Shan Oakes, EU 2009 candidate

talks at Otley School.

Biographical details. Press Releases

With a background in education, Shan is committed to environmental and development work. 

Well I made it in time by train and bus to Otley from Beverley – about 2 hours each way!

 I was privileged to speak to the whole of Year 10 for 40 minutes in the hall. 150 young people listening very attentively :-) (No, really!)

  I really enjoyed it , felt inspired and it just flowed. I  started with my personal story about how I got to here…. and I covered as diverse campaigns as Trident, GM, biofuels, participative politics, school councils and citizenship, justice and peace, transport, education, phew!

 I also went into how the Green Party is not the same as Greenpeace (a common mistake!), and I looked at consumerism and waste, fair trade and local produce, and finished with an emphasis on the Green Party supporting ethical behaviour - whilst the grey parties try to skirt round embarrassing obstacles like Trident!

•   Youngsters in the Britain do not know that UK has nuclear weapons!!!  

 The students at Otley were very attentive and  the applause was enthusiastic (including some whistles!), and some kids said ‘Great speech!’ as I walked back to the bus  afterwards.

 After that experience I would be pleased to consider any other secondary schools, colleges, etc., anywhere in Yorkshire and Humber.

 It really confirmed that it’s extremely valuable - I enjoy spanning all the issues and making the connections – and linking with young people of course.   

 The secondaries tend to have whole days for special issues and this fits in with their PSHCE (personal, social, health and citizenship education - perhaps some of these should be separate!).

 So it's great that schools look for speakers for whole year groups. However, it might be better if they used their speakers more strategically,  i.e. a whole day of different groups rather than just a 40 minute slot, but even a short burst is well worth it.

 I do feel that quite a proportion made a connection with what Green issues are really about.  

 And now …well, I'm really pleased with how it went. Feels like a very good use of my time. Thank you Otley!

best , Shan.

hull [at] greenparty [dot] org [dot] uk

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