A popular annual awards programme dedicated to the memory of Anne Frank has drawn to a close with a special ceremony held in Aberdeen.
The GREC Anne Frank Awards 2015, organised by Grampian Regional Equality Council, welcomed entries from primary and secondary schools from across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray.
Around 100 schoolchildren attended this year’s ceremony which was held at Cineworld, Union Square in Aberdeen, on Friday, June 12 - which would have marked Anne Frank’s 86th birthday.
Established in 1994, the awards scheme celebrates diversity, equality and human rights. This year’s event was again supported by Aberdeen-based commercial and office cleaning specialist, CSG.
Aberdeen politician Lewis Macdonald, MSP for North East Scotland, assisted with the presentation of the awards. Mr MacDonald said: “I was delighted to attend the recent GREC Anne Frank Awards, and to see the impact this project has on young people in the north-east.
“My involvement with GREC goes back 30 years, when I was the first employee of the Grampian Community Relations Council, and I have continued to support their work as an MSP.
“The Anne Frank Awards are an excellent initiative, and it is clear just how much the pupils got out of their involvement. I would encourage schools across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire to take part next year.”
Adriana Sokolowska, awards coordinator at GREC, said: “We were delighted with the high standard of submissions by pupils of all ages, while everyone seemed to thoroughly enjoy the opportunity to present their work via the big screen.
“I’d personally like to thank all the schools, volunteers and sponsors who helped make this year’s event such a success. We are already making plans for next year’s event and welcoming applications from schools across the whole of the north-east.”
Alan Merchant, chairman of awards supporter CSG, said: “Once again it proved to be a fantastic event and I’d like to pay credit to all the pupils who took part and presented their work. Our company is pleased to continue our support of this extremely worthwhile initiative, which celebrates the excellent work being done in north-east schools to promote diversity.”
The ceremony showcased a selection of entries from schools with all age groups represented from early primary years through to senior secondary. Film and PowerPoint entries were broadcast on Cineworld’s large screen, while all participating pupils received a certificate for their efforts.
The GREC Anne Frank Awards is an initiative encouraging schools to salute the moral courage of just one of millions who suffered as a result of Nazi persecution. Anne Frank died in a concentration camp, aged just 15-years old.
It encourages primary and secondary pupils to contribute towards diversity, awareness and equality in any number of ways – via artwork, poetry and drama or the production of DVDs and multimedia presentations, through to dance, cultural studies and awareness weeks.
For further information please visit www.grec.co.uk, email schools@grec.co.uk or call 01224 595505.