Clondalkin National School Winners of the Irish Aid Our World Global Schools’ Award 2008

At a very special gathering in Farmleigh House in the Phoenix Park, today, the Minister of State for Overseas Development, Michael Kitt T.D. announced Clonburris National School, Clondalkin, Dublin as the overall winners of the Irish Aid Our World Global Schools’ Award 2008.

Ten primary schools from across Ireland were honoured at the Awards Ceremony for their projects, which this year focused on the theme of poverty in developing countries. The winning entry from Clonburris National School, entitled ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’, was researched and created by three eleven year-old pupils from the Clondalkin school – Israel Olanipekun and Lonre Sosan both from Nigeria and Shamil Ataev, from Chechnya. Their colourful, one hundred-page project, focused on child labour in the gold mines of Burkina Faso in West Africa. Speaking at the Awards, Minister of State Kitt said:
“I am delighted with the level of school participation in the Irish Aid Our World Global Schools' Award this year. We received over 1500 projects from schools around Ireland.

It is heartening to see the level of interest young people have in learning about, and from, the lives of children like themselves in the developing world. I hope that the pupils and teachers participation in the Irish Aid Our World Global Schools’ Awards programme will encourage a life long interest in development issues."

The Awards were hosted by popular RTE ‘Den TV’ presenter, Robert Ross. Over one hundred teachers and pupils attended the ceremony and lunch in Farmleigh House, where more than twenty projects were on display. The ceremony came to close with music from African guitarist and singer Niwel Tsumbu.

Note to editors:
Now in its third year, the Irish Aid Our World Global Schools’ Awards programme offers an engaging and creative way for younger people to gain an insight and understanding into issues in developing countries. Open to pupils in 3rd through 6th classes in the Republic and in 4th through 7th form in Northern Ireland, this year saw over 1,500 projects submitted. The enthusiasm and dedication of the schools and individual teachers involved is at the very core of the programme. The work they undertake with their pupils fosters a greater understanding of global issues.

The Irish Aid Our World Global Schools’ Awards programme stems from the eight Millennium Developmental Goals, which were agreed in September 2000 by Ireland and 188 other countries in the United Nations. 

Awards were presented as follows:

Irish Aid Our World Global Schools’ Award 2007
School    Clonburris NS, Clondalkin, Dublin 22
Project   The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Junior Category Awards
School    St Manchan's NS, Convent Hill, Mohill, Co. Leitrim
Project   Ghana and Fair Trade

School    St Manchan’s NS, Convent Hill, Mohill, Co. Leitrim
Project   Haiti
 
School    Le Cheile NS, Mornington Rd, Drogheda, Co. Louth
Project   Advert – A day in the life of Elma

School    St Patrick’s Boys National School, Lombard St, Galway
Project   Operation School

School   Castleknock NS, Main St, Castleknock, Dublin 15
Project   Powerful Poverty
Senior   Category Awards
School   Scoil Naomh Brid, Ballyconnell, Co. Cavan
Project   Our World
 
School   St Josephs NS, Chapel Hill, Macroom, Co. Cork
Project   Equality

School   St. Rynagh’s NS, Main St, Banagher, Co. Offaly
Project   Realise & React
 
School   Scoil Barra, Inishmore, Ballincollig, Co. Cork
Project   Madagascar
 
School   Waterford Educate Together NS, Morrissons Ave, Tycor, Waterford
Project   A Chance, A Hope

ENDS + + +
Press
26/2/08