The Malta Independent on Sunday
HSBC Malta Foundation supports students to showcase climate action art in first ever ESG exhibition at Parliament
Students attending the seven schools that make up the St Ignatius College network have provided a stark reminder of the urgent need for climate action through a thoughtprovoking exhibition at the House of Representatives in Valletta.
Titled ESD for ESG the exhibition is the first of its kind and includes works focusing on environmental, social and governance issues. It offers a reality check on the current climate crisis. The artworks revolved around seven of the 17 UNESCO goals for sustainable development.
A total of 160 students from across the seven schools took part in the initiative which saw the young artists produce 70 works, ranging from traditional drawing and painting to three dimensional models.
The exhibition was organised by St Ignatius College head of College Network Dr Doreen
Said Pace, with the support of the college’s senior leadership team and in collaboration with the Art Department, Directorate for Learning and Assessment Programmes and the HSBC Malta Foundation.
Strategically placed inside Parliament, the exhibition served as a reminder for lawmakers about the younger generation’s desire for a clean and prosperous future.
Addressing the launch of the exhibition, the Speaker of the House, Anġlu Farrugia shared his thoughts on the works, noting in them elements of human suffering, a desire for peace and respect for fundamental human rights and liberties.
“Many years have passed since the end of the last world war, but sadly, we have remained too egoistic. Our hope lies with you, the younger generation. I hope that you will be more able to do what is right for the good
of everyone. We must work together to persuade others to choose peace and love over selfishness and suffering,” the Speaker said.
The launch was also addressed by Clifton Grima, Minister for Education, Sports, Youth and Research and Innovation; Justin Schembri, Shadow Minister for Education, Sports, Youth and Research and Innovation; Michel Cordina, executive director and head of Business Development at HSBC Bank Malta and Doreen Said Pace, head of St Ignatius College Network.
“HSBC Malta has been at the forefront of promoting the adoption of ESG practices across Malta’s corporate landscape. Our support for the exhibition stems from the HSBC Malta Foundation’s desire to bring ESG issues to the forefront of public discourse,” said Glenn Bugeja, Corporate Sustainability manager for HSBC.
“We are proud to support this outstanding initiative showcasing the powerful messages behind these works of art. We strongly believe that the discussion about ESG needs to take place all across society and not just in company boardrooms. It is also absolutely essential that the process involves the younger generations, as they have the potential to be the driving force behind serious change,” added Cordina.