Students from Queen Elizabeth II High School have won the first ever International Award run by the Ozone Action branch of the United Nations Environment Programme in co-operation with Volvo Adventure.
Students Moira Pain, Rachael Harrop, Alex Eaton, Colin Bankes-Jones and Tom Anderson (aged 16-17) represented the Isle of Man. They travelled to Goteburg in Sweden to compete against ten other international finalists in the 2012 Volvo Adventure Awards,
which was organised in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Teams in the final were from Brazil, China, Croatia, Egypt, Macedonia, Paraguay, Russia, Turkey and the USA. A total of 245 teams from 45 countries entered the
competition and the Ozone Award was commissioned in commemoration of the 25 year anniversary of the United Nations Montreal Protocol.
Our students submitted a project entitled ‘Investigative Journalism in the Gambia.’ Moira Pain (16) said ‘Our project was inspired by a trip to the Gambia with the international charity, Concern Universal, where we saw first-hand the impact climate change is having.
Two of the most significant issues that we learned about were salinisation and desertification, and we came home determined to do our bit to stop these problems, both of which are exacerbated by climate change. We want to educate people about how to, and why they should, reduce their carbon footprint. Whole-school initiatives have begun to reduce the School’s carbon emissions. As a result of our efforts the School is now ranked second out of more than 15,000 schools for sustainable credentials in EDF's Programme, The Pod, which is part of Eco-Schools. We have raised ?3,000 for Concern Universal so that they can continue their work to help those affected by climate change.’
The judges were a team of representatives from UNEP, UNESCO, Volvo Car Corporation and AB Volvo. Their citation for the Isle of Man project read: ‘A passionate project of solidarity, linking local action with impact anywhere on the planet. A true demonstration of thinking globally and acting locally.’
Paraguay, Brazil and the USA took first, second and third place prizes respectively with projects ‘Chake Dengue’, ‘Wash and return of pesticide packaging’ and 'Prescription Pill and Drug Disposal'. Their entries can be viewed at http://www.volvoadventure.org.
Whilst in Sweden the team participated in many activities including workshops on themes of environmental responsibility, international co-operation and reducing carbon outputs. They also went on a tour of the Volvo factory, visited the Swedish Archipelago, explored the local high school and spent an evening having dinner at the home of their Swedish hosts.
Rob Simpson, Head of R.S. and Social Sciences, said, ‘I have been in a bit of shock this week. I had no idea of the sheer scale of the event. Our ‘Famous Five’ students were a huge hit with top brass from Volvo, the UN, Tunza Ecological magazine and the BBC, and for the students to be speaking to them on equal terms was an incredible opportunity.’
Lesley Sleight, Head of Lifeskills, said, ‘Wondy Asnake from UNEP was so impressed with the group that he is inviting two of them to represent Europe at the 2012 UN Climate Change Conference in Qatar. In addition, the World Scouting Organisation rewarded them each with a “World Citizenship Award”. It has been an incredible experience for us all and the Isle of Man should be proud. This is the second time our country has been selected for the finals. In 2009 we were placed second with project ‘tREeCYCLE’, an outstanding achievement!’
The students would like to thank ManninKilt hire for providing their Manx Outfits for the finals.
- Ends -
