Winners of the Education for Sustainable Development Art Competition for Schools announced
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From: Department of Education
- Published on: 10 April 2025
- Last updated on: 12 April 2025
Minister for Education Helen McEntee has today congratulated Jemimah Foster from Tralee Educate Together school who has won the overall prize for the Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Art Competition for Schools at an awards ceremony in the Clock Tower at the Department of Education in Marlborough Street, Dublin.
The competition is part of ESD to 2030, Ireland’s 2nd National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development and students were invited to submit art works under the theme “What Sustainability Means to Me”.
Jemimah Foster’s piece was titled “The Future is in Our Hands”.
Speaking following today’s ceremony, Minister McEntee said:
“It is a great honour to see the fantastic creative works by children and young people from across the country, demonstrating their artistic abilities but also showcasing their knowledge and interest in sustainability. I am delighted that these 12 winners have been recognised for their talent and hard work.”
Dr. Katie Sweeney, National Director for the Integration of the Arts and Creativity in Education, Chair of the judging panel said:
“I am so pleased to announce the winner of the ESD Art Competition for Schools. Education is a place for creativity, innovation and collaboration. This competition provided an opportunity for students and teachers to collaborate and engage in creativity and critical thinking which will be beneficial in developing their knowledge and skills in promoting sustainable development.”
There were twelve other prizes awarded in four categories:
Notes
ESD to 2030, Ireland's 2nd National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development
ESD to 2030 aims to ensure that ‘all learners have the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development’.
ESD to 2030 is co-sponsored by the Department of Education, Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and spans lifelong education from Early Years, through Schools, into Further and Higher Education and beyond.
Some of the key achievements to date include:
- the introduction of a new Leaving Certificate curriculum Climate Action and Sustainable Development from September 2025
- the introduction of a new area of learning at primary level: Social and Environmental Education from September 2025
- further embedding of ESD themes and principles across the curriculum at all levels
- funding to schools and organisations for ESD projects
- a Sustainability Toolkit for schools
- a quarterly ESD Newsletter to all schools and education partners
- an annual ESD Stakeholder Forum
- a new free on-line course “ Managing School Grounds for Biodiversity “ as recommended by the Citizens Assembly on Biodiversity Loss
- ESD to 2030 adopted by UNESCO as Ireland’s Country Initiative for ESD
A first progress report was published in November 2023 and a second progress report is currently under development for publication in summer 2025.