World Development Conference

On Friday 29th April, a group of QES 6th formers met with 30 other students from the region, to try and get to grips with some of the complex issues surrounding world development, ranging from water privatisation in the third world, to patents for HIV treatment, to the price of bananas in Tescos.

The event was the South Lakeland World Development Conference, and was run by volunteers from the WDM (World Development Movement, NOT weapons of mass destruction as one student suggested!). ITV Border Television were around, taking footage that was later shown on Border News as part of a report on progress since the G8 summit last year. Tim Farron our local M.P. also “popped in” to congratulate our efforts and to take advantage of the fantastic lunch supplied by a local farm shop and cafe, Low Sizergh Barn.

Throughout the day, we sunk our teeth into some “lively” debates, took part in role-play activities, attended workshops and listened to some really interesting and inspiring speakers from the WDM.

To close the conference, we decided on the future action we’d take to keep world development on the local and national agendas. Ideas included holding a Trade Justice Day festival in Kendal (watch this space), keeping in touch via an Internet message board, and writing to MPs.

All in all, everyone left the conference feeling refreshed, and eager to play their part in world development; no one had a bad word to say about the day!

In fact, the only downside was that lots more students really wanted to come along, but felt they were too busy with exams. I think that next year the conference will be held around October time, which will be fantastic because hopefully this means more students will be able to benefit from getting involved in such a positive occasion!

Sally Murray
Queen Elizabeth School, Kirkby Lonsdale