On the 4th of November the Politics and IR programme hosted over fifty students from local schools, Chatham and Clarendon Grammar School, Kent College, and St George’s Church of England School Thanet as part of the ESRC festival of social science.  The theme for the day was ‘Greening the Change: the politics of sustainability’ and the goal was for our staff members to work with the students to raise awareness of these issues.

Following expert lectures on the topics of Energy Security and Genetically Modified Foods, the students broke up into groups where they worked with our Lecturers and undergraduate students to come up with their own policy ideas on how to build a sustainable future for Britain.

After they came up with these ideas they engaged in a question and answers debate with our academics on the controversial topics of securing Britain’s energy future, fracking, and allowing further genetically modified foods into Britain.  After this discussion students presented their policy proposals on the viability of GM foods, the ideal energy mix for Britain and forward planning for engaging viably with sustainable development.

It was  a very stimulating day and it was extremely pleasing to see so many young people engage with great passion and intelligence on such an important, yet all too rarely discussed topic.  The hosting of an ESRC event in collaboration with local schools has become an important part of the calendar for the Politics and IR programme here at CCCU and we look forward to many more in the future.