KEY issues affecting global citizenship were discussed by a group of tenacious sixthformers during a prestigious annual debate in central London.

Eight youngsters from Forest School, in Snaresbrook, got to air their views on the subject - and a range of other issues - during the Margaret Quass debate at Commonwealth House.

The event, which was organised by the Citizenship Foundation and attended by more than 50 youngsters from across the capital - is held each year in memory of the influential former educationalist who died in 2003.

The Forest pupils, Oshien Sheedy, Helen Pierpoint, Rose Spence, Rita Lindsay, Jack Brophy, Benjamin Hayes, Devan Raval and Zohair Hassan posed a range of inciteful questions to a panel of experts including the Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth and the head of Oxfam in the UK.

Ms Sheedy said: "In this setting, (we) raised pressing issues about global citizenship.

"The very nature of what it means to be a global citizen was raised as a point of discussion. (We) debated about whom they consider to be important global figures, (with) some affirming that Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan were key figures in encouraging free global trade and prosperity.

"On the other hand, other more contemporary leaders such as Obama were mentioned, raising the topic of his controversial receipt of the Nobel Peace Prize.

"Inevitably, in the light of the Copenhagen Conference, a debate on global warming ensued.

"This sparked off a heated conflict between keen environmentalists supporting the theory and those labeled 'heretics' who believed such claims were misleading.

"The event gave (us) a priceless insight into the world of global politics. (We) look forward to taking part in many more such exciting events with a fresh perspective."

For more information on the debate visit: citizenshipfoundation.org.uk