Why did you decide to take part in The Development Youth Prize 2006?
It was a great opportunity for cross-curricular activities. Usually we don’t have enough time for topics like development education in our curriculum. The Development Youth Prize competition gave that input for my subjects which are history and civics. (Ülle L., Estonia)
I wanted my students to focus on development aid problems and make them do something practical at the same time. (Michael H. K., Austria)

How did you explain to your students the themes and the goals of the prize?
We spoke about the developing countries, their possibilities and Africa’s history, showing films and pictures. (Maria F., Spain)
Much of the material in the Development Youth Prize website was very informative and helpful but teachers must be prepared to read and use it. Through assemblies and group discussions we heightened students’ awareness and we made sure that this was even more important than contributing money. (Roisin K., UK)
We had a brainstorming and students presented their final ideas after three weeks. We collected materials about development politics in Africa and we discussed it. (Ülle L., Estonia)

Does the competition represent a good opportunity to talk about Africa and development cooperation in the classroom?
It is an incentive to deal with the topic and encourages the students to think about the situation there. (Michael H. K., Austria)
I am a teacher of mathematics and I did not discuss about Africa during my lessons. But I am a class teacher too, and so during special hours with my class we talked about Africa, also because one of my students was volunteering at UNICEF. (Jasna K., Slovenia)

Would you recommend other teachers to take part in the competition? Why?
Our winner was offered a traineeship by a development agency, where he worked as a trainee for 6 weeks. As you can see, the participation to the context seems to have had a very sustainable effect. (Michael H. K., Austria)
It is possible to learn more about Africa and development, getting in contact with colleagues from other European countries, both for teachers and pupils. (Andrejs E., Latvia).
Every competition is a new experience and a possibility to compare your own abilities with those of others. (Andrejs E, Latvia)
Whilst the initial reading and research is daunting and may put teachers off, the reality is that the experience for the pupils is unforgettable, valuable and life enhancing. To get to Africa was one of the greatest experiences of my life. Interaction with all the other countries in the EU was brilliant and I have kept in touch with some of the teachers and made good school contacts. (Roisin K., UK)
It represents a way to practice language and create teamwork spirit. (Ülle L., Estonia).

What advice would you give to other teachers?
Read the material; much of the work is already done and there are many links! Moreover pupils can extend on the research. Also, watch the entries! We enjoyed many of these as some of the entries (not necessarily the winning entries) were hard hitting and poignant which in itself was motivational. (Roisin K, UK)
Take a personal approach if possible, link it to some actual problem or project, maybe invite an expert on the topic, and let them work. (Michael H. K., Austria)

Does the competition help students and teachers to reflect on Africa and on development cooperation?
Only after visiting Rwanda did I truly understand what Africa means. I can say the same about my attitude to Africa as well. Now my knowledge and comprehension are deeper and clearer. (Andrejs E., Latvia).
Teachers can learn from the reflections of students, using this experience, students and teachers can actuate local projects. (Ülle L., Estonia)

What did you and your students learn by participating? 
 We understood the importance of any human action in the field cooperation in Africa. (Ülle L., Estonia)
We got better insight into some aspects of Africa; we now know more about it, we see some things from a different point of view - more positive, I would say - and we take a keener interest in what is going on there. (Michael H. K., Austria)
There isn’t a great difference between our problems; differences lie only in our living conditions and necessities. We all are humans. We never live isolated in this world, we are all tied together (Andrejs E., Latvia)
Rwanda has changed me. (Jasna K., Slovenia)
The Development Youth Prize did form my opinion about global world. (Ülle L., Estonia)