Irish Aid Our World Awards 2016

Awards seek to help children in Ireland understand global development issues and Ireland’s role in fighting poverty worldwide

The 2016 Irish Aid Our World Awards, an annual awards programme for Irish pupils from third to sixth class, have been launched by the Minister of State Seán Sherlock at Vicarstown National School in Co. Cork

The Awards invite pupils across Ireland to create projects about the lives of children in developing countries and the work of Irish Aid, the Government’s programme for overseas development. Pupils work in pairs, as a class or as a whole school to present a project on the Sustainable Development Goals and the work of Irish Aid. 

Last year, over 1,000 primary schools throughout Ireland participated in the Our World Irish Aid Awards, and projects highlighted the challenges facing children in developing countries and progress in the global effort to fight poverty. In 2015, children presented their ideas through a range of media including, artwork, drama, photo, film, new media, music, and traditional project presentations. 

The Awards give primary school students in Irish classrooms a wonderful opportunity to explore development topics and the work of Irish Aid through project work. Irish Aid supports teachers throughout the process by providing lesson plans, information and pupils magazines as well as support and advice. 

The Awards give primary school students in Irish classrooms a wonderful opportunity to explore development topics and the work of Irish Aid through project work.

In 2016, the theme of the awards is ‘One World, One Future’, and pupils are asked to imagine how their world might look in 2030 and to learn about the newly agreed United Nations Global Goals for Sustainable Development which seek to address the root causes of poverty worldwide. 

All entries are assessed on creativity, understanding of the theme and the impact of the project. Selected projects will receive an ‘Our World Irish Aid Award’ plaque at regional awards ceremonies in May, and top entries will earn a place at the final awards ceremony in June, where the winner will be presented with the ‘Our World Irish Aid Awards’ trophy.