Presentation descriptions

Student presentation titles and descriptions from the 2017 GIN Conference programme

Are we the asteroid destroying Earth this time?

There are too many people in the world and space is at a premium. Furthermore, we are overconsuming, running out of resources and living unsustainably. Having children is one of the most joyous moments in one’s life, yet this is having a huge impact on our planet. Are there any solutions to save us?  

Buddy project: cooking with refugees

Our group bridges the distance between our international expat school community and students with a different migration background. Our presentation will focus on our last activity: a cooking activity that makes use of our multi-cultural backgrounds to educate each other on our different cultures and to share our love of good food. 

Do you cut trees for breakfast?

As palm oil becomes a major issue, we realise that many products that we use in our daily lives have it as one of their ingredients. From shampoo to biscuits, the majority of processed products contain palm oil. The need to find a replacement for this product is a priority in the world and the best solution is education. 

 Too poorly educated to vote

 Is the worldwide collapse of democracy due to the underlying faults in our education system? Can our current education system sustain democracy, or is it destined to fail? Are some of the latest decisions proving that some are just too poorly educated to vote? 

Opening doors on sexual exploitation

We aim to shed light on the issue of sexual exploitation and the various forms it takes in different societies. Through interactive activities, a presentation and discussion, we aim to encourage attendants to participate in raising awareness in their own society. We will give useful suggestions and introduce key organizations, thereby promoting sustainable change and development. 

Picking up the pieces

Imagine thinking you don’t know if you will live to see the next day, in an environment where you don’t know who you can trust anymore. People like Marie-Christine, and others like us who support her, are attempting to pick up the pieces and connect with refugees and help stitch together much-needed resources. 

Sex in the city

Sex education is not merely a few awkward classes in high school, but a lifelong process essential to creating a sense of self-ownership and learning how to maintain healthy relationships. How can we ensure that information from schools, family, friends, media, and Italian society helps to strengthen women in Italy rather than hold them back? 

So you think you’re not racist, sexist or homophobic?

When asked, (almost) nobody says s/he has racist, sexist or homophobic thoughts or statements. Let us show you how people make snap judgements under the effect of unconscious bias. If we want to see peace, respect and understanding in our world, then we can start by improving our schools’ atmosphere. 

 The Great Decision

Ever wondered how difficult it is to facilitate sustainable change? Come and play this game to find out what it would be like if you were left in charge of human rights, refugees and global warming in your society. Will you succeed or fail? The future is in your hands! 

The role of fish faeces in urban farming

Imagine a fresh supply of fish and vegetables, both helping each other out and both growing on your rooftop. Say goodbye to food miles and hello to fresh and tasty homegrown food. 

Embedding sustainability education into curricula

This presentation explores the pressing need for sustainability and its associated concepts to be formally integrated into curricula in a bid to develop a shared mindset and understanding between future generations. 

Fairtrade empowers!

An accomplished Fairtrade school, we will share the actions we have taken to win our international Fairtrade awards. We will also be seeking advice to move forward in our projects. We hope to inspire you to further develop Fairtrade within your school! 

Have wheels will travel: bicycles for sustainability

Bicycle usage affords a cost-effective, environmentally friendly, sustainable means of transportation. The intrinsic benefits of such will be highlighted in an interactive activity. Guidelines will be provided for the creation of a local chapter of the electronic forum “Students’ Community for Sustainable Mobility.” Proactive approaches for effectively working with local authorities will be discussed. 

“How can we be friends?”

We explore some of many complex reasons for terrorism and peacekeeping issues, focusing on the action we can take as young leaders to bring about sustainable change. We strive to develop a better understanding of the tensions in the world through education and identify ways we can come together to improve and resolve them. 

Love me gender

Does our success depend on our sex? Are both genders treated equally in business, politics and sport? Is education a weapon to combat inequality? What can we, as young citizens, do to influence the mind-set of “decision-makers”? Attend our presentation to learn about some sustainable solutions to this global issue. 

Making our voices heard on sexual violence

Sexual violence is defined as a sexual act committed against that person's freely given consent. It can happen to anyone and anywhere, but when it does happen the victims often have a hard time making their voices heard. We want to try and tackle this issue and spread awareness in our international community. 

 Per Amatrice: rebuilding lives

Four students attempt to go beyond the headlines on the news and fundraise PER AMATRICE by selling products that raise awareness around sustainability. They educate their community by working closely with locals (Italians) on how they can take initiative and help rebuild the lives of the victims of this natural disaster. 

Sustainability in action: a “how to” guide for your community

Inspired by the UN’s sustainability goals, GIN at ASD has implemented a new sustainability initiative involving food and environmental consciousness. From preparing healthy breakfasts, to a sustainability themed week of activities on campus, we look to inspire our community through small, unique, and impactful campaigns in which everyone has an opportunity to take part. 

Tolerance - the first step towards education for all

Education is still inaccessible to some, while others take it for granted. In order to foster sustainability in education, we must begin with tolerance. Our school is heavily involved in educating its diverse community of members about the importance of tolerance. It is our aim to showcase our involvement. 

 Where unity begins

Everybody has the right to access technology. Although most people are addicted to technology and the internet, some cannot access them easily because of economic issues. Our purpose is both to raise awareness among students and to make reaching technology easy for some poor people living in villages. 

An insight into the educational system of The Gambia

After two decades of dictatorship the educational system of the Gambia is in a desolate state. One of our former students introduced us to his previous School - Bakau Primary School - which prompted our GIN group to take action. 

 Clean water: a matter of life and death

Clean water is a very precious commodity and can make the difference between life and death. Our aim is to provide clean water to areas where this is a problem by working together with NGOs in a practical way to help these developing communities create and  engineer sustainable ways of accessing and purifying available water. 

Beyond the complexion

“Why should people hunt me like they’re hunting animals to eat?” – Graze Mazzah This is an interactive presentation about the persecution of people with albinism in African nations. Based on the superstition that their body parts are magical, these victims live in constant terror. Hear their stories, get informed, make a difference. 

Can art integrate?

Our group uses art to integrate ISA students with groups of people with whom they normally do not interact. This year we have worked with a centre for young adults with mental disabilities, and an old age home, exploring the different ways in which art can integrate when language is a barrier. 

I am the 50% 

Women comprise about 50% of the population yet in many places they do not have the same rights as their male counterparts. Our presentation explores how empowering girls and women through art and technology could be the key to sustainable change. 

Populism: a threat to our sustainable future

This presentation will explore the shifting global political landscape and, in particular, the challenge this poses to us in embedding and prioritising sustainability issues. 

Saving wildlife with our tshirts

Besides some recognised endangered species, a number of other animals in the wild are decreasing due to their exposure to violence. Therefore, we realize that as social responsible world citizens we have to advocate for their rights in order to protect them from violence. 

 Sex trafficking in the Middle East - legal reform or re-culturation?

 Sex trafficking is a worldwide problem. However, in places where women’s rights are compromised and sex is a taboo, the issue presents a different array of problems. Is there hope for changing this reality and if so, is the path through stricter laws or social  conditioning? 

 Tools for the future: providing IT to refugees     

How can we, change makers of today, approach technical education in a sustainable manner? GIN at ASD has been supporting a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) program that will empower and equip Syrian refugee children with relevant learning skills to contribute to shaping their future and the future of their country. 

Education about the 'F- word'

With gender inequality being one of the most pressing issues that generations have faced, it is time to confront it, inspire change and educate the masses. Nobody should be judged, demeaned or undermined because of their sex. Our presentation will shine a new light on this topic and show why gender equality is important for everyone.  

Keeping sick children educated

In our presentation we will mention the educational challenges that children with leukemia face. We believe that these children shouldn’t be marginalized and their educational rights shouldn’t be ignored. Please join our session to hear more about leukemia and what sufferers feel and face every day. See how the smallest actions can lead to greater results that expected. 

Downsize me, please!

We will examine the differences between the United States and France in implementing education about food waste in schools and homes. Drawing on our personal experiences living with host families, and comparing the school cafeteria systems in France and the US, our goal is to educate our American counterparts about how we can reduce food waste. 

A drop for your life 

How much water do you think you waste each day? Could you imagine running out of water? What if the next sip could be lethal? With the support of Water Aid, our aim is to educate people on how lack of safe and available water changes peoples’ lives and how we can help. Come along and learn through an interactive experience how we can facilitate positive change through education. 

Luxembourg-India Youth Exchange Programme 

We are promoting sustainable changes through our relationship with Indian youngsters. In this workshop, we would like to create awareness of the difficulties in fighting for gender and social equality, in making education possible for all, and in reducing plastic waste despite the enormous social obstacles in Indian society. 

Is education really for all?

When it comes to 47% of the population, the idea of going to school is something of a dream. Join us at our interactive presentation to learn whether we are prioritising other challenges over a global fundamental need. 

Yes We CANteen

Interested in transforming your school canteen into a platform for education through demonstration? Our workshop will focus on actions taken to achieve our goal: to cultivate awareness in students and staff alike. Together, we can enjoy making choices that are beneficial to ourselves, our community and our earth. One bite at a time. 

The Great Decision

Ever wondered how difficult it is to facilitate sustainable change? Come and play this game to find out what it would be like if you were left in charge of human rights, refugees and global warming in your society. Will you succeed or fail? The future is in your hands! 

Behind the prison walls - educating a population

This is a presentation examining the integration and segregation of individuals in the prison system. It is an in depth inquiry on specific cases of wrongful incarceration and its influence on partisanship in society. Furthermore, it will provide a comparison of the purpose and effectiveness of varying prison systems worldwide. 

16 Days of Activism

Unfortunately, one in three women experience physical or sexual violence in a day on any part of earth. The focus of our presentation will be violence against women, and pioneering the 16 Days of Activism campaign aiming to raise awareness on gender-based violence at high schools. 

Connecting projects for better sustainability

Our school has been working on two sustainable health and education initiatives. The first focuses on educational support for children in the Moshaweng Valley in the Kalahari. For the second project our service group creates awareness about HIV and educates students on the issue. 

Do you know how lucky we/you are?

Students will play an interactive game “GIN-GO” through which they will learn facts about current statistics about education. Students will be answering questions about inequality in education around the world. This presentation will inform the audience through challenging questions and interesting facts regarding educational inequality

How green is your city?

Each year for the past three years the earth has been warming to reach its hottest temperature ever recorded. A contributing factor is pollution created by human activity in cities. Working globally and locally, we will examine how different cities can use vegetation and water sources to positively impact air quality and lower temperatures.

Is news a true reflection of reality?

With this project we want to teach people the problems fake news causes and how to avoid them by applying critical judgement to information obtained from the Internet e.g. social media. We will try to show that not everything we encounter on the Internet is true. 

Are we the asteroid destroying Earth this time?

There are too many people in the world and space is at a premium. Furthermore, we are overconsuming, running out of resources and living unsustainably. Having children is one of the most joyous moments in one’s life, yet this is having a huge impact on our planet. Are there any solutions to save us?  

Is modern day nationalism the result of the failure of internationalism?

The surprise votes for Brexit and for Donald Trump caused us to think about the unexpected and rise of nationalism. Is it the result of problems arising from globalisation or the collective failure of internationalism to work for all, and not just some? Can education provide a sustainable solution to the threat of populism and jingoistic nationalism? 

The Talented Women’s Club: microfinance initiative in Ghana

The Talented Women’s Club is a registered NGO which deals with micro credit and nutrition projects in a slum on the outskirts on Accra, Ghana. This presentation will focus on the key stages of sustainable development in a slum community and how they can be achieved elsewhere. We will focus specifically on creating gender equality, economic growth and health awareness. 

Journey to Kenya 

Thuringia International School has built a sustainable relationship with the Born Again orphanage in Kenya over the past few years. Through fundraisers and cooperation we have expanded our international understanding and created links to build a stronger partnership between our students and the children there, encouraging integration through education. 

Nothing to hide, nothing to fear? 

How can we integrate sustainable technological change into "hyper-securitised" states that tackle terrorism by trampling freedom, redrawing boundaries between the power of the state and the rights of the individual? Our presentation evaluates how terrorism has affected surveillance, privacy and human rights in Europe and calls for education in Human Rights in order to maintain sustainable democracies.