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Think globally, teach locally

Published by Rob Hattersley on Wednesday, January 23rd, 2008 at 9:09 am

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If your organisation is campaigning for change on transport, food, health, energy, justice or fairtrade issues, where better to start than by engaging with schools? Not only do the children themselves learn about the issues, but through them you reach parents, families, the wider community, generate excellent PR opportunities with local and national media, and can build positive relations with key decision-makers. A schools initiative can be a very cost-effective PR tool in comparison with more traditional communication methods.

For example, the Environmental Transport Association (ETA) campaigns for sustainable transport and also offers a number of services such as breakdown cover for motorists who wish to lessen their environmental impact. The ETA commissioned WyEd to create a curriculum resource encouraging children to walk to school. This is a key message for ETA, but in providing the resource across the UK they also create opportunities to raise their profile. To see the result, visit www.eta-schools.co.uk. This is being promoted by local authorities in time for Walk to School Week from 19th to 23rd May 2008.