The Isle of Man Government is set to work in partnership with the One World Centre to raise awareness of global development issues among local people.

The charity has been awarded ?30,000 as the first recipient of the Government’s new Global Development Education and Awareness Grant.

The funding will support work in schools and the wider community to highlight issues including poverty, injustice and the environment. It will also promote a deeper understanding of the Island’s contribution to international development.

The One World Centre’s annual activities include the Fairtrade Primary School Conference, where pupils gather to learn about the importance of Fairtrade for farmers and producers in developing countries, and the annual Global Village on Tynwald Day, a celebration of the diverse cultures represented in the Isle of Man.

The new grant is part of the international development budget and will be awarded on an annual basis to an Isle of Man-registered charity to support engagement and education programmes.

Director of the One World Centre, Rosemary Clarke, said: ‘The One World Centre is delighted to receive this grant from the Government. It enables us to continue our vital work in helping to prepare our young people for life in a constantly changing world and to develop empathy for those whose situations are very different from our lives here.’

Chief Minister, Howard Quayle MHK, commented: ‘The Isle of Man continues to play its part in efforts to create a better future for all the world’s citizens. One of the objectives of our international development funding is to support the voluntary sector in raising awareness of global development issues among the local population.’