Steve Sinnott

Steve Sinnott, who sadly died earlier this year, was a passionate advocate for Education for All. During his time as General Secretary of the NUT he was a committed member of the Global Campaign for Education (GCE), which believes that education is the route out of poverty. His family feel that there can be no better way to remember Steve than to ensure that the campaigns that were important to him continue. As a result of donations in memory of Steve, this exciting award scheme has been launched to further the skills of young education campaigners.

The Global Campaign For Education

In the year 2000, as part of the Millennium Development Goals, world leaders promised that every child in the world would complete a quality, primary education by 2015. At this point it was estimated that over 100 million children were missing out on school and many more were dropping out before completing even a primary education. The Global Campaign for Education (GCE) – a coalition of international aid agencies, (including ActionAid, Comic Relief and Oxfam), teachers unions and civil rights groups was formed to remind and hold world leaders to this promise. This network is now active in over 120 countries.

The Scheme

13-16 year–olds in the UK are invited to apply through their school for the Steve Sinnott Award which will give two committed individuals, and their teacher, the amazing opportunity to travel out to a developing country and investigate the barriers to education there. They will meet children, teachers and others, for example union members and politicians, and will hear first-hand the progress and issues on education in that country. On return, the UK young campaigners would be requested to ‘help spread the word’ by speaking at union conferences and to the media. They will have a chance to get involved during the Global Action Week ’09 and initiate their own activities.

For full details and an application form please email karen.garvin@actionaid.org.uk.

Please note the deadline for entries has been extended until 1 December 2008. Shortlisted candidates will be required to do a presentation before the judging panel in central London at midday on 11 December.