The Belfast event, organised by the DOE’s Environment and Heritage Service, showcased the Northern Ireland participants of the Eco-Unesco Young Environmentalist Awards 2007 as well as other award schemes being promoted in Northern Ireland.
Projects on display included the overall Junior Young Environmentalist Award 2007, won by pupils from St Catherine’s College, County Armagh, with their project called ‘Green Christmas and Recycle Light’. This school also won the Junior Waste category.
Two other schools from Northern Ireland also won top prizes this year. The Junior Biodiversity category prize was won by St Joseph’s Boys' School County Londonderry, with the project ‘Increasing Biodiversity in an Urban Area’ and the Junior Energy category went to Banbridge High School Co Down, with their project ‘Get Switched on to Switching off’.
The Minister told her audience: “Climate change is a huge issue and there has never been a more important time for environmental education. The next generation is going to face tremendous environmental challenges, so it is vital that it is equipped with the knowledge it needs to look after the planet for the future.
“In the Young Environmentalist Awards, Eco-Schools Awards and others, your participation, quality projects and commitment to the environment are true, lasting measures of the scheme's success. The event today shows that the environment is a concern that unites people and communities everywhere.”
Notes to Editors:
- ECO-UNESCO’s Young Environmentalist Awards Programme has been running since 1999 and has attracted the participation of over 8,000 young people and reached countless others with awareness raising campaigns in over 750 schools and communities in Ireland.
- Further information on this awards programme, on Eco-Schools and other environmental education programmes can be obtained from Anne Hayes, EHS Education Manager on 9056 9270.
- For media enquiries contact DOE Press Office on 028 9054 0003. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
