Caroline Leitch from Loanends Primary School, Co Antrim and Caitriona Boyle from St Mary’s Grammar School, Magherafelt, were the winners of the Environmental Youth Speak finals at the Guildhall, Londonderry.
The Environment and Heritage Service sponsored the Finals giving children between 8 and 12 years the opportunity to speak their mind on topical environmental themes. The themes for the Final were “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – what it means to me” and “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - why are they in that order?”
There have been competitions in local Council heats and yesterday's Final was hosted by broadcaster Stephen Nolan. Judging the Final were John Minnis from the Environment and Heritage Service, Sue Christie, NI Environment Link and Sarah Lapsley from the Verbal Arts Centre, Derry.
Now its tenth year at local Council level its popularity has gone from strength to strength, with over 50 schools partaking in the Northern Ireland competition.
Notes to Editors:
- The Environment Youth Speak competition was initiated 10 years ago by 3 District Councils – Ards; Down and North Down.
- The aim of the competition is to encourage environmental awareness among our young people by giving them the opportunity to research and debate environmental issues.
- There are 2 entry sections. Pupils in each section spoke for 3 – 5 minutes. The topic for the junior section (P6 & P7 pupils) was “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – what it means to me.” The senior section (P7 & P8 pupils) spoke on “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - why are they in that order?”.
- All 26 District Councils in Northern Ireland took part in the 2007 competition, organising local heats throughout April and May. District Councils are divided into 3 Waste Management Groups: ARC21 (Eastern Region); SWaMP (Southern Waste Management Partnership); North West (North West Region Waste Management Group). Each Group held their regional heats on the morning of the Final which was held on 10 May 2007 in the Guildhall in Londonderry.
- View Photographs
