7th March 2012
Celebrated British film producer Lord David Puttnam, BBC World Affairs Editor John Simpson CBE, and British historian and broadcaster Simon Schama CBE, are joining forces to help teach youngsters about the 9/11 terror attacks, as they sign up to the judging panel of the 9/11 National Schools Competition.
The 9 11 London Project – the charity behind the 9/11 Education Programme – is launching a new competition today for which UK school pupils between the ages of 14 and 16 are invited to submit an essay or original video content tackling the question, ‘How did 9/11 change the world?’
The six competition finalists, chosen by the esteemed judging panel, will win the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit the 9/11 Memorial site in New York where they will take in the regular sites of New York, as well as places of particular interest and relevance to the 9/11 attacks, including the Tribute WTC Visitor Center.
Of the 9/11 National Schools Competition, Lord David Puttnam says:
“This competition offers young people an incredible opportunity to learn about the events leading up to the 9/11 attacks and the consequences in a truly unique and unforgettable way. I’d encourage all young people to apply.”
The competition is being launched to raise awareness for the 9/11 Education Programme, which was launched in September 2011 to coincide with the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
The new education programme, developed by the 9 11 London Project in partnership with the world-renowned Institute of Education (IOE), provides UK school pupils with a better understanding of the events surrounding 9/11. The programme has been well-received by schools around the UK, with many schools utilising the interactive resources available on the education programme’s website.
The deadline for competition entries is June 1st 2012. There will be one winning video entry and one winning essay entry, along with two runners-up for each category.
Chris Husbands, Director of the IOE and the Chair of the competition’s judging panel, comments:
“The events of 9/11 have helped to shape the world we live in. Understanding the causes and consequences of 9/11 is an essential attribute of an educated person in the twenty-first century. The 9/11 Education Programme tries to help teachers and schools build an understanding of the events and their implications. Children aged 11 starting secondary school last year weren’t even born on 9/11. Educating them about the events surrounding the attacks is of critical importance.”
Peter Rosengard, Founder of the 9 11 London Project, adds:
“It’s impossible to overstate the importance of teaching future generations about the atrocity of 9/11 and what it did to the world, and I'm incredibly heartened to see so many leading figures in education, film and broadcast uniting through the new competition to support the education programme. Through education we can debunk stereotypes and misconceptions relating to the 9/11 attacks, and help to prevent such a tragedy occurring again.”
More information is available at www.911londonproject.com and at www.911educationprogramme.co.uk
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