Sixth Formers Relish Opportunity To Influence Coventry's Nobel Peace Prize Nomination

Sixth form students Matthew Hayhurst and Jasmine Shankster-East (Wheatleyan editor) proudly represented Bablake at the RISING Global Peace Forum held at Coventry University earlier this week.

Experienced, enthusiastic and articulate public speakers Jasmine and Matthew had been invited to make a nomination for the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize alongside Professor Matt Qvortrup and Dr Sariya Cheruvallil-Contractor (Research Fellow in Faith and Peaceful Relations), since Coventry University’s non profit-seeking Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations (CTPSR) is one of a small number of organisations worldwide able to nominate candidates for this prestigious award.

CTPSR’s Executive Director Professor Mike Hardy introduced the debate. He made proud reference to last year’s inaugural RISING, an event where former Prime Minister Gordon Brown told the world it must come to our city to see what it has achieved. He reminded the forum of his vision for Coventry being globally significant and cementing its growing reputation as a centre of reconciliation. Davos, in Switzerland, had recently hosted a gathering of world leaders at the World Economic Forum, and Professor Hardy expressed his desire that Coventry would become 'the Davos for peace and reconciliation'. He then called upon our students to open the nominations.

Sharing their five minute appeal, Jasmine and Matthew made a very convincing case for the International Space Station (ISS) being chosen as Coventry’s nomination. Both students stressed how the ISS not only encouraged global cooperation, but had proven success in harmonious cooperation. The conclusion was a powerful, poignant metaphor; where people in turmoil worldwide, but particularly in Coventry's past, had looked to the sky and feared bombs and missiles raining down upon them, now on a clear night, the ISS shines out as a visible symbol of progress made via peaceful cooperation.

Professor Hardy was impressed. He confirmed the ISS would meet the CTPSR’s values and immediately highlighted five messages from our nomination: teamwork, trust, shared values with a common vision, its perpetual presence and, finally, the quantifiable results.

Professor Matt Qvortrup advocated German Chancellor Angela Merkel for her speed in accepting so many refugees and sharing the wealth of her country with them; he was quick to stress her own humble background, generosity and humanity. Dr Sariya Cheruvallil-Contractor proposed Nepalese social activist Anuradha Koirala, founder of Maiti Nepal, a non-profit organisation dedicated to preventing the trafficking of woman and girls. It was not difficult to envisage how the Nobel Peace Prize's monetary award would totally transform the latter’s philanthropy and make significant changes.

After the three nominations, the audience was able to question all of the nominees about their choice. The final twist then came when Professor Hardy asked each nominator to discard their own choice and explain which rival bid should be accepted. Jasmine and Matt chose Anuradha Koirala, impressed by her altruistic actions, while the ISS was the choice of both the other nominators!

Asked about the event, Jasmine commented: “This was a memorable and brilliant experience. Bablake is an International Cross of Nails School that is committed to promoting the values of peace and reconciliation, so it was an honour to have the opportunity to make our nomination. It would be fantastic if our suggestion were then adopted by the city.”

Matthew, also, was full of enthusiasm, saying: “We arrived expecting to present alongside other schools to a young audience, so to have the chance to debate with established academics and adults was challenging but exhilarating. Jasmine and I were really pleased that the other presenters chose our nomination as their second choice too in the final part of the discussion.”

Mr Mark Woodward, Head of Careers, who accompanied our students, added: “Once again, I could not fail to be impressed by our students. Their outward confidence and ability to think quickly and deliver a sound message, especially when put on the spot by the audience, were most pleasing. Jasmine and Matthew also clearly relished the chance to be involved in discussions promoting a more peaceful, hopeful world.”

Research Associate Laura Payne complimented our students too after the event, saying: “Jasmine and Matt were wonderful – great speakers and very well prepared. It was a delight to have them on the panel and I loved their innovative suggestion of the ISS. What a credit to the school!”

We now await the decision on who will be Coventry’s nomination. This will be announced in April at a fundraising gala dinner. There are very strong arguments for each nomination being accepted of course, but we hope that the voice of Coventry’s young people wins the final sway! How wonderful it would then be for that nomination to progress and be selected overall peace laureate for 2016!

Footnote:
Rising 2016, led by Coventry University, Coventry City Council, Coventry Cathedral and the Coventry and Warwickshire Champions, just as at 2015’s inaugural event, will provide a platform for great minds to inform and inspire to promote a more peaceful, hopeful world. It will take place on November 15th and 16th.