The Right Focus is a programme run by Trócaire to support students and teachers to use documentary film making as a way of taking action on important global issues. Our TY students participated in this programme during Module 1 of Development Education. We decided to do this so that we could delve deeper into the Sustainable Development Goals. Four specific goals were chosen, Goals 1, 4, 14 and 15.
Each group of students (4 groups) chose one SDG to focus on. One of the aims of this project was to allow students to gain a deeper level of understanding of their chosen issue, how it affects people locally and globally and, through the development of their documentary films, raise awareness of this issue and brainstorm on how to take action with their peers.
In order to qualify to submit your documentary, you had to research the goal, compile your research, be creative in the presentation of your research and interview someone who had involvement in that particular area of your goal. We submitted three documentaries for SDGs 4, 14 and 15.
One of our groups (Chloe Shovlin, Biba Dwyer, Lauren Mealia and Chloe Byrne) was selected and qualified for the People’s Choice Awards, which was held in the Lighthouse Theatre in Smithfield, Dublin 7 on Wednesday May 18th, 2022.
They had focused on SDG 15 “Life on Land”, and they researched Deforestation and Reforestation. They interviewed Tom Roche from Just Forests which is a non-profit organisation in Ireland highlighting sustainable education development, Sustainable Forest Management and responsible timber sourcing. Tom Roche began his journey by asking a simple question. Where do we get the wood to make our furniture?
His company Just Forests is committed to responsible management and conservation of the world’s forests as a means of poverty alleviation through development education. His insight helped our students to gain a deeper understanding of responsible timber sourcing and how to become sustainable with our forests.
Although the girls did not win the award, they created awareness about deforestation and reforestation not only in HCK but amongst all the schools nominated for the awards. They have gained valuable experience in interviewing, and they have used their IT skills creatively considering they had to interview Tom Roche over Zoom. Congratulations to all the students, and especially those who were chosen to represent HCK at such an amazing event hosted by Trócaire.
Ms Byrne