Sixteen secondary level schools met to exchange business experience and ideas at “Vetrina Scoops 2007”. Students from State, church and private schools took the opportunity to network, learn from each other and come up with innovative ideas for their school cooperatives (Scoops). Scoops, sponsored by HSBC Cares For Children Fund is a Cooperatives Board project.

The guiding theme for students during this event was “Scoops fuels the entrepreneurial engine in secondary school students”. Students worked in groups of three schools each and together as a team analysed a specific topic related to business and cooperatives.

Some of the themes discussed were “Cooperatives are just and fair”; “Teenage Entrepreneurs: Could I be young and successful?” “Co-operatives create jobs” and “You’re the Boss!” Every group then came up with a visual representation of their discussion. This took the form of a banner which students then presented to and described to the guests later on during the event.

The entrepreneurial spirit of the students was also well evidenced by the catering service provided for the event by Scoop members from Vincenzo Borg Brared Secondary School, who provided healthy snacks for all guests, which went down very well.

Distinguished guests at the event included the Minister for Education, the Hon. Louis Galea, the Parliamentary Secretary for Small Businesses, the Hon. Edwin Vassallo, the Opposition Spokesperson for Cooperatives, the Hon. Joe Abela and Opposition Spokesperson for Education, the Hon. Carmelo Abela.

“Vetrina Scoops” took place at Reggie Miller Foundation, Workers Memorial Building, Valletta. The Scoops Event Sponsor is the Central Cooperatives Fund. The official Scoops website is sponsored by Keyworld.