Hundreds of Coventry schoolchildren learned about critical environmental issues through the spectrum of performing arts at a ‘unique’ conference in the city.
More than 400 young people from primary and secondary schools across the city attended the first Youth Energy Summit at Coventry Building Society Arena, led by arts charity Highly Sprung Performance and a group of Young Producers aged 13-16.
The event aimed to explore the energy crisis through the medium of physical theatre and a series of workshops, speeches and discussions.
A group of ten Coventry students from Years 9 and 10 set the agenda and organised the Summit’s many events as Highly Sprung’s dedicated Young Producers.
Accelerate, a performance recently shared with 2,000 students whilst touring West Midlands schools, was performed at the two-day conference. The show inspired some of the workshops that followed; using physical theatre to help students better understand renewable energy technologies, energy conservation and policy advocacy.
Mark Worth, Artistic Director at Highly Sprung Performance, said: “For young people aged between 9 and 14 to learn from industry professionals about how we generate energy and how we need to adapt our usage for a better future, has been incredible.
“The Energy Summit was designed by young people for young people and had the arts at the very heart of it. If what we saw is anything to go by, the future is in good hands.
“We care about energy and want to talk about why we need to reduce the amount of energy we're using. We’re involving about 12 schools. It’s been confidence building and it makes me feel so proud.
“We wish to thank Heart of England’s Inclusive Communities Fund and E.ON for their support and funding of this project.”
Young Producer Gayathiri, 13, said: “The Youth Energy Summit is about bringing young people’s voices together on the subject of climate change, sustainability and we’ve got some really important people from E.ON and Sustainability West Midlands.
“They’ve all come together to talk to young people and get their voices heard. We’ve made this for young people, from young people.”
Representatives from E.ON Energy, Sustainability West Midlands, Warwick Manufacturing Group and Coventry City Council delivered keynote speeches and took part in panel discussion at the Summit, which kicked off each day with a live theatrical performance.
E.ON Energy said it was ‘incredibly proud’ to sponsor the event, adding: “The message of Accelerate is something we at E.ON share passionately. The world needs to move away from fossil fuels, which are running out and are damaging to the environment, and instead embrace new, exciting and more sustainable methods of generating energy.”
Phil Jemmitt, from WMG, said more questions were asked during the panel discussions than at any other event he has attended.
“Every hand went up at one point,” he said, “and that’s because we've got these young people being advocates to other young people and passing it along.”
Jenni Ford, Sales and Marketing Director at Coventry Building Society Arena, said: “The question of climate change is undoubtedly one that will be asked more and more by future generations so it’s vital the youth of today are well educated about the environment and renewable energy.
“If the performing arts can offer a more accessible way into these issues then events like this Youth Energy Summit should absolutely be championed.”
Based at Daimler Powerhouse, Highly Sprung Performance deliver inspirational workshops to more than 5,000 children and young people every year; reaching an audience of nearly 40,000 with its touring performances across the UK.
For more information about Highly Sprung Performance, visit https://highlysprungperformance.co.uk/