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Dublin school wins Our World Irish Aid Award

Education, News/feature, Ireland, 2011

Fifth class pupils of Clonburris National School in Clondalkin, Dublin 22 were today announced the overall winners of the Our World Irish Aid Awards at a ceremony in Dublin Castle.

The Clonburris pupils, whose project was entitled ‘A Bright Future Is In Our Hands’, produced a book focused on the Millennium Development Goals and wrote an accompanying song. They received the overall award before an audience of 300 pupils and teachers at the ceremony hosted by RTE young people’s presenter, Rob Ross. Some 700 primary schools participated in the national programme this year.

 Congratulating the pupils, Minister of State for Overseas Development, Peter Power said:

The excellent project by the pupils of Clonburris National School showed great understanding of the Millennium Development Goals. Their lively and interesting book and song will prove an important resource in sharing their understanding of the challenges facing communities in the developing world with fellow pupils.

It is crucial that the children of today are encouraged to look beyond our borders and understand that they have a role to play in making the world a more equitable place. I would like to commend all of those pupils who were recognised at today’s awards for the imagination and consideration they brought to their projects. I would also like to thank their teachers for stimulating their interest in the developing world.

 Irish Aid is deeply committed to improving education in the countries where we work. But we also believe it is important to engage the Irish public in the challenges facing communities in the developing world and the improvements that are being achieved, partly through Irish support.”

This is the sixth year of the annual Our World Irish Aid Awards. The programme is designed to encourage young people across Ireland to learn more about the lives of children in developing nations.  The core aim of the awards scheme, which is run by Irish Aid, the Government’s overseas aid programme, is to foster a greater understanding of the Millennium Development Goals.

The students explore the day to day challenges faced by children of their own age in other countries. They then create projects using art, drama, essays, poetry, film and music.

Clonburris National School was one of 11 schools shortlisted for this year’s awards. They produced a book which explored the Millennium Development Goals through the subjects on the primary school curriculum. They also wrote a song.

Schools from Dublin, Louth, Kildare, Kilkenny, Monaghan, Clare, Westmeath and Donegal all travelled to the awards in Dublin Castle today.

 The overall winner of the Our World Irish Aid Award is Clonburris National School, Clondalkin, Dublin 22.

 Also honoured with Highly Commended prizes at this year’s Awards were:

School:                        St.Mary’s B.N.S, Drogheda, Louth.
Project:                        Our World, Our Future

School:                        St.Coleman’s N.S, Kilkenny.
Project:                        Exploring the Millennium Development Goals

School:                        St. Ciarans N.S, Clonsilla, Dublin 15.
Project:                        How Does Your Banana Make A Difference

School:                        St. Mary’s B.N.S, Monaghan.
Project:                        Health is Wealth

School:                        Ballybay Central School, Monaghan.
Project:                         How the Millennium Development Goals Are Working in Malawi to Give The Children There A Better Future.

School:                        Kildangan N.S, Kildangan, Kildare.
Project:                        Children are the Future, Children are the Present, We can Change the World.

School:                        Scoil Cholmchille S.N.S, Ballybrack, Dublin.
Project:                        Education is the Light

School:                        Educate Together N.S, Ennis, Clare.
Project:                        Education is the Key

School:                        Convent Primary School, Moate, Westmeath
Project:                        A Better Future for All the World’s Children

School:                        St.Eunan’s N.S, Rapoe, Donegal
Project:                        Our Actions Have an Impact on the People in Malawi

 The Our World Irish Aid Awards programme is supported by media partner, The Irish Examiner.

 
 17 February, 2011