TEACHERS can encourage pupils to become critical consumers, healthier eaters and aware of what product labels mean through the European Young Consumer competition. Teams of primary and secondary children and their teachers are asked to produce a website, video or magazine on the themes of “how to make labelling more user-friendly” and “how to promote a healthy lifestyle through a balanced diet”. European Schoolnet, the partnership of 23 European ministries of education which is organising the competition, says the project could involve citizenship, biology, science, home economics and physical education. Prizes will be awarded in each country and national winners are then judged for the overall European prize. There is a total of E180,000 to be won. Entries must be submitted by May 9, 2003.

http:youngconsumer.eun.org