Engaging entries from Malta and Spain win Pedro Arrupe Award 2008/2009

Following a fantastic response to the Pedro Arrupe Award 2008/2009, JRS Europe is pleased to announce the winners of this year's competition.

The winners of the under-19 category are Marima Albert Bernad, Galla Rouras Kurtado, and Laura Sanchez Llorena from the Sant Estanislou de Kostka school in Barcelona. Their project, a photo album offering reflections on the lives of refugees, was adjudged to be an exceptional study of the refugee question, coupling profound insight with a high-standard of photography.

Such was the level of entries for this year's competition, the judges could not decide on just one winner for the under-16 category, and decided to split the prize between two projects.

The winners, in no particular order, are Mikel García, Erlantz Martín, and Ander Urgoiti from Colegio Nuestra Señora de Begoña in Bilbao for their project, 'Trabajo Sobre Refugiados: Urgama TV', and Claudine Micallef, Nicolette Mifsud, Clarissa Seguna, and Paula Vassallo from St Benedict's College in Malta for their project, 'A Journey to Freedom'. According to the judges, both projects displayed an exceptional knowledge of the subject, addressing the issue in both an innovative and refreshing manner, and providing an accurate account of the refugee and forced migrant issue in their respective societies.

A honourable mention also goes to Ander Caneda, Teresa Cardenal, Juan Moral, Iñigo Roa, and Enrique Saiz of St George's English School in Bilbao. Their project, a website (http://www.refugees.site90.com), greatly impressed the judges.

All winners will convene in Brussels on July 8 to present their projects in the European Parliament, and later in the summer will embark on trips to refugee projects in Europe. The winners of the under-19 category will visit projects in Malta, accompanied by personnel from JRS Malta, while the winners of the under-16 category will visit a summer camp for young landmine victims in Macedonia.

At this point, JRS Europe would like to thank everyone who participated in the Pedro Arrupe Award 2008/2009, in particular, all the staff in Jesuit schools across Europe who encouraged their students to take part in the competition, Jesuit Provincials throughout Europe who offered their support, JRS country offices and contact persons who provided constant backing, and Paul Yperman, the President of the Jesuit European Committee for Secondary Education.

Also, special thanks goes to the three external judges of the competition, Ms Vanessa Saenen (UNHCR Media Officer for Benelux and EU institutions), Dermott O'Connor SJ (assistant to the Jesuit European Provincial), and Wolfgang Felber SJ, (representative from OCIPE - the Jesuit European Office).

The Pedro Arrupe Award is an educational project for students in Jesuit secondary schools in Europe. The award aims to promote understanding and tolerance for refugees and forced migrants by engaging young people creatively in the issue.

Michael Donohoe
JRS Europe Media Officer

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