Brussels bound

Hunnain and Calum are looking forward to their Euro trip.

After their success in an essay-writing contest, Calum MacRae and Hunnain Sohail will travel to Brussels next month to view the European parliament in action.

The 16-year-old pupils from Woodfarm High will leave on July 2 and spend two days at the parliament after they wrote winning essays for the European Alliance/Committee of Regions secondary schools competition.

Calum said: “It’s a great opportunity. It’s not something that everyone gets a chance to do.”

Hunnain added: “We’re really looking forward to it.”

Stewart Maxwell MSP, who nominated Woodfarm High school to represent Scotland in the contest, said: “I was delighted to have the opportunity to nominate Woodfarm High School to take part in the competition through my role as Vice President of the EA group in the Committee of the Regions.

“Calum and Hunnain will do fantastic job as ambassadors for Scotland and East Renfrewshire on their visit to Brussels, where they will be giving a presentation to other winners about the local area and the school.

“It’s a great opportunity for the pupils to see first-hand how the European Parliament works, and I look forward to meeting them both in Brussels next month.”

Entrants were asked to write their views on how young people can promote European citizenship: this year is the European Year of Citizens and is dedicated to the rights that come with EU citizenship.

The boys centred their essays on how their school — and the Scottish curriculum as a whole — could help promote European citizenship within schools.

The trip will focus on the work of the Committee of Regions: a group within the European Union that consists of representatives from across Europe who come together to discuss policy.

Of the four representatives Scotland has on the committee, two are East Ren councillors: Tony Buchanan and Barbara Grant.

Convener for education and equalities, councillor Elaine Green, said: “Many congratulations to both Hunnain and Calum on their achievement.

“I hope they enjoy the experience of seeing the work of the parliament first hand.”