The Volvo Adventure programme, www.volvoadventure.org, works closely with the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) to recognise exceptional environmental work conducted by young people from around the globe.
Students from Queen Elizabeth II High School have been chosen from a pool of 245 teams in more than 45 countries to present their project ‘Investigative Journalists in Gambia’. The Isle of Man will be competing against teams from Brazil, China, Croatia, Egypt, Fiji, Macedonia, Paraguay, Russia, Tanzania, Turkey and the USA. The top three
teams will win $10,000, $6,000 and $4,000 respectively.
The students representing their School, and the Isle of Man, during TT week are – Thomas Anderson, Colin Bankes-Jones, Alexander Eaton, Rachael Harrop and Moira Pain, all 16 or 17 years of age.
Moira explained that their project was inspired when “we saw first-hand the impact climate change is having in Gambia. We came home determined 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 first out of more than 14,000 schools for sustainable credentials in EDF's Programme, The Pod, www.jointhepod.org, 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 students will be presenting their project to an international jury consisting of representatives from UNEP, World Wildlife Fund, World Scouting Organisation, UNESCO, Volvo Car Corporation and AB Volvo.
During their six days in Goteborg the students will also be involved in workshops. They will have to produce a short film addressing questions on which environmental issues are most important globally, what actions should be taken and what should decision makers do and why. The short film will be promoted to the United Nations Environment Programme and other environmental institutions via the Volvo Adventure website.
In addition, the School has just received the following news from Volvo that “One of our partners – the World Scouting Organisation – will have a representative on the jury. Having looked at your entry the World Scouting Organisation would like to reward your efforts with a ‘World Citizenship Award’. This is in addition to the expenses paid trip to Sweden.”
Mrs Sleight, Head of Lifeskills, said “this is the second time that the School has made the finals of this global environmental competition. In 2009 the School came second with their project ‘tREeCYCLE’. It is unbelievable that we have made the finals again. So many outstanding projects were entered. Our group are most excited to meet the other students from across the world and learn about their projects. We would also like to thank ManninKilt for their help and hire of outfits for the finals”.
The student’s projects can be viewed on the Volvo Adventure website.
