Brunssum, the Netherlands– Friday 1st February the AFNORTH International School hosted a series of lectures focusing on environmental responsibility. Three visiting speakers all had one strong message drawn from their varied backgrounds and expertise. That message to the students was clear - plastics are damaging our world.

 

Students worked collaboratively, exploring how plastic waste is impacting all of us and then addressed the question of what might be done to counter it. It was a ‘wear green’ day and a litter-less lunch took place – both initiatives led by the school’s International Student Council. Three leading experts on Microplastic Pollution shared their expertise with our students, staff, parents, and members of our JFC HQs Brunssum Community. Following a talk presented by Professor Andreas Fath, a scientist from Furtwangen University (Germany), older students and staff engaged in active research and demonstrations; working as environmentalists, engineers, business experts, and politicians to investigate the issue from a variety of perspectives. Middle and elementary school students met ‘The Blowfish’, a heavy metal marine biologist, and Sarah Mooney, a story teller. Parents and members of JFC Community participated in the community talks in the afternoon.

 

All in all this was an action packed day where students, staff and parents collaborated to discuss how changes to our individual and collective attitudes and behaviors might benefit the environment. The key takeaway from the day was: ‘the first step a community can take is to avoid plastic, as much as possible, in daily life – do not wait, take action now!’

 

Working together with each other, for each other, and on behalf of each other.

 

Story by JFC Brunssum Public Affairs Office