14 Jan Carrickfergus School to Work with House of Lords on Climate Change
Students at Ulidia Integrated College will join forces with a cross-party group of peers scrutinising government policies on climate change and the environment.
The House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Select Committee invited schools and colleges across Britain to bid to join a one-year pilot programme to let youngsters express their views and offer ideas about its work.
The Carrickfergus school is one of six in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland selected from more than 100 which applied to take part.
Committee chair Baroness Parminter plans to visit the school when possible.
Students will join face-to-face virtual meetings with peers to discuss the committee’s work and inquiries, with the opportunity to say what they think the committee should ask government ministers and other witnesses in question-and-answer sessions or should consider as it prepares reports.
Pupils will learn about the work of the committee and the House of Lords with the help of special briefings from Parliament.
Baroness Kate Parminter said:
“It’s great to see so many young people keen to get involved with efforts to combat climate change and protect the natural world.
“We look forward to hearing from and working with the students who’ll help us to do our job of holding the government to account and ensuring that policies meet climate targets.”
Sandra Patterson, Head of Geography said:
“Ulidia Integrated College Geography Department are delighted to have been selected to take part in this exciting programme of youth engagement. Our learners will have a valuable opportunity to engage in political processes which will help them gain both insight into political procedures and valuable transferable skills. We look forward to beginning the pilot programme this month.“