The Global Schools' Awards
Welcome to the Irish Aid Our World Global Schools' Awards
Irish Aid, Department of Foreign Affairs, is the Government of Ireland's programme of assistance to developing countries and was set up in 1974. Ireland's development cooperation policy is an integral part of Ireland's wider foreign policy. Through Irish Aid, the people of Ireland support development work in many countries (?813 million in 2006).
For the past few years Irish Aid has run the Irish Aid Our World Global Schools' Awards programme for all primary schools in both the north and south of Ireland. The overall purpose of the programme is to raise awareness among Irish students of the lives of children of a similar age in the developing world. By taking part in this programme, children can learn how Ireland works with these countries not as providers of charity but as partners for development.
Children are naturally curious about the lives of children in other places. They also have a strong commitment to justice and fairness, and concern for the environment. The Irish Aid Our World Global Schools' Awards programme provides a great opportunity to channel this curiosity and concern for others into practical action. In past years, hundreds of schools and thousands of children - from 3rd to 6th class (RoI) / Years 5 to 7 (NI) - have taken part in this project.
It culminates in an exciting awards day in Dublin where a national panel of judges selects the most impressive entries from schools countrywide. This year once again there will be a fantastic final event held in Dublin, where the most outstanding entries will be invited to attend and receive an award and will find out which school will receive the Irish Aid Our World Global Schools' Awards trophy!
