Celebrating 20 years of Eco-Schools SINCE 1994 SINCE 2004 SINCE 2012 SINCE Highlights 2013 1992 2000 Eco-Schools is developed in response TIDY Northern Ireland (now to needs identified at the United Nations Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful), (UN) Conference on Environment and the National Operator of Eco-Schools, is Development also known as the Rio established as an independent charity. Summit or the Earth Summit. 2003 1994 Eco-Schools is identified by the United Eco-Schools is launched in Denmark, Nations Environment Programme as 2009 Germany, Greece and the United Kingdom a model initiative for Education for The Eco-Schools Cookstown Textile SINCE Recyclers Cash for Clobber above 2013 with the support of the European Sustainable Development. SINCE and the Translink Travel Challenge2012 SINCE Commission. above right Campaigns2004 are launched. 2004 SINCE 10 years after its launch Eco-Schools has 1994 2010 reached 4.4 million students; 233,533 The Foundation for Environmental teachers; 12,640 schools worldwide. Education (FEE), the international umbrella organisation for Eco-Schools, formalises 2008 its connection with UNESCO through The inaugural Eco-Schools Celebration an “NGO in official relations with event recognising the work of Eco-Schools in Northern Ireland takes UNESCO” partnership. place at the Braid, Ballymena. Below 2010 The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) announces Northern Ireland as one of the countries selected to participate in the Wrigley Company Foundation Litter Less Campaign. To date 130 ‘Litter Less’ campaigns have been implemented in Northern Ireland’s schools. 2010 1994 Trócaire develops ‘Go Green Go Global’ Northern Ireland becomes the first Eco-Schools resources to support schools country in the world to award a Green with the Global Perspective topic and have Flag to one of its schools. This was Downpatrick Nursery on 15 June 1994. continued to support the topic ever since. Above SINCE 2013 SINCE 2012 SINCE 2004 SINCE 1994 2011 2012 2014 Eco-Schools International The Foundation for Environmental Education TIDY Northern Ireland rebrands to signs a MoU with Earth (FEE) launches the first ever ‘Eco-Schools Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful. Charter, an ethical framework World Days of Action’ to showcase the The new name better reflects all aspects of for living in peace within a impact young people around the world our work and sets a positive message for the sustainable world. are making through Eco-Schools. Schools many young people engaged through in Northern Ireland participate in an SSE Eco-Schools for their future lives. 2011 Airtricity Operation Energy Power Down Day on the 7th November. Airtricity (now SSE Airtricity) boosts Eco- Schools by becoming the principal sponsor as part 2013 of their commitment to Pupils present their findings on the sustainable education in impacts of climate change at an Eco- Northern Irish schools Schools Climate Change Summit at SINCE and have supported the Parliament Buildings, Stormont. 2013 programme ever since. Right SINCE 2012 SINCE 2004 2013 SINCE 1994 Ulidia Integrated College, Carrickfergus and 2014 Fairview Primary School, Ballyclare achieve The first ever cross-border Green Flag zero waste to landfill as part of a WRAP Awards Ceremony takes place. The event, Rethink Waste Project, delivered through organised by An Taisce, National Operator Eco-Schools in partnership with Bryson of Green-Schools in the Republic of Ireland, SINCE SINCE SINCE Charitable Group takes place in Letterkenny. Three Northern 1994 2004 2012 SINCE 2013 Irish schools join sixty schools from 2013 Donegal to receive their prestigious 155 schools participate in SSE Airtricity’s Green Flags. Minister for the Environment, Operation Energy Power Down Day using Mark H. Durkan, presents Green Flags to an average of 20% less energy on the day. all the schools in attendance. 2013 SINCE 1994 2014 318 schools participate in European Week SINCE 2011 2004 Two NorthernSINCE Irish Primary Schools, Holy The Young Reporters for the Environment for Waste Reduction helping Northern 2012 Cross in Atticall and Cumran inSINCE Clough, win Programme is launched supporting post- Ireland achieve 2nd place in the international 2013 joint first place in the international World primary pupils to investigate and report rankings. Days of Action competition for their energy on local environmental issues saving efforts as part of SSE Airtricity’s annual Power Down Day. 2012 2014 An Eco-Schools Celebration Event takes place at the Canal Court Hotel, Newry. 20 years on the programme has expanded The event is attended by the President to over 15 million students; 1.2 million of FEE, Mr Jan Eriksen, along with the teachers and 45,000 schools in 59 countries International Eco-Schools Coordinator, around the world. Mr Bernard Holland. Right I am incredibly proud to see Over the past 20 years the Eco-Schools the Eco-Schools programme programme has played an integral part reach its 20 year milestone in supporting our schools to foster and to see so many schools environmental awareness and practice in already involved and the entire school in a way that links to benefitting so highly from many curriculum subjects. I am greatly their involvement in such inspired to see 100% of all schools are a prestigious international now involved in the programme. Now, programme. I look forward to seeing our schools continuing on their Eco-Schools journey, As Minister for the Environment, I am to achieving the highly respected Green delighted that my Department has Flag and positively contributing to the local supported the programme over the years. environment on the way. I believe passionately that this work with Our rich natural and built environment, Mark H. Durkan MLA schools and our young people is vital not clean water and heritage lie at the heart of Minister of the Environment only for the local environment and wider our lives and are central to our economy community in the here and now, but for and jobs. The environment belongs to generations to come. I have seen first-hand everyone and to safeguard its future how our young people care deeply about everyone needs to be involved in its environmental issues and wish to make a protection and enhancement. Eco-Schools positive change in the environment around are a central component in achieving this. them and I am greatly encouraged by their My gratitude and congratulations go out commitment to their Eco-Schools work, to everyone involved in Eco-Schools and which I know they will carry on throughout it is with great hope that I look forward to their lives. I also never cease to be amazed the continued success of the programme by the dedicated teachers who pass their and to ensuring on-going support for our eco-passion on to successive pupils. schools to continue on their long-term aim of reducing environmental impact. ECO-SCHOOLS 20th ANNIVERSARY Keep Northern Ireland of the European Commission. Beautiful is delighted to Eco-Schools today has over give you this special little 15 million school students participating book to celebrate the 20th in over 50 countries covering every anniversary of Eco-Schools. continent bar Antarctica. So this year is a very special year, but Being a student led programme it is a it is made even more special by one book full of the wonder, dreams and single fact. Downpatrick Nursery was achievements of our young people, but the first ever school to be awarded the also a testament to the dedication of our prestigious Green Flag. It is still flying the teachers who have willingly taken on the flag 20 years later making it the oldest extra work involved. Being awarded the Green Flag school in the world. Green Flag is no walk in the park but it is worth it: nearly every school here is now Enjoy the book, keep achieving and working towards that accolade! yes, fly the flag with pride! The growth of this programme, here in Northern Ireland and globally, reflects the success of the model and its ease of applicability within various education structures and curricula. Dr. Ian Humphreys Eco-Schools was launched in 1994 CEO, Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful in Denmark, Germany, Greece and the United Kingdom with the support ECO-SCHOOLS 20th ANNIVERSARY 1 Frank Mitchell with Fairview Primary School, Ballyclare, Eco-Committee pupils Luke McDowell and Emilie Montgomery Right Josh Bradley Principal sponsors of Eco-Schools SSE Airtricity Frank Mitchell At SSE Airtricity, we’re proud to Eco-Schools Ambassador have helped Eco-Schools set the UTV and U105 presenter sustainable agenda throughout As Eco-Schools Ambassador I am classrooms over the last four years. delighted to celebrate with Eco- When you enter any school across Schools on their 20th Anniversary. Northern Ireland, the popularity of Eco-Schools is a wonderful the programme amongst pupils and programme of great value in teachers alike is clear to see, and one educating our young people about that we at SSE Airtricity have taken the importance of looking after the real inspiration from. Through the likes environment and living sustainably. of Power Down Day and the Global The school pupils are so full of energy Wind Awards, schools have embraced and ideas that it is inspiring to be energy saving and started to make working with them. Appreciation must real changes around how they monitor also go to the teachers who make this and control energy usage. programme such a success through their dedication and guidance. Eco- Schools is growing in strength every Pupils of Gillygooley Primary year and the young people are leading School, Omagh, with their teacher Miss McFarland visit SSE Airtricity’s the way and expecting high standards Bessy Bell Wind Farm. Above from us adults too. I forecast a brightening environmental future for us all. 2 ECO-SCHOOLS 20th ANNIVERSARY Bríd Conneely visit to Taughmonagh Primary School, Belfast, 2012.