On October 19th & 20th, HNMCS hosted the 1st Beyond COP21 Symposium in North America. Conceived, developed & facilitated by Peter Milne, Founder/Director of Target4Green, the symposium seeks to inspire students and teachers in schools across the world via a day of interactive discussions, workshops and an exhibition around the Beyond COP21 & SDGs agendas.

The series has already taken place in many countries across the globe including the UK, Jordan, UAE, Kenya, Ghana, Kuwait, Peru, Spain, Vietnam, Taiwan and Singapore, with future events already confirmed for the USA, UK, China, Georgia, Greece, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Egypt, UAE, NZ, Qatar and Bahrain. It will continue through to 2030, with the support of Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots and 350.org.

HNMCS welcomed students from many schools across the GTA including Bishop Strachan School, Blyth Academy, Branksome Hall, Havergal, Montcrest, Sterling Hall, Guiding Light Academy & University of Toronto Schools. The event consisted of themed high impact presentations by Fashion Takes Action and Health is Wealth, guest speakers, workshops, networking, pledge making and student-led discussions. Rachel Parent, Founder of Kids Right to Know, was the special guest speaker and a number of local organisations and companies were represented through the exhibition including ACER, EcoSchools, Credit Valley Conservation, Learning for a Sustainable Future, Halton Environmental Network, Natural Curiosity, Fashion Takes Action, Health is Wealth, Raw Materials Inc., Kids Right to Know, and Hoffman Hayes.

Pledges were made throughout the day with many of them directly related to the SDGs. Students pledged to avoid fast fashion, to take better care of the environment to protect all animals living under the water and on land, to reuse as often as possible, and many more. Ariana Morena, the Environmental Prefect, on Student Government led an interactive workshop on the SDGs.

The energy and enthusiasm from students, teachers, guest speakers and exhibitors were amazing. Strong connections have been made and opportunities to support each other have clearly developed from this event.

From HNMCS the symposium moves on to The Gordon School, Rhode Island, and we wish them the very best as the next hosts.