SOLOMON Ports yesterday held an Arts and Speech Contest to mark this year’s World Environment Day.
Six schools who are part of SIPA’s Green Port initiative and 3-Rs Campaign took part in the contest.
Students delivered inspiring and informative speeches about saving the environment and displayed artworks depicting the plight of Climate Change in the Solomon Islands.
Awards were also given out to the winning students, with parents, fellow students, and teachers in attendance.
This was the first ever for SIPA to conduct such a school competition.
Over two hundred paintings and speeches were submitted by the students of mainly, St John, St Nicholas, Woodford International school, Tamlan, Coronation and Florence Young Christian School.
Staff from the Ministry of Environment, BJS, and Solomon Islands Climate Action Network also gave information sessions during the event to the students on how they can play their part at their level to save the environment.
SIPA Chief Executive Officer, Mr Eranda Kotelawala as the guest of honour for the event, took time to thank schools and students for responding to the Port’s request to take part in the contest and to spread the message of protecting the environment.
He said SIPA as a port is championing the green port initiative in the region and country, is also pleased to extend this initiative to schools, and to ensure children take part in protecting the environment.
“The Message we want to send to all our kids and schools is about how we can play our part and role in saving the environment,” he said.
“It is encouraging to see young kids and students already have good ideas on what is Climate Change and what activities are harming the environment, and I would also encourage all of you to start practicing good waste management techniques at home and in your schools.”
Kotelawala said SIPA is currently working on spreading the message of saving the environment and proper waste management in Honiara and will be extending this to schools in the provinces next.
–SIPA PRESS
