School pupils across Scotland are to be given the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of philanthropists.
School pupils across Scotland are to be given the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of philanthropists.
The offer comes under a scheme launched yesterday by the charity trust established by Scottish philanthropist Sir Ian Wood and his family.
Sir Ian said the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative, which will involve more than 9000 pupils in 50 schools by its third year, was designed to "create a new generation of caring and tolerant young citizens".
Pupils will work in small teams to consider the needs of their local community and identify grassroots social service charities which they believe make a difference.
As part of their personal and social education programme they will learn how to analyse the charity's management, budget, strategy and staffing arrangements.
They will build relationships with people involved in the charities and, having learned skills in advocacy and public speaking, will give presentations on why their proposed charity deserves a £3000 award, to go to the best team.
The initial presentation will be to classmates, who will decide which cause is most deserving. Each class will then compete to be named best in school, in a contest judged by teachers, pupils and possibly external representatives.
The project was launched by the Wood Family Trust and the Institute for Philanthropy at Kincorth Academy, in Aberdeen - where 10 schools are taking part in the first year.
"The Wood Family Trust's main investment focus in Scotland is the development of young people. We are especially interested in programmes which develop an understanding and tolerance of others as well as responsibility for the community," said Sir Ian. "Our ultimate goal is to help create a new generation of caring and tolerant young citizens."
He told the pupils: "My generation has probably lost its way in terms of really caring for humanity. We haven't been good at caring for our brothers, both in this country and across the world, and part of the hope of this new charity is that your generation will be different and will care."
More than 1500 pupils aged 14 to 16 are involved in the first year, with 10 charities to share £30,000.
By the third year, the number of pupils involved will have increased to more than 9000 from 50 secondary schools, engaging with charities which will benefit from a £150,000 pot.
The Youth and Philanthropy Initiative was set up in Canada by Julie Toskan Casale, founder of MAC Cosmetics. More than 200 schools there now participate.
It was launched in London last year, but the Scottish network is expected to grow faster, with the ultimate aim of covering all secondary schools.
Speaking to the pupils, Sir Ian told how he had built up his small family fishing business to a company which operates in 46 countries and employs 27,000. "So you can climb big mountains and cross wide seas from being born and brought up in Aberdeen," he said.
He explained that around 25% of the £50m his family trust plans to invest over the next five to 10 years will be in the UK, with around half of it dedicated to developing young people in Scotland.
After a question and answer session with the pupils, he said: "The initiative is a super project for Scotland and it is nice to be launching it locally. The community finishes up with a charity getting £3000, but much more importantly kids coming through schools are much more aware of charities.
"What the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative has found is that those who don't win continue to have a real interest in the charities they have been involved with and find other ways of raising money."
