Westmeath Pupils Win Top Prize In 'Our World Irish Aid' Competition

Monday, 20 June 2022 15:58

Their powerful project focused on our collective responsibility to make the world a better place.

A Westmeath primary school is celebrating after being awarded the top prize in a long-running competition to promote overseas development and Ireland's place in the world.

St Feichin’s National School, Fore has been named as the winner of the prestigious Our World Irish Aid Wellbeing for People and Planet Award.

5th and 6th class pupils and their teacher Monica Fanning won the award for a powerful project focusing on our collective responsibility to make the world a better place and create a happy, healthy, and safe environment for all the world’s people.

The class created a website to showcase the wealth of work they did this year – right across the curriculum - which included writing raps and slogans and creating wellbeing kits.

The announcement was made by the Minister for Overseas Development and Diaspora, Colm Brophy, at an in-person ceremony in Farmleigh House, Dublin attended by pupils and teachers from 15 schools around the country.

Congratulating St. Feichin’s National School on their success, Minister Brophy said;

“The Our World Irish Aid Awards provide an important opportunity for our young people to learn about the important issues affecting the planet and the people who live on it. They also play a pivotal role in fostering the next generation of changemakers, committed to playing their part – collectively and individually – in helping to achieve the 17 Global Goals and end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity.

“Striving for a more equal, fair and just world is at the heart of the United Nation’s Global Goals and Irish Aid’s work. Creating a fairer world involves focusing on all of the Global Goals and working together in partnership to protect our planet and improve the wellbeing of the people who live on it.

“I am so encouraged by the commitment of teachers and the enthusiasm of pupils. Their willingness to challenge us all to do better for the benefit for everyone is commendable.”