Minister Sherlock launches 2016 Irish Aid Our World Awards for primary schools
12/1/16The Minister for Development, Trade Promotion and North South Co-operation Seán Sherlock TD joined pupils at Vicarstown National School, Co. Cork today to launch the 2016 Our World Irish Aid Awards.
The Awards invite pupils across Ireland to create projects, in any medium, through which they learn about the lives of children in developing countries and the work of Irish Aid, the Government’s programme for overseas development. The projects will highlight the challenges facing children in developing countries and the progress which is being achieved by Ireland and other countries through the global effort to fight poverty.
The ‘One World, One Future’ theme of the 2016 Awards asks that pupils 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.
Speaking at today’s launch, Minister Sherlock said:
“The Our World Irish Aid Awards give pupils from all over Ireland a great opportunity to gain 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 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 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 schools to get involved in the 2016 Irish Aid Our World Awards and look forward to seeing their projects later this year.”
Awards seek to help children in Ireland understand global development issues and Ireland’s role in fighting poverty worldwide
All entries are assessed on their creativity, understanding of the theme and their impact. Projects that illustrate strengths across these three areas will receive an ‘Our World Irish Aid Award’ plaque at regional awards ceremonies in May, and top entries will win a place at the final awards ceremony in June, where the winner will be presented with an ‘Our World Irish Aid Awards’ trophy.
Over 1,000 primary schools throughout Ireland participated in the Our World Irish Aid Awards in 2015. Registration for the programme is now open and the deadline for entries is Friday, March 11th 2016.
This year, for the first time, will see the inaugural Our World Irish Aid Awards Teacher of the Year Award. This teacher will receive an award, and will be invited to act as an ambassador for the Awards for the 2016-2017 programme.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
· Irish Aid is the Government’s overseas assistance programme. It is managed by the Development Cooperation Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. For further information see www.irishaid.ie
· For more information on how to take part in the Our World Irish Aid Awards 2016 and the Global Goals for Sustainable Development please visit http://ourworldirishaidawards.ie/.