How Canon is helping Birmingham school pupils become more sustainable

Canon is the Official Imaging Supporter of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and as the countdown continues they are visiting local schools this week to help educate pupils about a more sustainable world.

The company, founded in 1937 with the specific goal of making the best quality camera available to customers has developed its passion for the Power of Image to use technology to become a world leader in imaging solutions.

Now it is running workshops with young people from all backgrounds across Birmingham to give them the opportunity to use their knowledge, skills, and confidence to tackle the sustainability issues that matter to them.

They are briefing youngsters to reflect on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to use language, design and photography to portray a sustainability cause they are passionate about – or would like to see implemented in their own local community.

Each session is being hosted by a Canon Ambassador – who discusses their own success story, as well as inspiring the young people with photography tips and tricks.

Canon experts will also support the workshops, whilst famed athlete and scriptwriter, Peter Bakare and former Birmingham Poet Laureate, Spoz will attend select events.

Details of the workshops are as follows:

·       4th July:Fortis Shaw Academy -Canon Ambassador:Clive Booth

·       4^th July: Urban Heard Youth Group – Canon Ambassador: Clive Booth

·       5th July: Coleshill School – Canon Ambassador: Eliška Sky

·       6th July: Holly Lodge Academy – Canon Ambassador: Wanda Martin

·       7th July: Bristnall Hall Academy – Canon Ambassador: Sanjay Jogia

·       8th July: Lyndon School – Canon Ambassador: Eddie Keogh

Aligned with Canon’s commitment to the SDGs and the YPP mission to empower the next generation to share the social and environmental issues that matter to them, participants are being invited to focus their storytelling on one of the following goals: Good Health and Wellbeing; Quality Education; Gender Equality; Sustainable Cities and Communities; and Climate Action.

The results of the work will be showcased in each school later this year, as well as at Canon’s Customer Experience Centre in Birmingham.

What have Canon and the Commonwelath Games have said about the workshops in their own words?

Adam Pensotti, Head of Canon EMEA Young People Programme, says, “We’re thrilled to be bringing our ‘Inspiring Change’ initiative to Birmingham and to be able to offer young people the opportunity to be part of these exciting workshops. As the Official Imaging Supporter of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, we believe the activity will empower young people in the city to act as drivers of change, whilst learning valuable creative and sustainable skills they can carry into their future.”

Alton Brown, Head of Youth Programmes & Policy at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, says, “Having the opportunity to work with the experts from Canon and such renowned photographers is a unique experience for young people and we are proud that this activity is being coordinated to celebrate the upcoming Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. This is a wonderful way to drive awareness of important sustainability issues, whilst empowering young people to share their ideas and develop vital creative skills.”

The ‘Inspiring Change Initiative’ continues the YPP commitment to inspire, educate, and empower young people from all over the world to share their stories. YPP has reached over 5,000 participants in 27 countries by working with over 50 NGO partners to equip young people in schools and communities with the skills, tools and platforms they need to share their stories with the world and create new opportunities both for themselves and others in their communities.

How can I find out more information about Canon and its work with young people and Birmingham 2022?

Canon is the Official Imaging Supporter of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, bringing together its latest print, camera and medical products and services to help the fans, athletes and organisers experience a world-class edition of the Commonwealth Games.

To find out more about Canon’s work with young people visit: https://www.canon.co.uk/sustainability/empowering-young-people/

To discover more about Canon’s sponsorship of theBirmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, please visit: https:/www.canon.co.uk/about_us/sponsorship/birmingham2022/

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