The International Polar Foundation awarded the French-speaking school "Lycée Berlaymont" the IPF special prize during the Energy and Environment Award 2007 ceremony on Friday June 1st.
The Energy and Environment Award 2007 is a yearly event aiming to raise public awareness about various innovative projects of environmental concern. The contest is open to Belgian participants, whether individuals or professionals.
A series of prizes were awarded for outstanding projects and achievements during this special ceremony held at the Brussels Autoworld. Each winner received a trophy and certificate. After a speech by Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt, the IPF awarded its special prize to The Lycée Berlaymont, located in Waterloo. "The Lycée of Berlaymont was chosen because the school presented sustainability in its efforts to help the environment and because these efforts were not merely a one-time deal", says IPF director Thierry Touchais.
The project started out by a simple sorting of the school's trash, but ended up with an energy efficiency program which involved the whole school on a voluntary basis. The school's project offers a good example of environmental action and constitutes a good initiative in helping to fight the climate challenge. Moreover, the project is educationally beneficial on the long term, and has been publicly informative.
This private initiative celebrated its second edition. After having started out in Wallonia last year, it grew successfully to include the entire country. The next objective will be to involve the rest of Europe.
