The Young Reporters for the Environment programme gives students the opportunity to research and comment on environment issues and shows how their mature and practical concerns will prove valuable in the future. The Malta Independent on Sunday asked Audrey Gauci, the National Coordinator, of the YRE programme how this project has developed.
How long has Malta been involved in YRE and how did it become involved?
YRE is one of the five programmes run by FEE (Foundation for Environmental Education) and represented locally by Nature Trust Malta. It was first introduced internationally in 1994 and what started off as a European programme quickly infused to international level. To date there are 29 participating countries and the number is increasing each year.
Nature Trust Malta first introduced the FEE programmes in 2002, through the EkoSkola programme. Blue Flag followed in 2005, while YRE was introduced in 2007. LEAF (2011) and Green Key (2013) were later introduced, making NTM one of the counties to be implementing all the 5 programmes.
The aims of YRE is to empower young people to take a stand on environmental issues they feel strongly about and to give them a platform to articulate these issues through the media of writing, photography or video. It is aimed mainly at secondary and post-secondary students, and can be integrated directly in the curriculum.
What were the original reactions of students and teachers to the organization?
Nature Trust Malta has a high profile with schools. The EkoSkola programme is now implemented in 70% of schools representing 80% of the total student population in the Maltese islands. YRE was taken willingly by the pilot schools, and was looked at mainly as a good opportunity to provide an opportunity for students when ESD (Education for sustainable development) was not present in schools. Nowadays it is being directly integrated with the curriculum and gives more credit to the students' work.
Internationally, the programme is exclusively for secondary and post-secondary. However in Malta, Nature Trust started receiving complaints from the primary schools that they are being excluded and wanted to be integrated. Since YRE is a brand name, it was not possible to direct it to the primary schools without permission, so it was introduced under the name of Press Kids. The number of participating primary schools is now on the increase and we hope to introduce it internationally in the near future.
How many schools in Malta and Gozo took part in the first projects and how many are taking part as of this year?
YRE started off as a pilot project with five secondary schools. Today there are 33 participating schools, including primary schools through the Press Kids programme. Occasionally there are also individual students who participate independently (not through a school). These are mainly ex YRE students who take journalism with a passion and want to participate even though their school is not involved.
How do students choose the topics they are going to report on?
It all depends on how the programme is presented in schools. When integrated with specific subjects (such as European Studies, Environmental studies, Geography, Biology, etc) students keep to the themes allowed in the subject. When integrated with general subjects, such as English language, the themes are endless. When taken voluntarily, they simply choose to report on situations they deem worth reporting on; and where action needs to be taken. There are also situations where students report on events taking place, such as the CHOGM event in Malta. What is clearly applicable in all situations is that they should report on themes that interest them - otherwise their reportage would be flat and uninteresting. The medium they choose (article writing, video or photography) is also up to their choice.
Have you received any comments from the judges that indicate how entries from Maltese students compare with those of other countries?
As part of the programme, students participate in a competition, where the best entries from each category (11-14 years, 15-18 years and 19-21 years) are selected and sent abroad to compete internationally. Out of the eight participating years, Malta managed to get international awards six times. Some of the awards included the Super Award (best out of all entries) and first-placed internationally. One particular photo entry was also enlarged and placed in a prominent position during a UNESCO meeting. This all shows the high standard achieved by our students.
What benefits have students gained from taking part in YRE and can you give some quotes or short comments from some students to illustrate what it has meant to them to be participants in this extremely important enterprise?
The aim of the programme is to bring about change. Apart from raising awareness, and doing research on possible solutions, there have been instances where actual change took place. An area full of rubbish was cleaned after the students reported on it; a dumped car was removed from the countryside; a road sign was removed from the water bed. However this is not all. The overall experience is providing an opportunity to both students and teachers to voice their concerns and make themselves heard. Here are some of their comments:-
Teachers
Clearly the YRE group is offering opportunities to our students to play an active part in putting the values of the school community into practice (St Ignatius College Middle School, Ħandaq)
YRE is giving the students amazing opportunities. (St Ignatius College Middle School, Ħandaq)
Students
The People's Forum was a very interesting event, where a lot of different and recent topics were discussed including, how to make our society resilient, global warming as well as the 'Orange the World campaign', a campaign favouring women's' rights. We were also given the unique chance of interviewing guests and asking for their opinions. I still remember what one of them told me; "Don't believe politicians because they are politicians. Believe yourself because you found out for yourself."And that left a big effect on me. (Jeanine Scerri, St Monica School, Gżira)
Our secondary education has been a great adventure for us and the exciting moments came about when we took the initiative. Now we have become active 'Young Reporters for the Environment'. We encourage other junior students to overcome their initial shyness and take the plunge by taking the initiative and speaking their mind in favour of the environment. This can be done through the various school projects as that of YRE that may come their way. (Lenard Camilleri and Kurt Micallef, St Margaret College Secondary School, Verdala)
Participating in the YRE programme
Participation in the programme does not only include submitting reports. Schools are given support throughout the year. Workshops on photography, videography and article writing are available on request. Organised environmental missions, including help with interviews, are also provided. National events, such as the EkoSkola Parliament, Children's summit, Audits in workplaces and LEAF activities are all reported by YRE students. This year YRE students had the opportunity to attend the CHOGM and interview VIPs such as Dr Vandana Shiva. Occasionally, students are also provided with opportunities to go abroad and meet other reporters.
The YRE programme needs constant financial support in order to keep on going. Special thanks go to the Ministry of Education and Employment, the Ministry for Sustainable Development, the Environment and Climate Change, and the Parliamentary Secretary for rights of persons with disability and active ageing for their financial help.
The HSBC Water programme provides support through visits and nine awards, of €100 each, for the best entries focused on water. WasteServ is awarding five prizes of €100 each for the best entries focused on Waste. EDIC Gozo is also awarding Gozitan participants with pen-drives and tablets for reports on migration. WER (We Eat Responsibly) is also awarding those reporting on sustainable food consumption. Support is also provided from MEPs from both parties.
Nature Trust Malta recognizes all efforts and awards trophies to best entries and certificates to all participants. International winners are also awarded attractive prizes.
Schools/students who wish to participate in the YRE programme are to contact Audrey Gauci, the National Coordinator, on [email protected] or on 79295424