19 Nov International Visitors come to Ulidia to be Inspired
Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful were delighted and honoured to be chosen by the Foundation for Environmental Education to host the prestigious international Eco-Schools National Operators conference. The Eco-Schools programme runs in 60 countries around the world, with Australia and Switzerland the newest members, and is the world’s largest environmental education programme with over 15 million pupils engaged globally. In NI the programme is operated by environmental charity Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, supported by the Department of the Environment, and was established here in 1994 when the programme was first launched.
During the three day conference, based in Belfast from 12th – 14th November, the international delegates shared good practice and discussed the on-going development of Eco-Schools for the benefit of young people and our environment globally. Guests also visited Ulidia Integrated College, Carrickfergus; to see and be inspired by their good practice.
During the visit to Ulidia the international visitors were treated to a presentation by the eco team about progress in key areas of focus including waste, transportation, energy, and global perspective. The group of 30 international visitors then toured the school to meet the learners and to see first-hand why Ulidia Integrated College is an Ambassador for Eco Schools Northern Ireland.
Mark H Durkan, Minister of the Environment, whose department supports the Eco-Schools programme in Northern Ireland, said: “It is wonderful to see such a prestigious event being hosted here in Belfast. It is an acknowledgement of our own local Eco-Schools successes that we have been chosen to host this conference. One hundred percent of schools here are Eco Schools.
“I am proud to be able to support both the Eco-Schools programme and this year’s National Operators conference. The Eco-Schools programme has been responsible for introducing hundreds of thousands of our pupils to environmental values and sustainable behaviour. Adopting these ideas is essential if we are to successfully confront today’s environmental challenges.”
