Two Banbridge pupils will swap school textbooks for reporters’ notebooks next week — as they head off to the G8 Summit in Germany (6-8 June 2007).
Monday 4 June 2007
The 14 year olds - from Banbridge High School - have been accredited as journalists and given the opportunity to work alongside the 1,500-strong international media corps.
Sharon-Louise Trimble and Philip White will travel to the Summit with their Year 10 teacher, Pearl Johnston, where they will meet up with the team from Save the Children. The organisation nominated them to attend the event and will be working with them during their three-day trip. The two students were selected for their active involvement with The Global Campaign for Education.
Philip said: "I am interested in politics as a career and so am really looking forward to taking an active part in this event. The eight countries attending the Summit represent about 65% of the world's economy - so this is a powerful group which could really make a positive impact on what's happening in the world.
"Two years ago, world leaders were given a huge global mandate to make poverty history. Public pressure led them to make some big promises - to increase aid and cancel many poor countries' debts. I believe that they must deliver on their promises and take decisive action against poverty and climate catastrophe."
Sharon-Louise said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for us. We hope to talk to some of the leaders attending G8 and we will also be sending stories through to our local newspapers. First News, the new national newspaper for children has asked us to write an article when we return from Germany. And we will be writing our own blog each day."
In the run-up to the Summit, Philip and Sharon-Louise also took part in the The World Can't Wait rally in London on Saturday, 2 June. They joined thousands of other children and campaigners who are calling on all the G8 leaders to follow through on the pledges made as a result of the 2005 MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY campaign.