The third annual Anglo-French student conference took place at the beginning of March in Paris in a buzz of activity and enthusiasm. Pupils from French and English schools were working in teams to achieve common goals.

Who were the participants?
Seventy two 6th form pupils from twelve different schools joined forces under the banner of “Make Poverty History” for two days of discussion, team work and creativity to design a fundraising campaign for the homeless.

What was the theme of the project?
The work began in the classroom in defining the role of ‘volunteering’ in society, and designing a product to promote their charitable cause. Ideas were imaginative: - a scarf for the homeless and a drinks bracelet that tells you your limit - incorporating both a social conscience and marketing savvy!

What kind of activities took place?
At the conference, three workshop sessions focussed on the development of these ideas, from creating a business plan and marketing strategy, to producing promotional materials (flyers, posters) and working out the best ways to engage the local community in the project.

What were the outcomes?
Through team-work and much debate, pupils developed not only their language ability but also their initiative, their entrepreneurial skills and notions of active citizenship.

All pupils received a special certificate and presented their projects to a round table of experts for feedback:

• Grant Young, Achievers International
• Rob Walker, BBC Sport Journalist and African Links Coordinator
• Andrea Boothman, Camden Enterprise and Business Partnership
• Thierry Delanoe, Envie d’agir, Ministère de la jeunesse et des sports
• André Letowski, Observatoire des pratiques pédagogiques en entrepreneuriat

How were the participating schools selected for this project ?
All twelve schools were selected on the basis of having no previous links internationally, but the hope is this event will encourage students and teachers to sign up to a joint curriculum project in 2006-2007 which can be funded under the Anglo-French Education Agreement.

Already Chelmsford School for Girls, and the Lycée Claude Monet and Lycée professionnel de Tolbiac de Reliure have signed up for a partnership on the theme of sustainable development.

How could I learn more about this project?
You can read more about Joint Curriculum projects and Anglo-French education partnerships on the British Council corporate site:  http://www.britishcouncil.org/learning-school-partnerships-france.htm