2008 Annual Round Square Conference in Canada

 
 
 
This year’s conference had an environmental theme.  Because Round Square has expanded to include over 74 schools, the conference was held for the first time on two sites.   Half of the schools went to Glen Lyon Norfolk School on Vancouver Island and half to Collingwood School in Vancouver.  Cobham was assigned to Collingwood School.
We began our trip with a four day pre-conference tour to Vancouver Island with ten other schools before returning to Collingwood for the opening of the Conference.
 The opening address was by a Canadian Astronaut currently on the Russian Space Station. As he held his camera up to the window, we caught sight of our fragile and beautiful planet spinning below him. King Constantine of Greece gave his opening address and then the flags of all the different schools were brought in.
 We had three keynote speakers. The first, Brian Keating is a TV presenter and zoologist.
 Our second lecture was by a university professor, Tom Homer-Dixon. His talk was very challenging and he used many graphs and charts to illustrate the serious predicament the environment is in at the moment.
 I think we would all agree the final lecture by Craig Kielburger was the most inspiring. He is only 25 and began his charity ‘Free the Children’ when he was only 12.  So far his charity has built 400 schools and educated thousands of children.
 
For a full report on the Conference, click below.
 
 

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