Columban 'Biodiversity Matters' Competition winners

Winning image in Britain: Love of the World by Chidera Anyakora

Winners have been announced in a media competition for young people on the subject 'Biodiversity Matters,' run by the Columban Missionary Society in Britain and Ireland. The announcement day - 21 March - is the UN's International Day of Forests.

Young people 13-18 years were asked to produce a piece of writing or image that demonstrates an awareness and understanding of the issue of biodiversity and highlight people, communities and/or organisations trying to build a sustainable future. Protecting biodiversity - which humanity relies on for health, food and well-being - is a mission priority of Columban missionaries.

The competition attracted 223 entries across Britain and Ireland.

In Britain, entries from 29 schools were judged by media experts who praised the high quality of all the entries shortlisted: Ruth Gledhill (Assistant Editor at The Tablet), Josephine Siedlecka (Founder and Editor of Independent Catholic News - ICN), Jao Resari (Columban lay missionary in Taiwan and an artist), and James Trewby (Columban Education Worker). Mary Colwell, author and champion for curlew recovery and nature education provided expertise on the theme. "We were very happy with the quality of entries and I was amazed at their energy and thoughtfulness," said James Trewby, Columban Education Worker in Britain.

In Britain, the winning article came from Austin Beenham of Holy Cross Catholic High School in Chorley, Lancashire. It was described by Ruth Gledhill of The Tablet as "an outstanding piece which incorporates calls to action, strong arguments and personal experience along with knowledge and accurate citation of Catholic Social Thought." Austin himself said, "I am very thankful that I have been able to raise awareness on the biodiversity crisis and hopefully made a difference." Second and third were Anna Cookson of Notre Dame Sixth Form College in Leeds and Sarah Ashcroft of Loreto Grammer School in Altrincham. Becki Bradbury of the RE Department at Loreto, one of many RE teachers who promoted the competition, said, "we feel that the competition has allowed our students to fully consider the issue of biodiversity within our world and engage with Pope Francis' Laudato Si' letter which serves as a reminder to all of us how important care for our common home is."

With her winning image, Chidera Anyakora, also from the Loreto School in Altrincham, said, "In this piece I wanted to present a diverse range of wildlife that mirrors the diverse and unique nature of our world as biodiversity can come in different forms." Judge Mary Colwell said: "I really liked the imaginative approach and the message. By using the image of a heart wrapped in nature, it made the point that saving the natural world is as much about the heart as about rational thinking and science. That is the message of Laudato Si, too. And I like the variety of creatures used." Second and third image winners were Megan-Rose Ibus of Loreto College in St Albans and Charlotte Moyes of St Edward's in Poole. Charlotte said that in her hourglass drawing, "I wanted to show how time was ticking and that we urgently need to make a change and raise awareness about the impact we are having on biodiversity and that we should all play our part to protect our planet for future generations."

In Ireland, judges included William Scholes (Assistant Editor of the Irish News), Patsy McGarry (Irish Times), Jane Mellett (Church Outreach Manager with Trócaire), Fr Jason Antiquera (Columban missionary-artist from the Philippines), and Fr Sean McDonagh (Columban priest, ecologist and author, who has long campaigned for the protection of Biodiversity).

In Ireland, the text winners were Clíodhna McKeever of St Catherine's College, Armagh who secured first place; Conn Fyfe of St Louis Grammar School, Ballymena who came second; and Anna McQuillan of St Dominic's, Belfast who came third. Image winners were Alanah Mckenzie of St Paul's Secondary School, Dublin who was awarded first prize; Keelin Bellemand of Le Cheile Secondary School, Tyrrelstown, Dublin was came second; and Róise Curtin of Loreto Secondary School Clonmel who came third.

Speaking about the winning images, Columban artist, Fr Jason Antiquera paid tribute to, "the richness of images and the depth of colours in the striking artwork". He added: "My message to all, both to the participants and the winners, is to persevere in their art because it is needed. Even when sometimes it is rejected or does not have audience - it has worth and it still has an impact - the future belongs to artists like them." Jane Mellett of Trócaire, an expert on Laudato Si' and biodiversity, said she was "so impressed with all of the finalists" and described the competition as "a great initiative".

The Columbans thanked all the young people who entered the 2024 competition and the judging panel. Former Columban competitions have focused on Climate Change, Migration, Throwaway Culture, Racism, 21st Century Changemakers and Peace.

Full list of winners and judges at: www.columbancompetition.com/