Students attending the seven schools that make up the St Ignatius College network have provided a stark reminder of the urgent need for climate action through a thought-provoking exhibition at the House of Representatives in Valletta.
Titled, ESD for ESG, the first-of-its-kind exhibition at the Parliament building includes works focusing on environmental, social and governance issues and offers a reality check on the current climate crisis. The artworks revolved around seven of the 17 UNESCO goals for sustainable development.
A total of 160 students from across the seven schools took part in the initiative which saw the young artists produce 70 works, ranging from traditional drawing and painting to three-dimensional models.
The exhibition was organised by St Ignatius College Head of College Network Doreen Said Pace, with the support of the college’s senior leadership team and in collaboration with the Art Department, Directorate for Learning and Assessment Programmes and the HSBC Malta Foundation.
Strategically placed inside Parliament, the exhibition serves as a reminder for lawmakers about the younger generation’s desire for a clean and prosperous future.
Addressing the launch of the exhibition, Speaker Anġlu Farrugia shared his thoughts on the works, noting in them elements of human suffering, a desire for peace and respect for fundamental human rights and liberties.
“Many years have passed since the end of the last world war, but sadly, we have remained too egoistic. Our hope lies with you, the younger generation. I hope that you will be more able to do what is right for the good of everyone. We must work together to persuade others to choose peace and love over selfishness and suffering,” the Speaker said.
The launch was also addressed by Clifton Grima, Minister for Education, Sports, Youth and Research and Innovation, Justin Schembri, Shadow Minister for Education, Sports, Youth and Research and Innovation; Michel Cordina, executive director and head of business Development at HSBC Bank Malta, and Doreen Said Pace, head of St Ignatius College Network.
Glenn Bugeja, corporate sustainability manager for HSBC, said that bank believes that the discussion about ESG needs to take place across society and not just in company boardrooms.
Michel Cordina, executive director and head of business development for HSBC Malta, added: “It is also absolutely essential that the process involves the younger generations, as they have the potential to be the driving force behind serious change.”
