Local pupils at World Irish Aid final

PRIMARY school pupils from four Northside schools took part in the Dublin regional final of the World Irish Aid Awards earlier this month.

Local schools represented were Scoil Choilm Community National School, Clonsilla, St Ciaran's National School, Hartstown, Scoil Bhride Cailini, Blanchardstown and St Catherine's Senior School, Cabra West.

The awards are the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s flagship global citizenship programme for primary schools.  

The local students attended the regional final at the Dublin Clocktower that saw 15 primary schools from Dublin for places at the national final.

Minister of State for the Diaspora and International Development, Ciarán Cannon said that this year’s award entries had shown exceptional creativity and understanding of the theme ‘Leave No One Behind’.

“I am extremely encouraged by the level of engagement in the Our World Irish Aid Awards and by the willingness of our young people to play an active part in the international effort to make sure that each and every one of the world’s 7.6 billion citizens counts equally,” he said.

“The Our World Irish Aid Awards, bring Irish Aid’s work to build better futures for some of the world’s poorest communities directly into the classroom, challenging the next generation to ensure that it is made an ongoing priority.”

“We all have a role to play in Ireland’s contribution towards the United Nations Global Goals for Sustainable Development, no matter how young or old we are. 

“Alongside 192 other countries, the part we play in achieving these goals will have a positive impact on the life of every citizen on this planet, as we all count equally.  However, the biggest life-changing impact will be seen amongst the most vulnerable and especially those who live in developing countries.”

Now in their 14th year, the Our World Irish Aid Awards help primary school pupils learn about the lives of children and their families in developing countries, and how Ireland and 192 other countries are working together to create a safer and fairer world and a better future for all the world’s children through the U.N. Global Goals for Sustainable Development.  

All 15 schools present at the regional final were presented with an ‘Our World Irish Aid Award’ plaque.