Facing up to our Collective Responsibilities

Billy Jean is the Steve Sinnott Foundation Project Manager in Haiti.

“A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they know they shall never sit”

- an ancient Greek proverb

Ordinarily we wake up every morning to continue our daily activities which preserve our lifestyle. The survival instinct is a shared affair, our self-esteem and the well-being of the people who are dear to us are the real factors that most often guide our actions and thoughts.


It is clear that the world around us is changing by leaps and giant steps. The generations that coexist in the contemporary world face the irreversible phenomenon that is globalization. Through this process, the national product, capital and labour markets become more tightly integrated across borders. There is therefore an influx of goods, services and people around the world. Production is internationalized and manpower is more available. So the world is experiencing great technical progress.


However, we all know that despite this progression, there are values which are attached to human dignity that we are eternally inseparable from. We cultivate those values in our family and in the world around us. They have a very close connection with education and culture. The feeling of being oneself, feeling loved, accepted and respected or the simple fact of not being invisible to the eyes of others; these are natural feelings felt by all.


Unfortunately, generations have inherited several obstacles that hinder common well-being in society that can be brought together under the term “discrimination”.


Normally we can consider the source of these stereotypes in relation to the social constructions which have been the work of people over the years.


According to arbitrary criteria, we categorize people as white or black, man or woman, expatriate or immigrant, beautiful or ugly, rich or poor etc ... So, prejudice presupposes first of all a perception that we have of certain categories, there are “us” and there are “them”. Thus, this way of categorizing “us” and “them” puts us in a situation of abstract separation in society.



Many of us are ready to defend until our last day, our homeland, our identity and the community to which we belong. We are concerned about leaving juicy economic legacies for our children. Few of us think of leaving a better society for them. It is in the face of this major challenge that we find ourselves today in the world. Now is no longer the time to try to provide individual solutions to common problems.


Threats such as climate change, utopian wars fought at the whim of heads of government, the endless fight against injustice to

women around the world, famine in African countries whose subsoil is full of natural resources, the desperation that forces people to leave their country in search of a better life in an unknown world, the children who are expelled from their school because of frizzy hair and many other challenges are still present today.


It is very easy to feel too tiny and helpless to change these things. But I believe that everyone has a moral responsibility to

no longer be a passive citizen or a mere observer of these things. It’s a holy challenge. We cannot separate our destiny from

the rest of the others. In truth, we are all in the same boat.


Education is one of the most effective means to remedy phenomena which are harmful to a society. It’s a massive building

tool. Striving for a global and equitable education is very important for economic development and the distribution of social justice in the world.


Social progress, which means that children from poor families must logically break free of the poverty in their genealogical chain, is closely linked to the opportunity of benefiting from a quality education.


Thus, it is the responsibility of each of us to contribute to this laudable cause in order to make a difference to an undeniable

emergency still facing the world today.


From Engage issue 20.


BILLY JEAN • August 13, 2021
By Ann Beatty October 3, 2025
The Steve Sinnott Foundation is proud to celebrate the inspirational winners of the 2025 Seeds of Hope for a Better Future competition, a global initiative supported by UNESCO that brings together creativity, community, and a shared commitment to peace and sustainability. This unique project invited schools across the world from nursery and primary through to secondary and high school to explore the values of peace, cultural understanding, and care for the planet. In the face of climate change, young people were asked to tell their stories through art, performance, and digital creativity, highlighting how small seeds of action can grow into powerful movements for hope. The results have been extraordinary. Schools in France, the UK, Gambia, Haiti, and Kenya have been recognised for their outstanding contributions, with projects ranging from community gardens and sculptures to dance performances and illustrated stories. Each winner has shown how young voices and imagination can nurture peace and sustainability in ways that inspire us all. The full Awards Ceremony can be watched linked here: S eeds of Hope For A Better Future Awards Ceremony 2025 Highlights from the Winners Oak View Primary and Nursery School (UK) created Faces of Feeling, a collection of joyful sculptures already exhibited in a local gallery. Judges praised their work as supporting the wellbeing of others and embodying the idea of children as true “Seeds of Hope.” St Joseph’s Senior Secondary School (Gambia) painted Campaign for a Sustainable Banjul , reflecting real-world climate action in their city. The judges described it as “a most deserving and robust winner.” In France , the Jardin d'Enfants des Nations Unies (United Nations Nursery School) won hearts with Wind of Peace , where 5-6 year olds combined drawings, paintings, and tree planting to champion reforestation. Lyng Hall Secondary School, Coventry (UK) collaborated with Henley Green Primary and the UK Literacy Association to produce The Heart Shaped Hole – an innovative and metaphorical take on Seeds of Hope. Earlsdon Primary School, Coventry (UK) impressed with Primary Plot , a project that included gardening with the visually impaired, reflecting inclusivity and sustainability. A remarkable cross-collaboration between 21 schools across West Yorkshire, Essex, and Tower Hamlets (UK) resulted in Lights, Camera, Score , an ambitious combination of animation, music, and storytelling. CIMA Community School of Hope, Haiti shared Konbit - a video of dance and solidarity, inspiring villages to work together for peace and dignity. Daraja Academy, Kenya presented an ambitious and optimistic project integrating sustainability into everyday school life. Celebrating Creativity and Peace This year’s competition was judged by an impressive panel of artists, writers, and cultural leaders including Sir Antony Gormley, Edmund de Waal, Dame Liz Forgan, Hugh Quarshie, and Rathna Ramanathan. Their collective expertise highlighted the quality and depth of the entries, each of which showed how art can be a powerful tool for global understanding and change. The Seeds of Hope initiative is part of UNESCO UK’s Arts and Culture for Peace programme, first launched in 2022. It has grown from earlier collaborations such as the Coventry Young Ambassadors’ Islands of Peace Japanese Garden , opened in 2021 a living reminder that seeds planted in communities can continue to flourish. Looking Ahead As Ann Beatty, UNESCO ASPnet UK National Coordinator , shared: “The quality of entries was extraordinary. We are delighted at the response to this amazing initiative in collaboration with our international partners.” And in the words of judge Jannette Cheong : “Young people around the world understand well the value of peace and tolerant relationships between cultures. Their creativity is an inspiration to all of us.” At The Steve Sinnott Foundation, we believe that education is the seed from which hope grows. The Seeds of Hope competition is a shining example of how young people through creativity, compassion, and collaboration are already shaping a more peaceful and sustainable future. You can access the full online awards presentation here: Seeds of Hope For A Better Future Awards Ceremony 2025 ๏ปฟ
By Ann Beatty August 18, 2025
The journey to strengthen the well-being and success of learners in The Gambia continues with a renewed commitment to guidance and counselling in schools. By August 14th 2025, we have successfully trained 140 educators across ๐‘๐ž๐ ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ ๐Ÿ, ๐Ÿ, ๐Ÿ‘ & ๐Ÿ’ under our Guidance & Counselling Programme. A programme designed to equip educators with the skills to support students’ academic, social, and emotional development. Region 3 Teachers Complete Level 2 Training On Wednesday, 6th August, thirty teachers from Region 3 (North Bank Region) began a three-day Level 2 Guidance and Counselling training at the Christian Council in Kanifing. This programme built on their earlier Level 1 training in Farafenni, with a focus on deepening their capacity to serve as school-based counsellors. The training concluded with a certificate presentation ceremony, recognising the teachers’ commitment and marking an important step in their professional development. These certificates symbolize more than an achievement; they represent each teacher’s readiness to provide psychosocial support, guidance, and mentorship to learners across their schools.
By Ann Beatty August 15, 2025
Mike Fleetham of Thinking Classroom has written a book " Headlines: Inspiration, humour and advice for school leaders ". A collection of original ideas, advice from professionals, quotes, and tips to support and inspire all leaders. Perfect for new and established leaders working in education, especially headteachers. "Being a headteacher is like looking both ways before you cross the road, and then getting hit by an aeroplane." To Enter the Competition To win a copy of Headlines please share your inspiring education or life lesson in no more than 600 words. The winning article will also be published in our next edition of Engage. Send your words of inspiration to admin@stevesinnottfoundation.org.uk ๐Ÿ“… Deadline: 5th September 2025โ  Stuck on Ideas? Here are some questions and prompts to get you started! What’s the one lesson school didn’t teach you, but life did? Think of a moment that changed your path, what happened? What piece of advice has helped you grow the most? When did a challenge turn into an opportunity for you? What story from your life would inspire someone on the other side of the world? What’s the life lesson that unlocked your next chapter? โ  Your words could uplift, empower and be seen by many. Let your story inspire the world! ๐ŸŒ๐Ÿ’กโ  Good luck and we cant wait to read all the entries!