Students Speak for the Planet
04/03/19
For the first time in New Zealand is an
opportunity for our children to speak for the planet. A
Speak 4 The Planet student competition has been running very
successfully in Australia for the last six years and is
coming to Christchurch this year.
Speak 4 The
Planet is a year 7 to 13 speech and art competition based on
the World Environment Day theme which changes each year,
where the best of Christchurch and Banks Peninsula school
students will have their say in a one day event in early
June. Organised by a partnership between Sustainable
Ōtautahi Christchurch and the local branch of the New
Zealand Association for Environmental Education (NZAEE). It
is supported by SIFT (Sustainable Initiatives Fund Trust) a
charitable trust that funds projects that create or inspire
long-term environmental benefits.
When there is so
much damage done to our living planet articulate,
intelligent young people are starting to speak out clearly.
Greta Thunberg, a now famous sixteen year old student has
powerfully told global leaders that they need to panic and
has chastised adults at both the COP24 climate conference in
December and the World Economic Forum in January. Greta has
now inspired many young people to strike from school across
Europe and the movement is spreading.
What will our
Canterbrian students say? The competition no only provides a
robust opportunity for our local young people to express
themselves but also will be a public event so many more will
hear them. Thunberg’s school strike for climate will come
to Christchurch on March 15th.
“We aim to find
the best students who can articulate their thoughts,
opinions and ideas, celebrate and award them (yes there are
some great prizes) but also then support them to share their
speeches and posters to a wide audience, including public
officials.” says Michelle Whitaker, who is project
managing the event for Sustainable Ōtautahi Christchurch.
“When it comes to the environment and climate change
we’re not that good at listening to the facts or to the
adults, so it’s time to support the young people to have
their say.”
Jocelyn Paprill from NZAEE says “we
really want the schools to get behind the students
involvement, run mini competitions themselves and send the
best to the main event. We supply all the resources and info
they need to take part.”
Already over ten
schools have registered their interest in taking part as
well as some students who are homeschooled. “We’ve got
older student leaders available to mentor participants too.
It’s all about building the confidence and abilities of
young people’, says Papprill who has also been involved in
coordinating events for Seaweek. She also says ‘we have
some really great sustainable/enviro themed prizes too but
welcome further sponsorship of prizes from any businesses
who are eco-minded ”.
There are also some
well-known judges involved. “We’re keeping the prizes
and judges under wrap for now, but they are really good!”
Whitaker says. To register interest contact michelle@sustainablechristchurch.org.nz
and keep up to date on Facebook @sustainablechristchurch.
Final registration day is April 14th, end of term
one.
ENDS