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J8 success praised
03/07/2005
The voice of Scottish schoolchildren will be heard
across the world thanks to the J8 Summit, it was claimed
today.
Senior pupils from Waid Academy in Anstruther and
Wallace High School, Stirling will join students from G8
countries to discuss issues such as climate change and
Africa.
First Minister Jack McConnell said:
"Young people can make a real contribution to the
debates that must take place on climate change and poverty
in Africa. Their voice must be heard the J8 summit which
begins in Edinburgh tomorrow morning will provide an
opportunity to do that.
"J8 is a great chance for schoolchildren from different
countries to form friendships and learn from each other.
This will lead, I hope, to a deeper understanding of why
countries in Africa continue to suffer extreme deprivation
and how prosperous countries such as Scotland can help.
"It is great news that pupils from two Scottish schools
will be taking part in the talks. I have no doubt that the
enthusiasm and ideas of pupils from both schools will make
a huge contribution."
The Summit - known as J8 Edinburgh 2005 - which starts
on Monday, July 4, is a three day forum in which children
aged 13-16 will tell world leaders at the G8 how they want
to change the world for the better. Young people from
schools across the UK and from France, Germany, USA,
Russia, Japan and Italy are taking part.
The two Scottish schools taking part are Waid Academy in
Anstruther and Wallace High in Stirling and each school has
a delegation of up to eight senior pupils.
The young delegates will take part in workshops,
discussions and will hear from speakers including polar
explorer Pen Hadow, climate change expert Dr Emma Tompkins
and Head of the Africa commission Myles Wickstead.
The young people will make recommendations to G8 leaders
through a written Communiqué that will be presented to the
First Minister at a reception in the Scottish Parliament on
Tuesday evening.
The pupils taking part were chosen after producing a
written G8-style Communiqué using their knowledge and
understanding of global issues developed through the J8
Global Citizenship programme. The project was developed by
the Department for Education and Skills and the Morgan
Stanley Foundation.