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School children lead by example

14 March 2008

Uganda’s president commends environmental initiatives undertaken by pupils from the UK

President Yoweri Museveni has commended young people across the Commonwealth for initiating projects that are helping to fight environmental degradation in their communities.

He made these remarks while speaking to school children at an event organised by the Commonwealth Secretariat on 11 March 2008, at Marlborough House in London.

Pupils from two London schools – Alexandra School Sydenham and St George’s School Hanover – as well as Woodheys School in Manchester were invited to the event as part of a week-long calendar of activities to celebrate Commonwealth Week.

Mr Museveni, who was accompanied by Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon, thanked the children for leading by example in preserving the environment by repairing, recycling and re-using. He said that these environmental practices should be extensively promoted in the Commonwealth.

“Your actions in favour of the environment come to remind us – the adult population – of the damage [we cause] to the environment,” Mr Museveni told the pupils, who listened attentively to his speech. He also asked the school children questions relating to the environment, such as “What is a glacier?”

President Museveni, who is the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) Chairperson-in-Office, urged the children to be vigilant about the environment and to keep reminding adults of their duty to future generations.

“It is unfair for the present generation to endanger the environment as this will endanger the future. You must tell them that,” he said.

He highlighted the Lake Victoria Commonwealth Climate Change Action Plan as having the potential to help member countries reverse the negative impact of climate change.

The Plan, which is one of the key outcomes of the 2007 CHOGM, held in Uganda, spells out the ways in which the Commonwealth can strengthen the participation of developing member countries in international negotiations on climate change.

At one point during the event, 15 pupils from Woodheys School made a presentation explaining their environmental work. They described the colourful displays about global warming, energy conservation and local wildlife projects they are involved with.

These pupils design stickers which appear all over the school’s doors and walls, reminding staff and students how they can make a difference in simple ways. A team of student eco-monitors ensure that electronic equipment and lights are switched off, water is not wasted and as much as possible is recycled.