Pupils from five schools, stretching from the Outer Hebrides to Edinburgh, travelled to Paris this week to take part in the Franco-British Youth Ocean Conference, a bilingual summit organised by the British Council in partnership with the French Ministry of Education and the French Development Agency.
The two-day conference took place at the French Development Agency building, La Mistral, in the heart of Paris, simulating the UN's Conference of the Parties (COP) climate negotiations under the theme of the UN's Sustainable Development Goal ‘Life Below Water’. The conference set out to give young people the chance to collaborate internationally, develop language skills, and contribute to environmental action.
Working in bilingual teams with French partner schools, pupils represented different nations and sectors as they negotiated solutions to ocean challenges.
The conference opened with speeches from the French Development Agency and the British Council, before the floor was handed to pupils. Despite early nerves, delegations delivered opening speeches setting out their priorities, a test of both their language skills and their research about climate policy.
For many, it was their first time in Paris and their first experience of French culture. By the end of the first day, pupils were deep in official ‘corridor discussions’, debating priorities and forming alliances ahead of final negotiations.
Vivian, a pupil at Craigroyston Community High School in Edinburgh, said: "It's been great working with our French partners. We met them for dinner on the first day in Paris to break the ice and get to know each other. It helped us feel relaxed and prepared for the negotiations."
The Scottish pupils, all studying French, used their language skills throughout from formal negotiations to building relationships with their French teammates. For some, it was their first experience of using French in a professional, real-world setting and even their first time travelling outside the UK.
Eilidh, a pupil at Castlebay Community School on the Isle of Barra, said: "It's my first time abroad, it was quite scary to begin with, but I've really enjoyed being in Paris. Growing up on Barra, the sea is part of everyday life, so debating how to protect it felt like something I should be part of. It’s also been great to step into other people’s shoes and view the climate arguments from all angles."
The French Government has declared 2025 its "Year of the Sea," following June's UN Ocean Conference in Nice and COP30 in Brazil. The ocean theme carries particular significance for Scotland, where around 90 per cent of the nation's territory is sea. With more than 18,000 kilometres of coastline and over 900 islands, most Scots live within 10 kilometres of the water.
Calum, a pupil at St Ninian's High School in East Renfrewshire, said:
"It's almost like the real thing and we're taking it very seriously. Being in Paris is completely different from being in Glasgow, and we've eaten a lot of croissants at breakfast! But it's been great to experience it in real life, practising our French, switching between languages, and making friends with the French pupils. Scotland's done well on things like renewable energy, but there's more we could do. Also, events like this help bring Britain and France closer together."
The five Scottish schools were chosen from 46 applicants: Castlebay Community School (Eilean Siar), Craigroyston Community High School (Edinburgh), Denny High School (Falkirk), Kilwinning Academy (North Ayrshire) and St Ninian's High School (East Renfrewshire). Each sent six pupils and two teachers to the fully-funded conference.
Claire de Braekeleer, Director, British Council Scotland, said: "These pupils are discovering what language learning can really do. This week they're not just practising their French, they're using it to negotiate, persuade, and build relationships with young people from another country.
"Ocean protection matters deeply to Scotland and having our young people at the table for these conversations, debating alongside their French counterparts, feels significant especially in the wake of COP30. This conference gives them a genuine voice on an international stage."
Scotland's Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy, Gillian Martin MSP, sent a video message to open the conference, congratulating pupils on their selection. (Watch here)
The schools will continue partnerships with their French counterparts for the next year, working on projects together and sharing their learning with local communities. The conference continues the British Council's work building trust and understanding through arts, education and language learning.
ENDS