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Children’s Environmental Parliament

Children’s Environmental Parliament 2023

London Children have their say on green issues at the Children’s Environmental Parliament

Children from ten primary schools in Kensington and Chelsea and Hammersmith and Fulham had their say on green issues for the 20th Children’s Environmental Parliament. Approximately 80 Year 6 children (10 – 11 years) took part in the event at Kensington Town Hall on 22nd March. Two elected speakers from each school made presentations on their chosen topics, covering environmental and local issues.

The children researched their topics with our help and we arranged for students to meet relevant council officers, community groups and other environmental organisations.

At the Children’s Environmental Parliament, the students gave their presentations on topics such as food waste, air quality and local biodiversity, in the council chamber, before taking part in a feedback session with each other.

 

Please see below for the full list of participating schools and their topics:

  • All Saints – River Thames: It’s Alive!
  • The London Oratory Junior House – Improving Biodiversity in the School Grounds
  • Old Oak – Operation Food Waste
  • Oratory – Local Food, Global Good
  • St Barnabas & St Phillips – SPEAK Up for Clean Air
  • St Clements & St James – Save our Streets
  • St. Francis of Assisi – Our Future Neighbourhood
  • St John’s Walham Green – Conscious Fashionistas
  • St Mary’s – Warning, Warning, Global Warming!
  • Thomas’s Academy – The Recycling Detectives

Judging of the competition is conducted by a panel and awards are in three categories: presentation skills, research and environmental action. A further special award is made by the children themselves. Award winners received special framed certificates and a book for their school. The 2023 special awards winners for their outstanding project work were:

Children’s Award: Oratory Primary

Presentation Award: St. John’s Walham Green

Research Award: Old Oak

Environmental Action Award: Thomas’s Academy

The event was chaired by Anca Giurgiu, Climate Change Manager at Kensington and Chelsea Council and the judges were: Jane Robinson (Principal Lead Advisor, RBKC Children’s Services), Phoebe Shaw Stewart (LBHF Ecology Lead) and Jordana Smith (Trustee of Urbanwise.London).

 

Cllr Catherine Faulks, lead member for Children’s Services at Kensington and Chelsea Council said “Meeting our ambition of being a carbon neutral council by 2030 and carbon neutral borough by 2040 will be a whole community effort so it’s brilliant to hear from so many impassioned young voices on issues that affect us all, from climate change to air pollution to green spaces. We’re investing in boosting green skills so that more children have a fair opportunity to turn these passions into careers in the green jobs of the future.”
Diana Edgecombe, Hammersmith and Fulham School Improvements Special Projects Manager said "‘We at H&F are so honoured to be associated with the Children’s Environmental Parliament and the fabulous team at Urbanwise.London. Since its inception 20 years ago, this flagship environmental project has gone from strength to strength, with many amazing supporters along the way. Our H&F Teachers and pupils are incredibly committed to working towards improving our natural world and saving our planet, and over the last few years have created the most innovative and exciting Environmental projects - they are truly inspirational and we are so proud of them all!"

Moya O’Hara, Director of Urbanwise.London, said “The event gives children the opportunity to have their say on local and global issues and to present their own ideas and solutions to decision makers.”

You can watch videos from the Children’s Environmental Parliament day here (long version):

And here (shorter version):

 

Thanks

 

Children’s Environmental Parliament

Every year in the spring term Year 6 classes work with us on Children’s Environmental  Parliament projects, helping their schools take action on an important local environmental issue. The project is  key in providing climate change education to year 6 children. Topics  include recycling, food waste, sustainable travel, plastic pollution, air pollution and food miles. Projects, involving exciting site visits and interviews, real research and school campaigns.

Students are prepared  for making their end of project presentations at the Council chamber at Kensington Town Hall or Hammersmith Town Hall to their peers and invited guests.

The project is supported by LB Hammersmith and Fulham and  RB Kensington and Chelsea and the feedback from students is very positive!

Below are photos and feedback from the Children’s Environmental Parliament 2022, thanks to all schools, partner and supporters.

" I really enjoyed finding out about how we can help Wormwood Scrubs, talking with the climate change team and doing our own research"  Year 6 student Old Oak Primary school
" We visited the market and talked to the market manager who told us how Portobello Road is recovering from covid. We can all help by doing our shopping there. It's nearby - you don't have to drive and that helps the planet too!" Year 6 student, Colville Primary school.