In March 2009, 70 English and French young people took part in the 5th Anglo French Student Conference in London. Over the two-day event the students discussed topics related to “Climate Change and the Media” and learnt how to develop communication strategies so they can play a part in the efforts to limit climate change.
The conference was opened by young climate champions (ICC weblink) who described why they have become passionate for the cause. They encouraged the students from Nottinghamshire and Birmingham and their French partners from Nancy-Metz and Lyon to pick up the baton and make a difference in their schools and local communities.
An ice-breaking workshop, facilitated by holders of Entente Cordiale Bursaries, enabled the 16-18 year-olds to test their knowledge and creativity through a quiz and discussions on causes and inventive solutions around the globe.
Once warmed up, a debate led by Jean Lopez, the chief editor of the French national junior science magazine (Science et Vie Junior) developed their thinking on the role the media has played in informing the public about climate change and other related topics. The climate sceptics were silenced by the evidence provided by their young militant classmates.
Action and communication were the themes for the second day when they had the opportunity to work with We Are What We Do. (WAWWD website), the organisation behind the book “Change the World for a fiver” and the “I am not a plastic bag” campaign. They enthusiastically took up the challenge of designing a campaign advertisement to inspire as many people as possible to follow one simple ripple creating action. The amusing bi-lingual video clips can be seen here.
The Anglo-French Student Conference was organised by the British Council and the French Ministry of Education under the Anglo-French Memorandum of Understanding for Education.
For more information, the programme of the conference, articles and presentations delivered by our keynote speakers are available here:
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