VSO seeks world-changing students for new Global Student Prize

International development charity VSO is calling on head teachers to celebrate the inspirational achievements of pupils in their school. VSO President Jonathan Dimbleby has written to primary and secondary schools across the UK inviting them to nominate pupils for the charity’s new Global Student Prize. The prize recognises young people who have helped bring the world into their classroom by highlighting what life is like in the developing world and the issues faced by people living there.

As well as recognising inspirational pupils, VSO’s Global Student Prize aims to spark interest in international development issues among young people. The charity is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and education has played an integral part of the charity’s work since the early days.

Winners of VSO’s Global Student Prize will be invited to London in November as a reward for their efforts. During the day, the winning students will have tea with Department for International Development Government Minister Shahid Malik MP and have a tour of the House of Commons.

Jonathan Dimbleby, VSO President, has seen first hand the importance that young people play in promoting understanding between countries and cultures. He says: “These individuals become ambassadors for internationalism and this could not be more important than now, amongst the backdrop of the global challenges we face.”

Heads can nominate students through the VSO website: www.vso.org.uk/get_involved/globalstudentprize.asp

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For more information, please contact Bevis Man on 0208 780 7265 or email bevis.man@vso.org.uk