Students awarded for promoting equal world
By William O'Connor
Students from nine schools across the county were awarded a prestigious national award in recognition of their work in promoting global justice and an equal world.
Schools in Clondalkin, Lucan, and Templeogue were awarded WorldWise Global Schools Citizens and Diplomatic Passports, in recognition of their extra-curricular work in development education, at an annual schools conference that was held at the Galmont Hotel in Galway at the end of April.
Foodel Azeez and Ruth Malone, Kishoge Community College, Lucan and Mary Browne of Irish Aid
Close to 50 Irish secondary schools received prizes at the event, which was hosted by Worldwise Global Schools (WWGS), the organisation that is charged with delivering Irish Aid’s schools Development Education programme.
“Students and teachers of those schools across county Dublin are undertaking development education work across every aspect of school life. Students have shown great creativity and commitment in promoting the Sustainable Development Goals in their school and community, by producing films, writing stories, organising fair trade fairs, encouraging their school to go plastic free, amongst many other things!” said WorldWise Global Schools Director, Rita Walsh.
Dublin students were amongst 300 from 70 secondary schools to attend the 5th Irish Aid WWGS annual conference, where 50 of the schools were awarded WWGS Global Passports.
The conference – led by TV presenter Michael Carey – consisted of school exhibits, interactive workshops, plenary discussions and debates.
The event provided a platform for Irish secondary school students to speak out and take action on critical global issues, and to call for the Irish government to take the issue of sustainability seriously.
The day focused on the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals that provide the framework for reducing poverty and inequality globally by 2030. Some of the goals focused on climate action, responsible production and consumption and reducing inequalities.
“Development Education provides schools with the opportunity to really explore global issues and to identify appropriate action they can take in response to inequality and injustice.
“All of the students and teachers who are at the conference today have demonstrated their commitment to making the world more just and sustainable – which is inspiring for us all,” concluded Rita Walsh.
