Young People Speak Out on Environmental and Sustainability Issues

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is delighted to announce the winners of the Environmental Youth Speak Competition 2024 which took place on Thursday 21 March in the Downshire Civic Centre.

This annual competition organised by the Council’s Sustainability team aims to encourage debate on sustainability issues to empower the next generation to become environmental leaders.

The event saw twelve talented pupils from local schools present their environmentally themed speeches to a panel of judges. Pupils submitted their speeches online initially and the top eight primary school pupils and four secondary pupils were selected to perform their speeches in person at the final.

The judges were very impressed by how thought-provoking and informative the speeches were with each participant demonstrating a deep understanding of the importance of their topic. Primary school pupils spoke on the topic “I’m an Energy Detective and I’ve been busy investigating how to save Energy. Here’s what I found”, while Secondary schools were asked to speak on “How do we feed the world without destroying the planet”.  

After listening to all of the speeches the judging panel chose Josie Hughes from Grange Primary School, Kilkeel as the Junior champion and Lily-Ann O’Loughlin from Our lady’s Grammar School, Newry as the Senior champion.

Runners up in the junior section were Aaron Taylor from Drumlins Integrated Primary School, Ballynahinch and Natasha O’Connor from St Mary’s Primary School, Killyleagh. Runners up in the senior section were Akshara Sawant from Sacred Heart Gramar School, Newry and Catherine Ogle from St Joseph’s High School, Crossmaglen.

Highly commended were Ethan Miller from St Louis Grammar School, Kilkeel, Dáire McGrotty from Annsborough Integrated Primary School; Cara Trainor from Sacred Heart Primary School, Dundrum; Myla Chigariro from St Malachy’s Primary School, Castlewellan; Ellen Strain from St Malachy’s Primary School, Camlough and Lily Rose McAlinden from St Bronagh’s Primary School, Rostrevor.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Valerie Harte said, “The aim of the Council’s Environmental Youth Speak Competition is to encourage environmental awareness among young people by providing them with an opportunity to research, debate and understand particular environmental themes thoroughly. Combating climate change and protecting the environment is an important role for everyone and it is encouraging to hear pupils talk so passionately about energy saving techniques and sustainable food production.

Cllr Harte continued, “I would like to thank all the schools and students who took part in the competition this year. Empowering the next generation to speak out is a hugely important part of effective global climate action.”

All participants received a commemorative certificate, voucher, goodie bag and a bag of New Leaf compost for taking part.