Awards recognise outstanding projects delivered by students across the world during Empathy Week 2023
This week, students and staff at Cambridge Academy for Science and Technology (CAST) are celebrating after being shortlisted for ‘Outstanding Empathy Project’ as part of this year’s Global Empathy Awards.
These awards are designed to celebrate outstanding projects delivered by students aged 11-18 worldwide to promote empathy and understanding. Seven Year 9 students at CAST joined together with peers from over 70 schools to carry out their project during Empathy Week in February.
In being shortlisted, CAST students were recognised for their work on ‘Project 13’, an environmental initiative named after the thirteenth UN Sustainable Development Goal, Climate Action. As part of this, the students set up a new group within the school to focus on sustainability and come up with ways to make the school more environmentally friendly. Their aim was to promote empathy for those affected by climate change and they were guided by the belief that to protect the environment is to protect people and communities.
To mark their achievement, the students received special certificates this week commemorating their efforts and the impact their project has had.
As part of Empathy Week more broadly, students across the year group also took part in a number of events, assemblies and talks delivered through an engaging webinar series which emphasised the importance of empathy in today’s world. Students are looking forward to taking part once again in Empathy Week 2024 and connecting with their peers around the globe to foster kindness and understanding.
Speaking about the project, Jerzy, one of the students involved, said:
“It has been a pleasure being part of Project 13. I personally most enjoyed the fact that we had the opportunity to help the school and its community by helping the planet. People gathering for a good cause is always uplifting to see.”
Another student, Laura, added:
“I was really happy about being shortlisted and also proud that we had managed to get to this point. I enjoyed the idea of working towards something that could benefit everyone involved and the Earth as a whole in the future.”
Danielle Pacey, Principal at CAST, said:
“Congratulations to all students who were involved in this fantastic project. It is a huge achievement to be shortlisted for a global award with more than 70 schools worldwide having participated in Empathy Week. Students should feel very proud of themselves for their hard work. Through their project, students demonstrated empathy for those who are already feeling the effects of climate change and came up with practical solutions to improve our local environment. They were excellent ambassadors for the school and I am thrilled their wonderful work has been recognised.”