Today marked a significant milestone for the ICS community and our partner institutions, as we successfully concluded our second annual Environmental Symposium. The event, a testament to our commitment to sustainability, saw over 80 students from local and international schools come together at the Gemeindesaal Zumikon, for a day of learning, discussion, and action.

The symposium was filled with inspiring presentations and interactive workshops led by our three distinguished guests: Lee Howell of the Villars Institute, Annabelle Jaggi representing Eco-Schools Switzerland, and Greg Holder from the Maldives Underwater Initiative. Students engaged deeply with topics ranging from systems thinking to effective communication in environmental advocacy, leaving the symposium with new skills and a renewed passion for environmental stewardship.

In another, related and very exciting development for our community, three of our students have been honoured with the title of 'Fellows' by the Villars Institute. This distinction recognises their leadership potential and commitment to sustainability. These students will participate in an online leadership course, culminating in a summer symposium at the Villars Institute, where they will collaborate with peers and experts from across Europe and beyond.

Parallel to the success of today’s symposium, we are proud to announce ICS Zurich's recent membership in the prestigious Eco Schools initiative. This global programme empowers students to drive change towards more sustainable practices within their schools and communities. As part of this initiative, our students have embarked on a multi-year project focusing on waste reduction, demonstrating their commitment to making a tangible impact on our environment.

We are immensely proud of what our students have achieved through the symposium and our recently embarked upon environmental initiatives. These efforts reflect our collective dedication to educating our students about the challenges facing our planet but also empowering them to be part of the solution. The collaboration and connection with students from other schools, especially the Swiss schools in our vicinity, added a rich dimension to the symposium. The collective energy and shared commitment of these schools underscore the power of coming together for a common cause.

As we celebrate the success of this inter-school initiative, we look forward to the continued impact of our students' actions and their contributions to a more sustainable future.