Crossing Continents is a 3 way linking project between Nigeria, Egypt and the UK. Activities carried out by young people under this project include the exchange of audio and video tapes and questions and answers between the young people in the various countries. The main focus is on citizenship and human rights education as a means to creating mutual understanding and respect between the young persons.

There have been 2 video conferences between the 3 countries with the most recent being between Nigeria and the UK in February 4, 2005. The Nigerian students and even the teachers in attendance really enjoyed the video conferences and marvelled at the ability to speak to a TV screen.

Some of the students couldn’t help but observe;  

“It is really amazing that we can be talking to the TV screen as if the other person is in the same room with us.” – Yemi.

“It looks like the UK students are very happy to see us.” – Demola

“It was a very confusing thing for me because I was scared when they started asking me questions and answering. But then, I was happy to be talking to them directly.” - Aisha

Abuja Great Debate 2005

As part of activities for the Crossing Continents project, we are organising the Abuja Great Youth Debate which is modelled after the Scunthorpe Great Youth Debate in York.

Last year in May 2004, 2 Nigerian teachers went to York to the Frederick Gough College and were able to meet and speak with the teachers and students involved in the project in the UK. A follow up visit was made by the teachers from the Frederick Gough College to Nigeria in October 2004 to determine if the Scunthorpe Great Youth Debate could be used as a model for Nigeria.

That visit and subsequent meetings and training with the teachers and students in Nigeria has culminated into the Abuja Great Youth Debate which came up on 17 March 2005 at the auditorium of Merit House in Abuja - Nigeria. The Minister for Women Affairs and Youth development of Nigeria, Obong(Mrs) Rita Akpan attended the programme and delivered a welcome address. The 4 pilot schools in Abuja will be participating in the debate while 10 other schools are being invited to send in student representatives to participate.  

Due to popular demand for the project, we are exploring the possibility of making the Great Youth debate a yearly event. There will be another video conference between the Frederick Gough College and the Nigerian students to exchange ideas about their respective Youth debates which are happening within the same week span in both countries.

Contact info.kano@ng.britishcouncil.org for details