The impact of the oil and gas industry on life in the north east and sub-Saharan Africa will be the focus of a new exhibition in the Aberdeen Maritime Museum.
The exhibition, which opens today, showcases films, comics and images created by school pupils aged 11 to 14 from the two regions, showing how the oil industry affects people in their daily lives.
Students from Graceland International School and Rumuomsi Community Secondary School made the work which represents daily life in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Pupils at Torry Academy and Robert Gordon’s College made artwork for Aberdeen City, while students at Alford Academy, Ellon Academy and Portlethen Academy worked on Aberdeenshire.
The project, which was organised by the Living Earth Foundation (LEF), has led to the development of new curriculum materials which address issues about oil and gas development, which is the predominant industry in both regions.
LEF programme officer Sarah Palmer said: “The LEF has been working with teachers in Aberdeen since around 2005, initially on a cultural exchange project between Aberdeen and Alaska, another oil producing area.
“What we noticed was a lack of confidence about teaching on global development issues.
“Pupils, teachers and community groups from Aberdeen and Nigeria have been at the heart of the Power Politics project, bringing to life challenging questions about living in a globalised world. Thanks to them, we have an exciting exhibition and learning materials, which we hope will inspire debate and discussion across the whole of Aberdeen City and Shire.”
The project was created to contribute to the European Commission’s objective of raising awareness about global development issues and enhancing relations between the European Union and developing countries.
Formal learning officer at Aberdeen Art Gallery and Museums, Lynsey Merrick, who helped set up the project, said: “Having been involved in this project for the past three years it is immensely satisfying to see all the hard work dovetail together in useful resources for schools and this wonderful exhibition.”
The project runs at the Aberdeen Maritime Museum until June 7.
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