By Mabinty M. Kamara
As part of the commemoration of the Europe week 2021 , the EU delegation in Sierra Leone and other EU member state representatives in the country have engaged schools in communities visited as they toured under the “EU and me road show”.
The engagement according to the EU Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Tom Vens was to have a frank discussion with the children on how they could support the EU work in Sierra Leone and how they intend individually as young people to contribute to the development and growth of Sierra Leone.
Speaking to the pupils at the Peninsula Senior Secondary School in Waterloo, Ambassador Vens said the purpose of the EU week is to celebrate the existence of the EU and their partnership with other countries around the world. Explaining the history leading to the formation of the European Union, he said the European continent was faced with two devastating wars; World War 1 and 2 but for unity and togetherness, they would not have been where they are today.
He noted that the biggest challenge facing the world today is climate change and global warming. He encouraged the children whom he referred to as the future not to be limited in their thinking on how they should shape the future of the African continent and the future of Sierra Leone.
“If we all cooperate and work together, it would be better for all of us both in Europe and the rest of the world. What we are faced with today as a global community is climate change and the environment. And I am so happy that all of you took an active part in thinking about what all of us can do to tackle this very big problem. So don’t under estimate it because this is not just for the big organizations or the big countries but we all have an individual role to protect our environment and our climate,” he said.
He added: “The other reason why I’m extremely happy to be here is because you are the future. We are still playing our parts but you are the future. You should not be limited in your thinking on how you can contribute to shaping the future of your country and of your continent. We are here to listen to your voices as they are very important.”
Speaking at the event, the German Ambassador to Sierra Leone Horst Gruner said his country which is part of the European Union has had 60 years of successful relationship with Sierra Leone. He noted education, health, agriculture and technical and vocational education as the building blocks for the development of every nation.
He therefore encouraged the children not to neglect agriculture and technical education even as they aspire to be lawyers, doctors and accountants.
The commemoration of the Europe week according to officials started on Monday 3rd May to 10th May 2021, during which the team moved from Freetown, Port Loko, Makeni, Kenema and Bo to know how the EU partners with the Government of Sierra Leone to support Sierra Leone’s vision for its future, and sharing of information.
Speaking at the Peninsula Senior Secondary school and the Methodist Girls High School on Monday 10th May, the EU consultant for the ‘EU and me Road Show’, Memuna Fornah, explained the impacts of the EU projects and how they have contributed to boost agriculture, improve learning environment and livelihoods, facilitate travel and commerce, support the inclusion of women and young people and protect survivors of sex and gender-based violence in Sierra Leone.
She cited one Aminata Kamara who contested an election in Konta Bana community in Marampa Chiefdom, Port Loko district and succeeded against the odds, to become the community’s first Deputy Headwoman, a position second to that of the Village Head.
And another woman who for so long had been deprived of access to her family land because of her sex but later got her inheritance after she took steps to demand that which belongs to her.
This was to inspire the girls to not lay back but to speak out as they will be counted.
At both Schools, the pupils asked the visiting delegation questions relating to the EU relations in Sierra Leone and also had discussions on how they as Sierra Leonean children want to contribute in shaping the current reality of their communities and Sierra Leone.
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