Local students face up to global challenges

A NATIOAL conference with a global outlook honoured the efforts of hundreds of Northside students to bring world issues to the classroom last week.

Student and teacher representatives from several local schools gathered for the annual Irish Aid WorldWise Global Schools conference in Limerick, where they discussed and debated a broad range of issues.

Topics discussed included the current European migrant crisis, global warming and the challenges of achieving justice and equality in the world.

Honoured at the event were students from Blakestown CS, Coolmine CS, Fingal CC, Hansfield Educate Together, Kishogue CC, Margaret Aylward CC, Maryfield College and St Aidan’s CBS.

“The students of today will be the decision makers and custodians of our world tomorrow,” said Mary McCarthy, Director of WorldWise Global Schools.

“Our goal is to engage young people, so that they have a deeper interest and understanding, and are equipped to tackle the challenges that the world is facing.”

WorldWise Global Schools is a programme that supports the delivery of Development Education in schools, funded by the Irish Government, via Irish Aid.

This year’s conference, held at Thomond Park, was entitled ‘Global Goals: Taking Action!’ and it focused on a broad range of relevant topics including the recently launched Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the European migrant crisis and climate change.

The conference concluded with the formal presentation of the 2016 Global Passport Awards – a national awards scheme initiated by WorldWise Global Schools to recognise and validate secondary schools that have demonstrated high levels of engagement with and commitment to global justice.