Driving change: 2021 Cornwall Schools’ Eco-Conference

We are in the middle of a major re-alignment of values. Young activists like Greta Thunberg, and the millions of people they inspire, are campaigning aggressively to bring about political and social change in order to help save our planet. The mobilisation of young people is one of the strongest catalysts to force politicians to understand that things have to change. Cornwall’s Schools’ Eco-Conference, an event spearheaded by Brannel School, a member of the CELT family, is focused on providing an opportunity for school councils and student eco-committees to unite and take actions – small and big – to build a future that is greener, cleaner and fairer.

With 30 schools in attendance from across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, the virtual event was timed to coincide with the G7 summit and brought together current and future changemakers from across the world to discuss the global climate crisis and climate justice priorities.

With the ethos ‘think global, act local’, the aim was to motivate young people and provide them with the tools to act as changemakers.  Guest speakers and panellists – including student mentors from Exeter University, Hugo Tagholm from Surfers Against Sewage, Dr Kelly Haynes of the Environment Agency and Bertie Herrtage from Crowdfunder (to name just a few!) – were invited to inspire the student delegates with their changemaker stories.

The students and their eco lead teachers were then challenged to come up with strategies for change that they could take back and deliver in their own schools and communities – ensuring that real change was delivered as a result of the conference. We’re really excited to see the initiatives that come out of the conference across our CELT academies – as well as looking at changes we can make at our offices to support a more sustainable and eco-conscious future.

For more details on the priorities and themes that came from the 2021 Cornwall Schools’ Eco-Conference, please watch:

To find out more about the wider Cornwall Green Schools initiative, please visit: https://cornwallgreenschools.co.uk/