8 Jun 2011
Welsh pupils have won two INTERNATIONAL awards for the Young Reporters for the Environment programme which recognises the ability to present an environmental issue in an appealing and easy-to-read format.
The Welsh winners faced stiff competition from 22 other countries but managed to come first place in two out of the eight subject categories. Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Llangynwyd in Bridgend won the Biodiversity category (joint with Canada) with ‘Otters under the bridge’ and Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle in Gwynedd won the Coastline category with ‘Is pollution damaging our coastline?’.
Young Reporters for the Environment is an international programme, sponsored by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), which operates in 23 countries throughout the world and is managed in Wales by Keep Wales Tidy and part-funded by Countryside Council for Wales. Secondary school pupils are invited to investigate a local environmental issue, produce a journalistic report or photograph and then report on their findings.
The programme provides pupils with a vision of the professional world of journalism and may inspire them to pursue this as a career. Pupils base their project on one of eight topics, which include: Coastline, Cities, Agriculture and Nature, Climate Change, and Biodiversity.
Selected by representatives from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP); United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO); European Environment Agency (EEA); International Institute for Industrial and Environmental Economics (IIEEE); and the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), a total of nine articles and five photographs were awarded.
The budding journalists will be presented with their awards at the Royal Welsh Show in July alongside national winners Glyncoed Comprehensive School in Blaenau Gwent whose article ‘Biodiversity or not biodiversity?’ came first place in the Welsh awards.
Petr Daniš, FEE Executive Board Member and Chair of the YRE International Jury, said:
"It’s inspiring to see the results of students connecting with the environment by investigating a local issue and presenting it to the wider community to create positive change."
Chief Executive of Keep Wales Tidy, Lesley Jones, said:
"Young Reporters for the Environment celebrates talented young people who express a passion for protecting our planet. I am delighted that our young reporters in Wales have been recognised internationally. The winning articles are an inspiration to us all as we work together to achieve a sustainable future."
Click here for more information on the programme.