St Aloysius' College Sixth Form student Clara Mangion and assistant head of co-curricular activities Vanessa Portanier Mifsud visited Zambia last month at the invitation of European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid Louis Michel.

Ms Mangion was the winner of last year's Development Youth Prize competition and she attended a prize-giving ceremony in Strasbourg, France, last November with Ms Portanier Mifsud and runner-up Elaine Bonavia, also from St Aloysius' College Sixth Form, where they met students and teachers from all EU member states. It was at this ceremony that Mr Michel invited winners and accompanying teachers to travel with him to Zambia.

In Zambia, participants were shown several development co-operation projects. Highlights included visits to David Kaunda High School and Kafue Vocational Training Project. Participants were also given a warm welcome by Zambia President Rupiah Banda, who gave a speech on the challenges facing Zambia and called on European teachers to help by teaching in African countries. A cruise on the Zambezi River and a visit to Victoria Falls were two other highlights.

The Development Youth Prize is organised by European Schoolnet and supported by the European Commission's DG Development.