I really enjoyed taking part in a ‘Balloon Debate’ as part of the Festival of Ideas. The topic was ‘What is humanity’s greatest innovation?’. Six enthusiastic year eights prepared speeches on their own answers to the question. We spoke about a range of innovations: the internet, music, the toilet, democracy, human rights and women’s rights. I was surprised and pleased to win the vote – my topic was human rights, which I believe are mankind’s greatest invention as all other innovations and ideas are based on the right to freedom of expression. All our daily actions are affected by human rights – and we see, all over the news how, but not often why, these rights are being violated and deprived of people all over the world. This includes homophobia, sexism and racism - it needs to stop. By respecting and valuing people’s human rights properly then all of these things can begin to be challenged and solved.
Maddie Whitmore, 8D