2006 People to People International Student Ambassadors Summit
On Monday 16th October, Eltham College welcomed 109 visiting American students, a further 11 visiting staff and three visiting speakers for the 2006 People to People International Summit. This is the second year the school has supported this organisation (see http://www.studentambassadors.org/ for more details) and we hope that this will prove an enduring and valuable relationship for future generations of students, both here and in the United States.
The day began with a reception for the visiting speakers with the Headmaster and representatives of the Eltham College student body. Thereafter, the delegation retreated to the ABH to discuss the relationship between economic growth and protection of the environment. Before getting stuck into 
that, however, the summit was treated to a highly informative and unusually entertaining introduction to the British Political System from Derek Conway, the Conservative MP for Bexley and Sidcup. Mr Conway owed his wealth of material to a successful political career beginning with his election to Parliament in 1983. Thereafter, he rose swiftly through the ranks, making Assistant Government Whip in 1993. A year later he was later promoted to Lord Commissioner to the Treasury (a 'full whip') before becoming Vice Chamberlain of HM Household in 1996. Mr Conway was introduced by Patrick Nicholls, formerly MP for Teignbridge and Shadow spokesman for Agriculture (1998-2000) and Culture (1997-1998).
Delivering an address on environmental issues was Bernard Mercer, the chief executive of New Philanthropy Capital. In its short history, NPC has advised on the spending of over £20mn of private capital in philanthropic causes, ranging from special needs education to cancer research to community organisations. NPC is also deeply committed to environmental causes and Mr Mercer’s address stood as evidence not only to his in-depth knowledge but also to his deeply held convictions.
With the formal speeches over, the summit broke for lunch before reconvening in the Chapel for a fairly robust debate on the motion: ‘This House believes that the quest for economic growth is being waged at the expense of the environment’. After an hour of entertaining and variously well-informed debate, the House concluded that it was too close to call and everyone seemed reasonably satisfied with this outcome - certainly, our visitors left with broad smiles.