SI GB Students become Europorters

Students in the British English International Section took on the rôle of journalists this term to take part in the Europorters competition.

Before beginning their journalistic investigations, the students took part in a role-playing simulation game on decision making in the EU, based on the Chocolate Directive. We visited the Europa Experience in the heart of Paris to learn more about how the EU operates and how citizens can participate.

The students collaborated with the school librarian to look at how journalists find an angle and how to find different sources before deciding on a story to pursue.

The subjects chosen range from sport and language mobility in Europe, the brain drain experienced by some EU countries and pesticide use. Most students chose to use their audiovisual skills to make audio or video reports and one group preferred to write an article.

You can view their journalism here.

Europorters AI

Pesticides Europorters

Erasmus Brexit Europorters

Erasmus+ Sport Europorters

Brain Drain Europorters

To be or not to bee

The impact of bees on our world is invaluable. Thanks to pollination, they have broadened the scope of different flowers and they have developed the most complex societies to facilitate their exploitation of the environment. Indeed, the declining of bee population is an important issue because it could have terrible consequences. To reverse the decline of bee population, the European Union has passed laws and set programs to protect bees.

The EU’s Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 aims to reverse the decline in both the numbers and diversity of bees and other pollinators, forming part of a broader set of commitments and targets aimed at restoring nature within the EU. To meed this aim the EU Biodiversity Platform was established, where working group is dedicated to bees. Additionally, various initiatives under the European Green Deal contribute to addressing the threats facing pollinators.

The initiative has three main objectives: improving knowledge of pollinator decline, improving pollinator conservation and tackling the causes of their decline, mobilising society and promoting strategic cooperation at all levels.

Scientists are already working on the causes of pollinator decline. Findings show that is is due mainly to the reduction of feeding sites and depletion of food resources, climate change and pesticide use. Despite the laws regarding their use in Europe and limiting its use, the beekeeper, Bruno Petit, interviewed at his honey market stall in a train station near Paris, explained that since the laws had been passed, nothing had changed. He was unaware of the laws and he felt that it was the case for many fellow beekeepers.

The program put in place by the European Union is essential, but the actions needed to reverse the damage to bee populations must accelerate. Communication to reverse the decline of bees and other pollinating insects has to reach farmers, beekeepers and gardeners who can act on conservation. Beehave, beelieve and beecome an actor for the future!

Karen McCourt