Events – Speaking 4 the Planet https://speaking4theplanet.org.au an Arts-based approach to sustainability Mon, 11 Nov 2024 02:03:08 +0000 en-AU hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.5 https://i0.wp.com/speaking4theplanet.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/cropped-48x48-S4P-Icon.png?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 Events – Speaking 4 the Planet https://speaking4theplanet.org.au 32 32 117838204 City of Parramatta S4P online competition https://speaking4theplanet.org.au/city-of-parramatta-s4p-online-competition/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=city-of-parramatta-s4p-online-competition Mon, 19 Aug 2024 06:45:57 +0000 https://speaking4theplanet.org.au/?p=2292 City of Parramatta S4P online competition

(Updated Nov 2024) Result!!! RESULT City of Parramatta S4P online competition – Speaking 4 the Planet

Trees sustain life. Trees sustain civilizations!   

Wherever we live in this country – near the coast, along rivers, in mountains or in cities like Parramatta – we have valuable trees and bushland. Trees are a part of our lives. And they matter. Trees sustain life. Trees sustain civilizations. 

If you are a high school student in Parramatta, join this speaking competition.

Information Package

Click here to read Information Package: Link.

It contains information on the topic, links to resources, and explanation and judging criteria for each category. Be sure to visit council’s website for information on such things as bushland management, canopy cover, tree replacement policies… 

Submission Portal

Click here to get to the Submission Portal: Link.

Closing date

25 October 2024.

Anthony’s words on his experience for S4P in 2023
Ashwini Aravinthan talks about S4P experience.
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Kids 4 Planet 2024: Listening 2 the Planet https://speaking4theplanet.org.au/kids-4-planet-2024-listening-2-the-planet/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=kids-4-planet-2024-listening-2-the-planet Wed, 26 Jun 2024 08:09:20 +0000 https://speaking4theplanet.org.au/?p=2333 Kids 4 Planet 2024: Listening 2 the Planet

Trees are sanctuaries.

Whoever knows how to speak to them,

whoever knows how to listen to them,

can learn the truth.

Hermann Karl Hesse, (1877-1962)

The 2024 Kids 4 the Planet competition at Lakemba PS is entitled, Listening 2 the Planet.  It takes place on Thursday 27 June.

In this Stage 3 competition, students will compete in 5 categories:

  1. Speaking
  2. Writing
  3. Art
  4. Video
  5. STEM

Read the Support Package: Here

Here’s a video by the K4P Ambassador, Minh Khue.  She is an 8 year-old student from Ba Dinh Primary School in Ha Noi, Viet Nam.

“Be courageous as you listen, as you act”, by Minh Khue, K4P Ambassador.
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RESULT: UGANDA competition, 2024 https://speaking4theplanet.org.au/result-uganda-competition-2024/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=result-uganda-competition-2024 Wed, 22 May 2024 04:11:26 +0000 https://speaking4theplanet.org.au/?p=2297 RESULT: UGANDA competition, 2024

On Saturday 13 April 2024, St Mark’s College, Namagoma, Uganda (www.stmark.sc.ug), hosted the first-ever Speaking 4 the Planet competition in Africa. The college invited participation through its many clubs, and the competition theme was, Use your philosophy as a club to address environmental challenges. 

by St. Mark’s College Namagoma.

Students aged 12-20 participated. Participation was free.

11 clubs participated with over 200 participants from all clubs. They set up interactive booths and displays to showcase their activities. Every participant received a certificate of participation and the outstanding participants got golden medals.

Clubs ranged from academic – Debate & Writers, ICT, Maths, Entrepreneurship, Swahili (EAC) and Science – to creative – Art, Cultural – to community service – Wildlife, Interact, Red Cross, Patriotism.

Each participating club presented four items:

• Junior speaker (12-15yrs old): Maximum time 4 minutes 

• Senior speaker (16-20yrs old): Maximum time 4 minutes

• Art:  One person speaks for maximum 1minute about the artwork. 

• One other item chosen from Drama, Dance, Poetry: Maximum time 4 minutes.

The winning club was the Science Club. The club was awarded a Goat. Every club received a certificate of participation as a club. 

Students and teachers alike engaged in hands-on activities, demonstrations, and performances such as tree planting, art & crafts, knitting, recycling, making tangible items like dust bins from dumped bottles, and others.

As a result of this successful event, the school’s Director proposed that May 1st (Labor day) of every year be Clubs Day.

“Environmental sustainability is not just a moral obligation, but an economic imperative. The health of our planet is crucial for the well-being of our businesses and communities.”

Wildlife Club

“We must recognize the intrinsic value of nature and take action to preserve it for future generations. Sustainability is not a choice, it’s a necessity.”

EAC club
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Uganda S4P 2024 https://speaking4theplanet.org.au/uganda-s4p-2024/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=uganda-s4p-2024 Wed, 27 Mar 2024 01:40:49 +0000 https://speaking4theplanet.org.au/?p=2223 Speaking 4 the Planet

St. Mark’s College

Namagoma, Uganda

____________________________________

13 April 2024

USE YOUR PHILOSOPHY AS A CLUB TO ADDRESS ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES

Support Package link is HERE

St Mark’s College, Namagoma, will host the first-ever Speaking 4 the Planet competition in Uganda. The first ever in Africa!

The theme for the speaking competition is USE YOUR PHILOSOPHY AS A CLUB TO ADDRESS ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES.

 Students will participate through their clubs. Each participating club will present four items:

  1. Junior speaker (12-15yrs old) Maximum time 4minutes
  2. Senior speaker (16-20yrs old) Maximum time 4minutes
  3. Art.  One person speaks for maximum 1minute about the artwork. 
  4. One other item chosen from Drama, Dance, Poetry. Maximum time 4minutes.

Bruno Muyunga is taking the lead in making this event happen – the First Speaking 4 the Planet competition in Africa happen! He is an environmental activist and one of the school’s IT specialists. He says, 

It has always been my passion to protect the environment since I grew up seeing the natural environment. Now, sadly, it’s becoming damaged and many species are becoming extinct.

Educators, now, must take up the challenge to help children learn about the conservation of the environment.

While attending the 12th World Environmental Education Congress in Abu Dhabi earlier this yearI realized that St Mark’s College Namagoma can make a difference. I can make a difference. And everyone in our school can be a part of a sustainability journey.  Inspired by what I saw and learned at the 12th WEEC, I have decided to embark on carrying out education and awareness sessions to sensitize people about the natural environment and its contributions to humanity – which I think many people do not know about. I want to help nurture a young generation that can conserve the natural environment.

With support from

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Listening 2 the Planet – 2024 https://speaking4theplanet.org.au/listening-2-the-planet-2024/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=listening-2-the-planet-2024 Wed, 06 Mar 2024 10:42:37 +0000 https://speaking4theplanet.org.au/?p=2199 Australia, Kids 4 Planet, 2024.

This year, the K4P competition asks participants to listen. To listen and hear. To hear and act. To the Earth. The Earth that provides clean air and water, good soils, and a climate that is habitable for all species. 

This year, students are asked to

  • speak
  • or write
  • or draw
  • or make videos
  • or do a STEM activity

that shows the importance of listening. How to do it well. And what they hear… when they listen closely. 

Event Details

  • Venue: Lakemba Public School
  • Date: 27 June 2024

This event invites a handful of local schools in the immediate vicinity of Lakemba PS.  If you are in a different area – anywhere in Australia – and you want to host or participate in such an event, please contact Phil on phil@speaking4theplanet.org.au

Poster

Package link

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Journey to a Greener Future – 2024 https://speaking4theplanet.org.au/journey-to-a-greener-future/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=journey-to-a-greener-future Wed, 06 Mar 2024 10:29:24 +0000 https://speaking4theplanet.org.au/?p=2193 Australia, 3 Councils competition, 2024.

Climate Action Burwood Canada Bay is taking the lead in bringing this 2024 S4P competition to the high schools of Burwood, Canada Bay and Strathfield local government areas.  The event will take place on Wednesday 5 June at Domremy College, Five Dock. The topic for the competition is Journey to a Greener FutureAll entries and performances must be based on this topic.

This year, there are 5 categories in this competition: 

  1. Speaking 
  2. Writing 
  3. Visual Arts 
  4. Digital Art
  5. Drama 

Registration is essential.

Given the number of schools across the three LGAs, only nine schools can enter for the speaking and five schools for the drama categories. All schools can enter the art and writing categories.  

Schools must register by contacting Robin at footprintscabcb@gmail.com

See this information package for more details. It contains:

  • Information on each competition category. 
  • The judging criteria. 
  • Links to relevant resources. 
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Trees, the Guardians of Life – 2024 https://speaking4theplanet.org.au/trees-guardians-of-life-2024/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=trees-guardians-of-life-2024 Sun, 18 Feb 2024 05:05:43 +0000 https://speaking4theplanet.org.au/?p=1990 National Speaking 4 the Planet 2024 

Trees, the Guardians of Life

Join the 2024 national online S4P competition. The topic is Trees, the Guardians of Life. 

UPDATED: Deadline for submission is changed to 26 July 2024.

This change is as necessary because of the interest.


Trees, the Guardians of Life

  • Support package: click on HERE.

Trees sustain life. Trees sustain civilizations!   

From the blue beaches to its red centre, Australia is blessed with diverse and unique woodlands, rainforests and bushland. It has 130 million hectares of forests – about 17% of its land area.  

Australia has some of the worst rates of deforestation in the world – comparable to Indonesia and Brazil.

  • Over 73% of deforestation is for beef production. Trees are bulldozed, invasive grasses are planted and cattle are brought in. 
  • From 2016-2021, over 2.2 million hectares of forest and bushland was bulldozed in Queensland alone.
  • The majority of beef sold in Australia ends up sold at Woolworths, Coles, McDonalds and Hungry Jacks. 
  • Today, just 50% of Australia’s original forests and bushland remain intact.

From GreenPeace.org.au

Wherever we live in this country – near the coast, along rivers, in mountains or on plains – we have valuable trees and bushland. Trees are a part of our lives. And they matter. From the northern tropical regions down through sub-tropical regions to temperate zones, we have trees everywhere. They are a part of our lives. And they matter. Trees sustain life. Trees sustain civilizations. 

This topic is linked to Sustainable Development Goal 15 – Life on Land

All councils in Australia are invited to participate. And there are two ways you can take part in this competition.

One – register to support the online competition. In this way, all youth aged 12 – 18 in your LGA can participate.  Note that teachers are also invited to participate in this online competition!

…or…

Two – hold a live event in your LGA for your schools. 

Please read this flier.

To register or discuss the possibility of a live event, please contact Phil at phil@speaking4theplanet.org.au

Prizes 

Once again, Paddy Pallin, a competition partner, will provide very practical items for first place in each category.

This year, we have decided to add a monetary element to the prizes.  In addition to the item from Paddy Pallin, first place winners will receive $100. Second place winners will receive $100.

Submission Link

Submit your work here: SUBMISSION FORM

Closing date 

The closing date will be Friday, 26 JULY, 2024.

Winners will be announced on the S4P website on National Tree Day, Sunday, 31 August 2024. 

Here’s Support Package 

You can read the Trees, the Guardians of Life package HERE.

It contains information on the topic, links to resources, and explanation and judging criteria for each category. Be sure to contact your local council and visit its website for information on such things as bushland management, canopy cover, tree replacement policies… 

Anthony’s words on his experience for S4P in 2023
Ashwini Aravinthan talks about S4P experience.

List of registered Councils

Council
1. Ku-ring-gai Council
2. Liverpool City Council
3. Sutherland Shire (courtesy of Sutherland Shire Environment Centre)
4. Byron Shire Council
5. Frankston City Council
6. Tweed Shire Council
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A wild S4P event ever with nearly 300 participants in Cat Tien, Vietnam https://speaking4theplanet.org.au/a-wild-s4p-event-ever-with-nearly-300-participants-in-cat-tien-vietnam/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=a-wild-s4p-event-ever-with-nearly-300-participants-in-cat-tien-vietnam Fri, 26 Jan 2024 03:39:08 +0000 https://speaking4theplanet.org.au/?p=2016 On Sunday 21 January 2024, 36 competitors and 250 supporters, coming from 9 high schools of 3 provinces in the South of Vietnam – Dong Nai, Lam Dong, and Binh Phuoc, participated in the first live S4P competition in Vietnam – a huge S4P event ever at Cat Tien National Park.

The topic was Speaking for those species that cannot Speak. Students participated in teams of 4 and in 4 different categories: speaking, drama, art, and writing.

Broadcast about this S4P event on VTV – Vietnam Television.

Vu Thi Bao Quynh, a student, said: “Due to the high profit, and personal benefits, the human being keeps being emotionless and does not care for the painfulness and exhaustion of the naive victims. Chasing the monetary benefits, human beings do not know that poaching wildlife is the first step to make their natural habitats deducing and destroyed, to destroy ecology, and that leads to consequences such as natural disasters, earthquakes, forest burning, etc. Then human beings themselves have to suffer the consequences they create by themselves. Eventually, they are their own victims.”

First place drawing of Ton Duc Thang school.

Thang Le, the artist, is one of the judges and he commented on the first prize: “Participants from Ton Duc Thang Highschool are very skillful in drawing, have good skills in arrangement and construction of the drawing elements. The content of the drawing shows their messages – let’s stop poaching, and trading naive wild animals before too late. Let’s together protect them, love them, and create a peaceful planet for human beings and wild animals“.

There were team awards and prizes for the best in each category.

  • The First Team Award belongs to Ton Duc Thang High School.
  • The Second Team Award belongs to Da Teh High School.
  • The Third Team Award belongs to Thong Nhat High School.
  • Doan Ket High School got the Best Slogan prize.
  • Cat Tien High School got the Best Speech prize.
  • Da Teh High School got the Best Drama Performance prize.
  • Ton Duc Thang High School got the Best Artwork prize. To get this amazing artwork idea, 29 classes in the school had joined in the inner competition in their school and had chosen the best work for the official competition with other schools.

Mr. Nguyen Van Binh, Principal of Ton Duc Thang Highschool, said he hoped that the S4P competition would be organized annually in Cat Tien so all schools would get a chance to connect, learn, and share knowledge related to wildlife conservation all together.

S4P congratulates CTNP for the very professional way in which the competition was planned and conducted. A very high-quality event. Hard-working staff. Thanks to all the sponsors for their generous support: USAID, WWF, Bellalove Foundation, Save Vietnam’s Wildlife, HDBank, and Mernard.

The event was written on popular newspapers and national media.

The students speak for the wildlife on Saigon Tiep Thi Học sinh lên tiếng vì động vật hoang dã (sgtiepthi.vn)

Speak for species who are unable to speak, on Nong Nghiep.vn Giới trẻ lên tiếng: Nói thay những loài không thể nói (nongnghiep.vn)

Ton Duc Thang Highschool students draw artwork about condemning illegal wildlife trade, on Law and Life online magazine, Học sinh trường THPT Tôn Đức Thắng vẽ tranh lên án hành vi buôn bán động vật hoang dã trái phép (luatvadoisong.vn)

Thank you all, students, teachers, schools, the Cat Tien National Park, and sponsors for creating such a successful S4P event!

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