Controversial Conversations – Part One: Palm Oil

Wayne Talbot FRSA has been working with school groups around Cambridge on getting a conversation about Palm Oil and the implications of its use going. The young people aged 12 to 17 have been exploring the issues before discussing their ideas with industry, conservation and policy representatives at a final event. The project was initiated with support from RSA Central and the Fellowship programme, after young people were expressing an interest in the palm oil debate.

Building up to a final event the participants have explored the complexity of the issues, understanding different viewpoints, trying ideas out and coming up with solutions. The pilot will culminate with young people coming together later this year to discuss their ideas and findings with local Fellows, Edible Oils Collaboration and IUCN representatives. The outcome will be a position paper produced by the participants on the sustainable use of palm oil. We will share the paper and a report through the RSA network so you can see what young people are thinking. The project will be evaluated before initiating future conversations on controversial issues defined by policy makers and young people.

Please contact [email protected] if you’d like to know more, or if you’re interested in attending the final event on 14th November, or if you have a suggestion for future conversations that would benefit from a youth perspective.