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Alex Barry wins Young Economist of the Year 2021 for Colaiste Chiarain
Young Economist of the Year 2021 – Principal Gerard O’Sullivan and Student Alex Barry and Business Teacher Mr. Martin Murphy pictured above. Alex won for his project which focused on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on climate action.
Alex Barry wins Young Economist of the Year 2021 for Colaiste Chiarain
Colaiste Chiarain student Alex Barry has won the Young Economist of the Year 2021 for his project which focused on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on climate action.
The Young Economist of the Year competition or YEOTY, as it has become affectionately known, is developing into a significant national awards event for the enjoyment and promotion of economics. Commencing in 2013, the initiative has grown from strength to strength with an increasing number of participants and an improved level of quality each
year. It now attracts in the region of one thousand entries each year from over two hundred post primary schools across the country.
Coláiste Chiaráin’s run of gold medal winners at the Young Economist of the Year National Finals continued this year with Alex Barry following in the footsteps of previous gold medal winners to complete a “Four in a Row”! The focus of Alex’s project was on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on climate action. Alex worked on his project submission during the lockdown period in the early months of this year and was awarded a gold medal standard for his research. Alex has been shortlisted for further awards which are due to be announced during an online awards ceremony. At the time of writing this online awards ceremony hasyet to take place but we are looking forward to this occasion at the end of May.
Congratulations to @colaiste's Alex Barry on adding to his gold medal by securing 2nd place in the Senior Environmental and Sustainability Category in the 2021 Young Economist of the Year Awards that were held online tonight ?Well done to Alex and to mentor teacher Mr. Murphy! pic.twitter.com/rhIhVZCEi4
— CCO Business Department (@ccobusiness) May 20, 2021
When asked about the rationale for his project Alex explained that his idea for the project stemmed from him learning what regenerative development is and how we need to start introducing regenerative development into the mainstream. He was also inspired by how Covid-19 is harming but also healing the planet over the past year. Alex wanted to investigate what the Government has been doing for the environment before and during the pandemic, and how we can increase our sustainability and eco-friendliness.
Alex found out about the Young Economist of The Year Competition through his Economics teacher, Mr. Martin Murphy, and he decided to apply and base his project on the topics that concerned him. He is hopeful that his project will reach more people and increase their knowledge on how we can achieve our Climate Action Targets in the 21st Century.
Alex followed in the footsteps of current 6th year Economics students Eimear Hickey and Martyna Skorecka. Eimear and Martyna secured a gold medal in the 2020 Young Economist of the Year national finals and finished 3rd overall in the 5th year category.
Principal Gerard O’Sullivan commented that he is delighted to see Alex receive this gold medal award, “it is an excellent acknowledgement and well earned reward for the hard work that Alex applied to this project at a very challenging time throughout lockdown. He went on to comment “It is heartening to see our students showing interest and tackling issues that are so important on a local, national and global scale.
In this project Alex investigated the impact of COVID-19 on our Climate Action Targets. In Coláiste Chiaráin we are fortunate to have a really dynamic business department who have not mentored students to achieve gold medals in this award for four years in a row. Well done Alex, well done to all concerned.”
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