The Minister for Development, Trade Promotion and North South Co-operation Seán Sherlock TD is calling on all primary school students to get involved in the 2016 Our World Irish Aid Awards. Picture: Clare Keogh
ALL Kerry primary school pupils from 3rd to 6th class are being called upon to take part in the 2016 Our World Irish Aid Awards.
The awards seek to help children in Ireland understand global development issues and Ireland’s role in fighting poverty worldwide.
Through the Awards, pupils learn about the lives of children in developing countries and the work of Irish Aid, the Government’s programme for overseas development.
Pupils then create projects to highlight the challenges facing poor communities in developing countries, and the progress being achieved by Ireland and other countries in the global effort to fight poverty.
Last year St. Ita’s & St. Joseph’s flew the flag for Tralee along with four other Kerry national schools, they were: Dromclough, Loughfouder, Scoil Naomh Eirc and Lyreacrompane who made it to the regional finals.
The theme for 2016 is ‘One World, One Future’.
It will ask 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.
“I encourage all Kerry schools to get involved in this great programme,” said Minister of State for Overseas Development Assistance, Trade Promotion and North South Cooperation, Sean Sherlock.
“The Our World Irish Aid Awards give pupils from all over Kerry 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,” he said.
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.
The 12 top entries will win a place at the final awards ceremony in June, where they will receive trophies, with one outstanding project winning the overall ‘Our World Irish Aid Awards’ trophy.
The inaugural Our World Irish Aid Awards Teacher of the Year Award will also be introduced this year, where one teacher will be recognised for their outstanding contribution to the Awards and be invited to act as an ambassador for the 2016-2017 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 11th 2016.
For more information on how to take part please visit: http://ourworldirishaidawards.ie/
