Coleraine primary school declared winners in Concern Worldwide Primary Debates final at Stormont

Millburn Primary in Coleraine took part in the Concern Worldwide Primary Debates final in Stormont’s Long Gallery. They faced last year’s winners Bunscoil Mhic Reachtain from north Belfast.

Students from Millburn successfully defeated the motion for the debate that universal internet access should be the world’s top goal in 2026.

Journalist Jane Corbin, who has worked for BBC Panorama, and who is an ambassador for Concern Worldwide, attended the event, along with peace activist Monica McWilliams and Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick.

Sharon Lamont, principal of Millburn Primary School, said they were “thrilled and delighted” to have won this year’s competition.

"We’re proud of our children every day, but on a day like this, we are glowing with pride," she said.

“The confidence, independence and clarity with which they presented themselves is a symbol of what is possible with our school children. We’re expecting huge celebrations once we get back to school.”

This is the second year of the primary school debates in Northern Ireland, organised by international humanitarian development organisation Concern Worldwide.

Last year, Bunscoil Mhic Reachtain won the competition and took part in a special award ceremony in Dublin to recognise former Irish President Michael D Higgins’ lifelong dedication to global justice.

The Concern Debates programme was started in 1984 to encourage post-primary school students to research, discuss and think critically about global issues. That was expanded to include primary school pupils in 2024.

The Global Citizenship Education programme run by Concern encourages school teams to debate issues such as poverty and climate change with volunteer judges deciding which team wins.

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