Shaping a Sustainable Future… Abbey College Cambridge Hosts Successful Student-Led Conference

Ambitious students from Abbey College Cambridge have hosted a highly successful conference on the theme of ‘sustainability’, welcoming students from local and international schools for the anticipated event.

Sixty students joined together for the occasion, including attendees from The Perse, St Bede’s, Cambridge Academy for Science and Technology (CAST), and Gymnazium Banska Bystrica, a visiting school from Slovakia, alongside Abbey College Cambridge students from Year 9, 12 and 13.

From planning and organising, to presenting and moderating, the Abbey College Cambridge cohort took charge of every aspect of the event. To discuss the all-important subject, a trio of inspirational guest speakers took the stage; Ann Finlayson, the CEO of Sustainability and Environmental Education (SEEd), Naheed Bardal, the Principal of UWC Atlantic College, a leading international school in Wales focused on fostering global understanding and sustainability and Bruce Liggitt, the Senior Conservation Casework Officer at the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), made a profound and long-lasting impact on the students.

The three speakers shared a clear message: tackling global environmental challenges requires collaboration, not division. Ann Finlayson’s passion for the role of learning in sustainability, emphasising that it should be about real people, real opportunities, and real responsibilities, resonated with students. Naheed Barai’s championing of experimental learning, diversity and student empowerment inspired attendees to address global challenges and drive positive change in their communities. Bruce Liggitt’s insightful message highlighted success stories from sustainable agriculture, biodiversity, conservation and environmental protection initiatives, inviting students to consider what positive impacts they too can make.

Following the guest speaker sessions, students worked in mixed groups, collaborating to address sustainability issues and preparing their presentations to share with the wider conference cohort.

Showcasing their support for the environment further, the Abbey College Cambridge students arranged for each attendee to receive a memoir from the event, a sustainable bookmark which when planted, will grow wildflowers.

Abbey College Cambridge Principal Dr Elena Hesse said: “We are exceptionally proud of our diligent and passionate students for staging such a spectacular event. The engagement throughout the conference, especially during the group discussions and interactive tasks, was inspiring.

“Our student-led conferences are one of the many avenues for our students to develop their critical thinking and leadership skills. In addition to providing a platform for students to showcase those skills, the conferences also give them the valuable opportunity to collaborate with peers from diverse cultural backgrounds, and address pressing global issues and propose innovative solutions. It is through these experiences that we are learning to lead not just within the college, but on a global scale too.”