Schoolchildren's 'Eyes of the World' art installation sends powerful message to G7 leaders

Eyes of the World G7 Summit, Cornwall

Thousands of schoolchildren from Cornwall, Devon and Dorset have created a massive 'Eyes of the World' art installation, to send a message to Boris Johnson and the G7 world leaders that they want to see action on the climate crisis and for everyone to be safe from Covid by being vaccinated.

Unveiled on the opening day of the G7 summit at St Mary's Catholic Primary School in Falmouth, the giant artwork was comprised of thousands of eyes, handcrafted by children across the region.

One pupil said: "My message to G7 leaders is that the eyes of the world are watching them, so are all the young people, to make sure they make the right decisions."

Another pupil added: "My message to the world leaders is that they shouldn't just talk about climate change, they actually need to do something about it !"

The installation was created in collaboration with CAFOD. Each eye included messages for the summit leaders, ranging from calls to stop the climate crisis, to making sure everyone has a Covid vaccine, and that those living in poverty are cared for.

Mrs Demelza Bolton, Executive Headteacher at St Mary's, said: "My messages to world leaders is we know that when countries come together great things can happen quickly such as the vaccine. We would like the world leaders to come together, discuss really important issues, care for our common home and support for the poor communities who are suffering most around the world."

Simon Giarchi, CAFOD's local representative from Plymouth, shared how inspiring the artwork has been for the whole community: "Pupils from across Cornwall, Devon, and Dorset are truly inspirational and deeply committed to raising their voices during this historic summit.

"The incredible support from schools' communities and young people is visibly huge today, showing world leaders that the eyes of local people, and indeed the world, are on them as they make decisions which will affect us all today, and for future generations.

"We'd like to say thanks to DS Smith, who supplied the recycled material to create this stunt. And say that none of this would hve been possible without the fantastical support and hardwood of the children and staff at CAST Schools across Devon and Cornwall."

In the run-up to COP26, the UN climate conference being hosted by the UK in Glasgow this November, CAFOD expects thousands more pupils will get involved in the 'Eyes of the World' campaign, calling on the Prime Minister to support the world's marginalised and vulnerable communities affected by the climate crisis.