Local students debate food security in States Chamber
States Assembly
24 November 2023
This morning, the Colin Powell Rotary Student Peace Debate was held in the States Chamber. During the debate, students from Beaulieu Convent School, De La Salle College School and Hautlieu School debated concerns relating to food security.
The Bailiff, Sir Timothy Le Cocq, chaired the proceedings and Edward Lewis, Programme Manager for Jersey Overseas Aid, gave a keynote address on the challenges of food security in domestic and conflict situations.The debate then commenced with presentations by students from the three secondary schools on the following topics:
• Students from De La Salle College presented on establishing self-sufficiency by reducing globalisation of food supply;
• Students from Beaulieu Convent School spoke about additional investment in local agriculture to increase food security and other economic, social and environmental benefits;
• Students from Hautlieu School presented on the responsibility of government to ensure the island has a sustainable food security strategy through its policies.
The presentations were followed by a Questions period. The Bailiff then proposed two motions to be voted on by the students.
The first motion was: “The teaching of agriculture should be a mandatory GCE subject in Jersey to encourage people to work in that sector.”
This proposition was defeated with 3 votes for, 21 votes against, and 1 abstention.
The second motion was “This Assembly agrees that if you want peace, you must prepare for war.”
This proposition was defeated with 8 votes for, 10 votes against, and 7 abstentions.
The Colin Powell trophy for the best performance in the debate was awarded to De La Salle College.
Rotarian Tony Allchurch, who organised the debate, commented:
“It is always inspirational to hear young people give their presentations, ask questions, and formulate their views during the Colin Powell Rotary Student Peace Debate. This morning’s debate was an important opportunity for Jersey’s secondary school students to speak in the States Chamber and express their views. The act of considering the Bailiff’s propositions and recording votes is an important experience for the voters of the future. I was extremely impressed to hear the presentations and I offer my congratulations to all those who took part.”
The Student Peace Debate is dedicated to the memory of Rotarian Colin Powell, a man of peace and a great humanitarian. He was instrumental in establishing this event as an important contribution to the Rotary Peace Programme, which recognised Jersey as a Rotary Peace Community in 2015.
The Student Peace Debate was recorded and can be watched back via public-i.
