College students in national debate on Climate Change
Posted on Friday 22 June 2007
Farnborough Sixth Form College students contribute to key conference and link with their partner sch
Farnborough Sixth Form College students contribute to key conference
DELEGATES from Farnborough Sixth Form College are to debate Climate Change at the 2007 Global Student Forum (GSF) in London on July 2, 2007, and then return to the college as peer educators to cascade the conclusions.
The one-day conference, which exists to enable students of all faiths and none to think carefully about the spiritual and moral issues underlying global citizenship, will run under the title 'Dyingfor a Drink?'.
Held in association with Stop Climate Chaos, the day will help teenagers reflect on three key issues:
· that water is a universal human right;
· why climate change is a justice issue; and
· how our actions can improve the lives of the poor.
The conference is designed to fit in with the curriculum and delegates will be given a Peer Educator book with an integral DVD that will enable them to teach PHSE to the first year students at the College in the autumn term. The Farnborough students are working together with their partner school in Ghana to prepare for the forum. The Head Teacher of the partner school, Peter Logo, and the Senior Housemother, Isabella Awalime, visited the College in April and worked with staff and students to develop joint curricular projects. As a result of this partnership and participation in the Global Student Forum, students in both Ghana and the UK will be able to prepare peer education material to be used internationally.
Mike Eager, 17 from Camberley, is a first year student at the College taking part in the Global Student Forum. He said: "This is a great opportunity for us to learn about our world and why problems such as the water shortages exist. We're all looking forward to learning and discussing this with our peers and outside experts."
Speakers at this year's conference include the Bolivian Ambassador, Maria Souviron, representatives of aid agencies, such as Christian Aid, and young people from developing countries.
Nick Pollard, director of GSF said: "Over 800 students packed the conference centre for GSF last year. This is the only event of its kind in the UK where students can debate with and interview key decision-makers and leading experts in the fields of the environment and politics, and then return home with a Peer Educator Book to share their new-found knowledge with other students. The peer education approach means their enthusiasm for Global Citizenship is given an outlet as soon as the conference ends."
Dr John Guy, Principal of the College said: “The College is proud to be involved in the Global Student Forum and particularly pleased to be working with students from our partner school in Ghana to develop curriculum materials and extend our perspectives and thinking beyond those of the well-developed economic communities”.
Dr Guy added, “Fifteen of our students are currently visiting our partner school in Aburi, Ghana, in as part of our exchange programme and so they will have first hand experience of the impact that their decisions might have on a developing country”.
Photo caption: Matt Woodcock, Catherine Cole, John Guy and Lisa Hart receive gifts from Headmaster of Aburi Technical School, Peter Logo, and Senior Mistress Isabella Awalime, during their recent visit to the College.
Photo caption: Matt Woodcock, Catherine Cole, John Guy and Lisa Hart receive gifts from Headmaster of Aburi Technical School, Peter Logo, and Senior Mistress Isabella Awalime, during their recent visit to the College.
