Students from Largy College in Clones achieved national recognition in the Young Social Innovators of the Year Awards which took place at the Aviva Stadium recently. The group received the High Impact Award for their project entitled 'RACE (Right Attitude Creates Equality)'. The Clones students wanted to raise awareness around the issue of racism and race-based inequality, both globally and in Ireland. By running an education campaign, the team set out to help people understand what racism means, giving them the knowledge to recognise racist speech and behaviour and to call it out. Thirty-seven teams from post primary schools throughout Ireland were selected to take part in a rigorous pitching process in April and the 17 overall and individual category winners including the team from Largy College were announced on stage.
Commenting on the range and high standard of this year's entries for the Young Social Innovators of the Year Awards, CEO of YSI, Roger Warnock, said; "The incredible quality of ideas submitted this year led to a higher number of teams being selected for the final pitches. Each one of them demonstrated the creative thinking, passion and teamwork needed to find impactful solutions to social issues affecting their communities. The support from teachers, parents, families and YSI guides is essential to the successful coordination of these social innovation projects and we're so grateful to them for their ongoing commitment.
"It's wonderful to see so many teams at today's Awards and to recognise their energy and passion. Our partners and judges are as excited and encouraged by the winning projects as the team at YSI and I have no doubt that the future is in safe hands with these incredible young people from Monaghan."
