Northern Ireland pupils learn about global issues

04 February 2010

Pupils from Northern Ireland today met UK Minister for International Development, Mike Foster, to talk about how links to schools in developing countries are helping them learn about global issues that affect us all.

St Joseph’s College on Ravenhill Road Belfast – one of the latest schools to join up to the Global School Partnerships programme – hosted the visit which included pupils and teachers from Glenlola Collegiate, Bangor.

Glenlola have been involved in the Global School Partnerships scheme since 2008. A joint project with their partner school in Ghana showed that climate change was having a direct impact on the fishing industries in both countries.

Mike Foster, Minister for International Development said:

"The Global School Partnership is a great way for children to learn more about the world they live in and the issues affecting their future. Today I saw at first hand how education links between schools throughout the world make global issues relevant and interesting for young people. Now we want more schools to join up and become global citizens by bringing the world into their classroom."

Oonagh Byers, who heads up St Joseph’s partnership scheme said:

“Through the Global Schools Partnerships programme, we are delighted at having the opportunity to strengthen our links with the world, and in particular with Phembe School in Malawi.  We relish the opportunity to learn and share from those from very different cultures to ourselves.  We look forward to establishing a long lasting partnership with our Malawian counterparts.” 

Read the full press release.