GPSJ Autumn 2024 ONLINE - Flipbook - Page 15
GENERAL NEWS
GPSJ
Charity Calls for Refocus and Rethink
Around COP29
Gavin Bruce
As world leaders, scientists,
and activists come together in
Azerbaijan for the 29th session
of the Conference of the
Parties to the United Nations
Framework Convention on
Climate Change (COP29), a
crucial message resonates
across borders: “Use Your
Superpower Wisely – The
Power of Choice.”
The conference, themed “In
Solidarity for a Greener World,”
focued on the significance of
shared responsibility in combating
the climate crisis and protecting
our planet’s future. While global
negotiations and commitments are
essential to drive climate action,
COP29 reminds us that real, lasting
impact often comes down to the
choices we make in our daily lives.
Gavin Bruce, CEO of International
Animal Rescue (IAR), shares his
thoughts around the importance
of individual choices: “The most
simple steps that we all take every
day can have a big impact. If we all
think carefully before we act, every
decision we make can help us
create a more nature-friendly world.
Together, our actions add up to big
change.”
IIAR’s grassroots projects, such
as “Power of Mama,” an all-female
firefighting team in Borneo, highlight
the importance of empowering
communities to protect their
ecosystems, bolstering biodiversity,
which creates environmental
benefits.
While COP29 leaders focus
on global policies, individuals
are encouraged to take action.
By making mindful choices,
everyone can contribute to a more
sustainable world. Gavin Bruce
reminds us of the power we all
hold: “Use your superpower wisely
– every choice we make, no matter
how small, contributes to a greater
collective impact.”
For those looking to make a
difference, consider taking a “prepurchase pause” and ask yourself:
• Does this brand or packaging
prioritise sustainability?
• Do I need it?
To learn more, visit www.
internationalanimalrescue.org
• Can I buy second-hand or
borrow instead?
• Am I using my purchasing power
to benefit the planet?
“International Animal Rescue
believes that we can still turn the
tide with strong action. The future
of our planet’s biodiversity and life
as we know it depends on the
choices we make today. We must
hold leaders to their promises and
think about what one thing we can
do today to protect and restore
our fragile ecosystems. Let’s work
together to give our planet and all its
inhabitants a fighting chance. Let’s
make peace with nature.”
• Is it eco-friendly, ethical, or
fair-trade?
Finally someone is talking sense “A*s alone do not
set young people up for a healthy and happy life.”
As the Education Secretary in
England, Bridget Phillipson,
urges schools to shift from a
purely exam-focused approach
to one that emphasises
pupils’ sense of belonging and
wellbeing, there’s a growing
recognition that academic
success cannot come at the
cost of pupils’ mental health.
“But A*s alone do not set young
people up for a healthy and
happy life. And where previous
governments have had tunnel
vision, we will widen our ambition.”
In her recent address, Phillipson
highlighted the concern about the
decline in school attendance, a
likely indicator of disengagement
and emotional struggle among
pupils. Her message is clear: to
create an environment where pupils
feel supported and engaged,
schools need to go beyond “tunnel
vision” around exams.
To bridge the gap between
policy vision and real-world
implementation, schools must seek
innovative, practical tools that are
accessible and easy to integrate
into the school day.
Lumii.me is one such solution,
developed specifically to address
both the emotional and educational
needs of pupils. The tool offers
a range of features to promote
positive behaviour, provide
immediate support to pupils,
and instil crucial wellbeing skills.
By teaching pupils strategies for
resilience and self-regulation, Lumii.
me goes beyond momentary
interventions to nurture skills that
can last a lifetime.
Lumii.me was founded by Laura,
a teacher and mother who knows
the struggles of supporting a child
with mental health challenges. With
limited options for support available
to her, she was inspired to create
a tool designed to give teachers a
way to make a difference in their
pupils’ lives. The schools using
Lumii.me say that the key benefits
include:
• improved pupil behaviour
• reduced workload from
managing pupil behaviours
• improved attendance
• Calmer classrooms
The free trial option for Lumii.me
offers schools and teachers a
unique chance to experience the
impact of this tool without financial
commitment. This approach is
particularly beneficial at a time
when budgets are stretched and
resources limited – in this evolving
era of education, where wellbeing
and achievement must go hand in
hand.
To set up a free trial or see a demo
please email hello@lumii.me
GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC SECTOR JOURNAL AUTUMN 2024
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