SOUTHSIDE primary school pupils have been urged to take part in the 2016 Our World Irish Aid Awards.
The Minister for Development, Trade Promotion and North South Cooperation, Seán Sherlock, is calling on all pupils from 3rd to 6th class to enter the awards that help children to learn about the lives of others in developing countries.
The Southside was well represented at the 2015 awards, with Bishop Galvin NS Templelogue, St Colmcilles Senior National School Knocklyon and St Patrick’s NS Kiltiernan making it to the regional finals.
The theme of the 2016 Awards, ‘One World, One Future’, asks pupils to imagine how their world might look in 2030, and enables them to learn about the new United Nations Global Goals for Sustainable Development, which seek to address the root causes of poverty worldwide.
Minister Sherlock said: “The Our World Irish Aid Awards give pupils from all over South Dublin a great opportunity to gain an insight into the lives of children in the developing world and convey their understanding through projects which are both creative and educational.
“This year pupils will learn about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals which were agreed upon in September 2015. The goals are aimed at eradicating poverty, addressing environmental degradation and climate change, and building a more peaceful, fair and sustainable world.
The minister added: “The Global Goals offer an ambitious framework to tackle the most pressing social, economic and environmental problems facing the world today. It is so important that pupils in Ireland today learn about these Goals which are so vital for the creation of a better world and a better future for all.
“I encourage all South Dublin schools to get involved in this great programme.”
Over 1,000 primary schools throughout Ireland participated in the Our World Irish Aid Awards in 2015.
Registration for the 2016 Awards programme is now open and the deadline for entries is Friday, March 11.