12-13th October 2006 : International Student Climate Change Conference, Villiers High School

Villiers High School in Southall, West London, held their third International Student Conference this month on the topic of Climate Change and Global Warming.

This two-day event was supported by the British Council International School Award and brought together 300 delegates and guests, including students aged 14-16 yrs from as far afield as Slovakia, the Czech Republic and India, as well as from various corners of the UK.

Villiers High School is the only school in the UK running an innovative, action based event like this, and delivers the message that young people really do have the power and the passion to make a difference in the world. Focused on positive change, the conference explored the three areas of cause, effect and, most importantly, solution. This is their third international conference, last year's theme being "Making a Difference: Making it Happen. Last year's students identified and discussed topics ranging from clean water shortages in developing countries, racism in sport and the influence of the media.

Highlights included keynote speeches from the Secretary of State for Climate Change and the Environment, Mr Ian Pearson M.P., Executive Director of Friends of the Earth, Tony Juniper and Dr Andrew Sentance from the Bank of England.

The event kicked off with the first of three performances, specially composed for the conference, in which the students of Villiers High School expressed their views on climate change through music and drama. The message from this first performance- "Wakey Wakey"- rang out loud and clear and was visibly endorsed by the blimp which hovered above the school for the duration of the conference.

10 subject specific workshops ran over the 2 days focusing on the theme, run by workshop leaders and creative helpers who helped to add a creative dimension to the projects and campaigns. Brainstorming and factfinding sessions were supported by delegates from leading environmental NGOs Down 2 Earth, Greenpeace and Campaign against Climate Change.

The art department’s workshop divided into three teams, each team representing, via body art, one of the following: cause, effect or solution. Other workshops constructed an environmental life size board game, an environmental fashion show etc. The conference ended with performances and presentations from the different workshops.