 1994? How did these events directly impact Bagabama and his pursuit for an education?

3. Remind the students that Kerr states that he told Bagabama, "You have all of the ingredients to be a leader." Brainstorm with students examples of "ingredients" of a leader. Have a student create a list of these on the board. Then ask: Which qualities do you think are most important in a leader? How might an education in the United States help nurture a natural leader such as Bagabama? Discuss.

4. Share the quote by Innocent Bagabama. "I'd like people to get together and understand that they are one, and work together and develop their country, not look at the tribal political differences." Why is unity in the city important to Bagabama? What are some strategies that an effective leader might utilize to accomplish this goal? Discuss.

5. What makes a good leader? Challenge students to create a list of leaders such as Winston Churchill, Martin Luther King Jr., and Franklin D. Roosevelt. Have each student write a report about the background and attributes of one of these individuals. Under what circumstances did the person come into power? What events challenged his/her leadership abilities? Why was this person considered an effective leader? After students share their findings, have them examine the similarities and differences in the leadership styles of these individuals. What recommendations might these leaders to Innocent Bagabama as he sets out to lead his country towards a peaceful future?