Global Passport

The Extra Curricular Stamp

4. National Post-Primary Initiatives with GCE focus

National Post – Primary Initiatives with a GCE focus can offer a fantastic structured approach to running GCE activities. Ideally as many learners and teachers are involved in at least one of the GCE initiatives and a cross-curricular approach is taken in developing the project.

Below are some resources and practical school examples to guide you through implementing this stamp category:

Examples of GCE Initiatives:

Young Social Innovators

Young Social Innovators (YSI) is an action programme that encourages, motivates and creates new opportunities for young people to actively participate in the world around them.

YSI have a specific One World Challenge. It calls on students to take action to build global justice solidarity and equality in the world. Students are encouraged to undertake projects on a range of categories such as Emigration; Environment / Climate Justice, Human Rights, Equality, Immigration; Inclusion / Integration and Sustainable Development / One World/ Global Issues. WorldWise Global Schools advise students to get involved in this great challenge! For more details click here:

BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition

The BT Young Scientist Awards is a competition which encourages students to undertake innovative science projects.

The ‘Science for Development Award’ is of particular relevance for GCE as it calls for research projects that address global challenges; ensure local to global links; and provide a global context for tackling the chosen development issue. Past projects have explored nutrition, climate change, sustainable agriculture, gender inequality, diseases of poverty, maternal and child mortality, providing clean water and sustainable energy.

ECO-UNESCO’s Young Environmentalist Awards

ECO-UNESCO’s Young Environmentalist Awards (YEA) is an all-Ireland awards programme that recognises and rewards young people who raise awareness and take action on environmental issues. The Awards have a ‘Local to Global’ Award for projects which show exemplary commitment to raising awareness of global justice and sustainability issues.

The Concern Debates

The Concern debates offer students the opportunity to research and debate global justice issues. Through this process they build valuable skills in researching and debating. The competition runs annually and there is a handbook to support teachers, students and adjudicators in the process.

Practical School Examples:

Ballinrobe Community School, Mayo

“We have a debating club in the school open to all pupils. This year we took part in the Concern Debates and all involved really enjoyed the experience. We researched and debated topics such as Sustainable Development, Climate Change, HIV and Aids and lowering the Voting Age. Members also took part in a local Drugs Task Force Public Speaking event, organised by South Mayo Taskforce. Between now and the summer holidays, the club plans to hold a debating competition for 1st and 2nd years, with TYs and 5th years acting as mentors.  Also the school has entered teams into BT Young Scientist Competition”. Citizens Global Passport Award Winner 2016

Presentation College Carlow

YSI joint DE projects with our Zambian Partner School include projects on HIV/AIDS in Ireland and Zambia, Gender Equality in the Global South (Zambia) and in the Global North (Ireland). SOLIDARITY NOT CHARITY: Developing and sustaining equitable Partnerships. Special Global Passport Award Winner 2016

Coláiste Pobail Setanta, Dublin

“TY Students engage in YSI each year- this involves a core teacher who facilitates the programme while linking in with other departments e.g. Music Department, English Department, ICT Department. Students from all year groups can opt to get involved in BT Young Scientists with the Science Department. Any staff or students could also opt to get involved with the Yellow Flag initiative- this has since been awarded to our school. Greenschools is run by a team of 4 teachers and a group of students from various year groups. It relies on the support of other staff to help with the smooth running of events. The Geography department entered a project on Food Miles into the One Good Idea Competition recently.” Citizens Global Passport Award Winner 2015