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Scots pupils to attend junior world summit
13/06/2005
Pupils from Stirling and Fife have been chosen to attend
a junior world summit ahead of the G8 gathering at the
Gleneagles Hotel next month.
Wallace High School in Stirling and Waid Academy in
Anstruther were among eight UK schools which won a
competition to attend the event, known as J8.
J8 will take place in Edinburgh from July 3-6, on the
eve of the G8 summit, and as well as being attended by
pupils from other UK schools will involve young people from
France, Germany, USA, Russia, Japan, Italy and Canada.
It will address the two issues being tackled by world
leaders at the G8 summit - Africa and climate change. Those
attending will draw up a communiqué telling the G8 leaders
how they should change the world for the better.
Education Minister Peter Peacock said:
"The number and quality of entries to the J8 competition
shows just how passionate young people are about global
issues.
"The competition was fierce and just eight schools from
across the UK were eventually chosen. Those attending J8
now have a once in a lifetime opportunity to tell the G8
leaders exactly what kind of world they want their
generation to inherit.
"G8 is a unique and exciting opportunity for Scotland.
It gives us the chance to showcase our modern, dynamic
country to the world. Equally J8 is a chance for our young
people to show their international peers just why they are
so proud of Scotland."
Wallace High School's headteacher Linda Horsburgh
said:
"I am delighted that Wallace High pupils will be among
those attending such a prestigious event. We are all very
excited at being one of the two schools representing
Scotland on this international stage.
"Those pupils involved in the J8 competition worked
extremely hard to present a strong well presented document
asking for positive action on global issues. As
representatives of young Scots, their values, sense of
global citizenship and maturity argue well for the
future."
Iain Duncan, headteacher at Waid Academy, said:
"We are all very excited at the success of our J8 team
in winning one of the eight places awarded to schools
across the UK. Our pupils put in a great deal of work, and
even sacrificed a day of their Easter holiday to work on
their project.
"Young people have passionate views on the G8 summit and
the opportunities it provides to address the current crisis
in Africa. The competition inspired our pupils, who are
really looking forward to participating in the
conference."
J8 Edinburgh 2005 gives 14 to 16 year olds the
opportunity to address some of the most important issues
facing the world today.
Eight schools were chosen to attend J8 following a
competition open to schools across the UK. Pupils were
asked to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of
global issues by producing a G8-style communiqué on one of
the two G8 topics - Africa or climate change. Judges from
across the UK selected the eight winning entries.
The timetable for J8 Edinburgh 2005 is as follows:
- Sunday July 3: Delegates arrive in
Edinburgh for dinner and welcome ceremony at Edinburgh
Castle.
- Monday July 4: Daytime summit
activities with specialist guest speakers followed by
Highland Games and BBQ.
- Tuesday July 5: Daytime summit
activities to finish J8 communiqué then closing
ceremony at the Scottish Parliament where the
communiqué will be handed to the First Minister.
- Wednesday July 6: Farewell breakfast
and return home.
For further information on J8 go to
www.j8changetheworld.com