Horizons

Environmental health: The natural, created and built environment has an influence on a child's wellbeing, according to new research which asked children to categorise and place in order of importance the things, people and places that affected their well being.

Children in primary and secondary schools in urban and rural areas ranked the environment/places as fifth out of 11 areas of their lives that influenced their wellbeing. Only family, friends, sports/teams and pets/animals ranked higher for the seven- to 15-year-olds who contributed to the research, which was presented earlier this week at the launch of the national set of child wellbeing indicators by the National Children's Office.

"The environment and specific places were important for children's sense of belonging, their attachment, security and serenity," said Dr Saoirse Nic Gabhainn, lecturer, Department of Health Promotion, University of Ireland, Galway. The findings from the study of children's understanding of wellbeing resulted in three indicators of wellbeing - environment/places, things to do and pets/animals being included in the final set of child wellbeing indicators which will now be used to look at the quality of life of children.

Eco-building conference

Sustainable housing is technically possible but is there the political will - and the planning laws - to make it happen? This will be the big debate at an eco-building conference at the Genesis Project, Somerset College of Arts and Technology on July 15th and 16th. Workshop themes include the sourcing and certifying of reclaimed materials for use in construction, cob-building projects around the world with a practical demonstration and setting up a code for sustainable building. The Genesis Project is the first centre in Britain to offer a foundation degree in sustainable construction. See www.aecb.net for conference booking details.

Recalling Michael Scott

An exhibition on the life and work of Michael Scott, arguably Ireland's most celebrated architect, runs at the Crawford Municipal Art Gallery, Emmet Place, Cork City until July 23rd. Entitled, Master of All the Muses, it has drawings and photographs of Michael Scott's most important buildings. An Abbey actor who abandoned the stage for architecture, he was also a leading patron of the arts. Buildings designed by him include Busáras, the Abbey Theatre and Geragh, his iconic house in Sandycove, Co Dublin. With film director John Huston, he established the James Joyce Museum in the Martello tower, Sandycove, Co Dublin. The exhibition is held as part of the Festival of Architecture, which is itself part of Cork's European Capital of Culture programme. See www.cork2005 and www.riai.ie.

Crafts in Clare

Ever wanted to learn how to build a dry stone wall? Or weave a basket? Or build a canoe? Just a sample of the skills and crafts that can be learned at the Summer in the Woods week in Bealkelly Woods, Tuamgraney, Co Clare from July 15th-21st. Many of the courses run from between two to four or six days. For full programme details, contact Centre for Environmental Living and Training (CELT), East Clare Community Co-op, Scariff: 061-640765 or info@celtnet.org.