Inter school debate and drawing competition in North Western Province

As a part of New Sustainable Development agenda in 2015, all countries of the United Nations has been adopted to 17 number of goals known as “Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)” in order to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all. All countries of the United Nations including Sri Lanka are expected to give high priority in their development agendas to these Sustainable Development Goals. The commitment of the Government of Sri Lanka in achieving these goals in 2030, is reflected by establishing Ministry of Sustainable Development, Parliament Select Committee on SDGs which is to make recommendations to ensure that the UN 2030 Agenda for SDGs.
Beside the government commitment, to ensure that, we all reach the targets set out in SDGs by 2030, requires the partnership of governments, private sector, civil society and citizens. Therefore, Industrial Services Bureau (ISB) of North Western Province as a semi-government organization, is interested and self-motivated in helping the country by promoting SDGs in various aspects. Especially, we have focused on key areas of SDGs like Sustainable Consumption & Production (SCP) which is addressed under Goal 12 “Sustainable Consumption & Production” and took few initiatives in the past years.

Developing school children as “Change Agents” is a concept developed by ISB, few years back to promote SCP among school children and the general public. Under this concept we have conducted Inter School Competitions such as quiz and drama competitions since 2016. This concept has received the recognition of many national & international organizations during past years. Hence, in this year, 2020 we have conducted an Inter School Debate and Drawing Competition in collaboration with North Western Provincial Council and Provincial Education Department.

The theme of the programme in this year was “Achieving Sustainable Development goals by promoting Sustainable Consumption Practices”. The main objective of this programme is to ensure the long term sustainability of sustainable consumption patterns. The specific objectives of this event is to, promote sustainable education, support the country to achieve SDGs; Goal 12 “SCP” and to create awareness on SDGs, SCP among school children, teachers and general public.
The debate competition was conducted with the participation of 32 schools representing all 08 educational zones in Kurunegala and Puttlam Districts in NWP; Puttlam, Chillaw, Maho, Giriulla, Kuliyapitiya, Nikaweratiya, Ibbagamuwa, Kurunegala. The competition was held in Mahagedara Hotel, Lake Round, Kurunegala on 18th, 19th Feb & 02nd March, 2020. This competition was carried out for both Junior and Senior categories. Under the Junior category Maliyadeva Collage has won the 2nd place and Sri Sumangala National School, Wariyapola has won the 1st place. Under the Senior category, Holy Angel’s Girls College, Kuliyapitiya has won the 2nd place and St. Joseph Vaz College, Wennappuwa has won the 1st place.
The drawing competition was conducted with the participation of 40 school children representing all 08 educational zones in Kurunegala and Puttlam Districts in NWP as above. The competition was held in the same venue on 02nd March, 2020. From this competition Anjana Medhani Hathurusinha, Medamulla De M M.V., Medamulla won the 3rd Place, Dhananjaya Isuranga Dewapriya, St. St. Joseph Vaz College, Wennappuwa won the 2nd place and Dehmika Jenul Bandara, Mawathagama National School, Mawathagama has won the 1st place.