12 February 2008
Hundreds of school children from across the county borough have learned important environmental lessons at a highly successful 5-day "Eco-Challenge" event, which was held from 4th-8th February 2008.
The Eco Challenge promoted sustainable development and global citizenship to both staff and pupils, providing them with a clear message about how they can look after the planet and safeguard it for future generations.
The pupils involved took part in a variety of hands-on practical workshops focussed on a range of "green" subjects such as dealing with waste, transport issues, water preservation, fair-trade, global citizenship, healthy living, energy conservation and environmental education.
Around 450 children, aged 9-10 took part in the Eco Challenge at the Oasis Centre, Blackwood, and the event most certainly was an exciting educational experience for all involved. This was the third Eco Challenge to be run in Caerphilly county borough, enabling approximately 1000 pupils to learn more about such important issues as sustainable development and global citizenship.
The Eco Challenge was a free event, with transport being provided for local schools. Each child participating brought along their own waste-free healthy eating snacks, which they worked on in class prior to the event.
The Eco Challenge event was organised by Caerphilly County Borough Councils' Sustainable Development team in partnership with Keep Wales Tidy and has been funded by CCBC's Beacon Fund. Officers from the local authority and local organisations supported the event by running workshops and helping out at the event itself.
Caerphilly County Borough Councils' cabinet member for the environment, Cllr David Poole said, "Educating young people about important sustainability issues is one of the best ways to improve our environment for future generations. This action-packed event engaged pupils in a way that is both fun and educational, and I hope it will become a regular event in the future."
For further information about the Eco Challenge, contactTracy Evans, Education for Sustainable Development Officer on 01495 235141.
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