Learn to Live: Sadiq Khan calls on all Londoners to get behind our 'fantastic' campaign

London mayor encourages schools in the capital to forge links with classrooms around the world

Sadiq Khan on Monday called on all Londoners to support The Independent’s “fantastic” campaign to link British schoolchildren with those in war zones across the world.

The London mayor praised the Learn to Live campaign and urged people to remember children living in areas of conflict, saying they deserve “our unconditional compassion, as well as our solidarity and support”.

The Learn to Live project is connecting children in London schools with those living in a Syrian refugee camp, the Central African Republic and Iraq.

It will then expand to link children outside of London with youngsters in other war zones.

The aim is to increase empathy and understanding between children of diverse backgrounds, and ensure those who have lived through unimaginable horrors are not forgotten.

Today Mr Khan urged people to find out more about how they can personally support the campaign.

He said: “Children living in areas of conflict deserve our unconditional compassion, as well as our solidarity and support.

“That’s why, joining forces with the charity War Child, I’m pleased to support the Evening Standard and the Independent’s campaign.

“Together, we hope to connect students in London with children living in conflict zones overseas, giving young Londoners the chance to gain an insight into the challenges and hardships that others around the world can face.”

The campaign has already won the backing of actors Vanessa Kirby and Carey Mulligan, singer Sam Smith and secretary of state for international development Penny Mordaunt.

Love Actually creator Richard Curtis has also given his backing to the scheme, calling himself a “huge supporter” of it.

Mr Khan added: “London is one of the most prosperous and vibrant cities anywhere in the world.

“And as someone born and raised in our great capital, I – like all Londoners – feel incredibly privileged to call it my home.

“But we must always remember that across the globe today, there are millions of people who don’t enjoy the security, benefits and opportunities that come with living in a great global city like ours.

“People whose lives are blighted by war and the chaos and poverty that accompany it.

“Not through any fault of their own, but simply because they were born in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

We must always remember that across the globe today, there are millions of people who don’t enjoy the security, benefits and opportunities that come with living in a great global city like ours

Sadiq Khan, London mayor

The Independent’s Learn to Live campaign is focussing on four London schools which are spearheading the movement. Pupils there have already sent video messages to their counterparts abroad and they are beginning to learn about each other’s lives.

We are encouraging other schools to get involved by joining the Connecting Classrooms through Global Learning project.

This is a scheme run by the British Council with the Department for International Development, which offers similar opportunities.

Through it schools are twinned and can apply for funding for reciprocal visits, and pupils complete shared projects.