Press Release 22nd September 2010

London 2012 programme unites young people of Northern Ireland and Jordan through sport.

Ten students from six local schools have visited their partner school in Jordan as part of London 2012’s International Inspiration programme.

The programme is a key strand of the international legacy of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and aims to provide high-quality physical education, sport and play opportunities to children and young people around the world.

As part of International Inspiration, schools in the UK are linked with countries which are part of the programme, giving young people around the world the chance to learn about other cultures and meet other people their age. The schools work together on projects and activities which help to enhance their delivery of PE and sport, and which they then share with others in their local community.

The students were part of a group of 10 young people and four teachers from schools which have a link with a school in Jordan. The visit was organised by the British Council and supported by the Department for Culture, Arts and Leisure.

The schools involved in the visit were Lisneal College, Londonderry, St Mary’s High School, Downpatrick, Belfast Boys’ Model School, Ashfield Boys’ Secondary School, St Patricks’ College, Antrim Road and St Ciaran’s, Ballygawley.

While they were in Jordan the students worked together with students in their link schools to organise and carry out a sports festival for local primary school children.

The visit helped them develop an understanding of each other’s customs and cultures and a positive attitude to difference. It also helped them learn new skills such as: team building, communication, problem solving ICT and creative skills as well as playing and leading sport activities.

Over the course of the visit, the students spent a morning in their link school discovering what school is like for Jordanian pupils of the same age. Now that they have returned to Northern Ireland, they will share their experience with their peers and to the school community.

The accompanying teachers shared good practice with their Jordanian counterparts and now will look at ways in which they can expand the International Inspiration project across the curriculum.

Seb Coe, Chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games said: “It’s fantastic to see that a programme like International Inspiration can help school children learn about different cultures around the world and raise the profile of sport as a powerful tool to inspire young people.”

Northern Ireland Sports Minister, Nelson McCausland, said: "Having the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games taking place so close to our doorstep is a once in a lifetime opportunity. We must ensure that Northern Ireland is fully engaged and derives the many benefits. The International Inspiration programme is one of these benefits. It provides an important opportunity to make a difference to the lives of millions of young people across the world and I am pleased that Northern Ireland is fully involved in the process.”

James from St Patrick's College said: "I have learnt so much from this trip and I can’t wait to tell my classmates and family about it. We realised that we are all the same no matter what country we are from. I will keep in touch with my friends from Jordan and I hope that I will see them again."