Diana opens unique event for students in Hull

2.00.00pm GMT Sat 15th Nov 2008

Over 200 students from 16 colleges in the North East of England took part in a unique event at the University of Hull's Staff House on 14 November. Young people from colleges in the norVIC Federation, came together to deliberate and debate a diverse range of challenging world issues including environmental sustainability, human rights and the recent unprecedented global financial crisis.

The conference was opened by the Liberal Democrat MEP for Yorkshire & the Humber, Diana Wallis, who addressed the students, offering them her own perspective on some of the issues that they will be debating during the day. Ms. Wallis, a Vice-President of the European Parliament, said ahead of the event; "Given the current challenges facing us, either financial or in terms of climate change, there could be no better time for students to come together to debate these issues and I look forward to a good discussion with them."

Delegates enjoyed a unique opportunity to address international issues and consider the complexity of challenges facing the members of the United Nations.

Clive Wilson, Deputy Principal of Franklin College in Grimsby who initiated the event said, "I believe it is important for us as intelligent people to make conceptual links between global issues and local issues: to provide opportunities for people of all ages to examine their own attitudes and values; to understand the global context for their own lives and to develop the skills to play a positive and active part in both their local and the global community. Previously students have found this experience to be invaluable in terms of their learning and development. It is an extremely rewarding day for all involved."