Maltese students will take on policy makers for a Parliamentary debate on Climate Change and Intercultural Dialogue on 9th May marking the European feast day celebrating peace, unity and prosperity.
Chaired by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the debate will include ministers, Members of Parliament, representatives of environmental non-governmental organisations and Maltese Members of the European Parliament who will answer questions put by students. On their part, the students will try to secure a commitment from the policy makers on how they would be tackling the Climate Change challenge and also seeking to foster Intercultural Dialogue.
Announced this morning during a news conference held at the European Parliament Valletta Office, the Europe Day Parliamentary Debate will be followed by a prize-giving ceremony and the raising of flags of the 27 EU Member States and the EU flag at the Palace Court Yard in the presence of President Eddie Fenech Adami.
At 8am that same morning, a number of schools, starting from Birzebbuga and continuing with other schools around the islands, will switch off their electricity supplies for 15 minutes to link everyday electricity usage to the effects of Climate Change.
The Europe Day activities will be the culmination of a series of events that has been organised for school children from Malta and Gozo by a number of entities including the European Parliament Valletta Office, the European Commission Representation in Malta, Forum Malta fl-Ewropa, the Directorate for Educational Services within the Education Ministry and Europe Direct.
St James' Cavalier, as the national coordinator for the Year for Intercultural Dialogue 2008, Nature Trust and the French Embassy to Malta are also contributing in different ways.
Since the beginning of April, in fact, students have been speaking on a radio programme, watching films, visiting the Institute for Energy Technology, a Water Services Corporation desalination plant, the Met Office and Nature Trust's nature park in Xrobb l-Għaġin to learn more about climate change.
Through films, a poster competition, football training sessions with foreign footballers and cooking lessons, other classes have delved into the value of intercultural dialogue - the other central theme chosen this year by the organisations involved in the Spring Day and Europe Day celebrations, given the emphasis which Europe lays on the value of dialogue between people of different backgrounds, beliefs and ethnicities.
On 10th May, the European Parliament Football Festival's second session will be held at the Centenary Stadium in Ta' Qali. That same morning students visiting the Institute of Tourism Study will get an insight into preparing dishes which belong to different cultures.
On 14th May, a group of students will be shown onboard the 'Fleur de Lampaul' ship berthed at Grand Harbour where they will hear about the importance of biodiversity and the safeguarding of natural spaces.
"These are but a few of the activities with which we are seeking to raise awareness about climate change and the devastating effects it threatens us with. Climate change is not something that will occur far away but also here in Malta where we risk losing our beaches and coastal areas due to sea levels rising and losing tourists because summers become hotter each year, said Julian Vassallo, Head of the European Parliament Valletta Office.
Dr Vassallo emphasised the importance of the Year for Intercultural Dialogue 2008, a value which was very dear to the European Parliament and its President, Hans-Gert Pöttering.
Joanna Drake, Head of the European Commission Representation in Malta, said: "We are pleased to lay out a dazzling programme to celebrate this year's Spring Day for Europe and the 9th of May which is synonymous with Europe Day commemorating the very foundations of the European Union: the Schumann Declaration."
As in previous years, Dr Drake said, school children were the focus of the entire programme. "We have twinned the two main themes for 2008, namely, intercultural dialogue and energy/climate change and created a number of events aimed to stimulate awareness and concrete action in both areas," she said.
Gabriella Pace, Forum Malta fl-Ewropa chief executive officer said the event gave Forum the opportunity to reach out to another section of the Maltese population, namely children and youngsters.
"We have all been working very hard to come up with a line-up of activities – ranging from school outings to sessions with footballers. Catching them young, these activities will all be helping to increase awareness, while also giving these children the opportunity to enjoy themselves," Dr Pace said.
Genevieve Abela, from the Ministry of Education's Directorate for Educational Services, explained that from an educational stand point this year’s Europe Day focus gives schools an opportunity to draw student’s attention to the themes of Climate Change and Intercultural Dialogue by engaging them in a celebration of both their civic responsibilities and democratic rights as European citizens.
"Although only 13 schools will be directly involved in the 9th May activity at parliament, it’s important to recognize that all schools have embraced these themes through in-school activities and joint-school projects, ranging from debates and discussions with EU officials in their schools to simply integrating the themes across the teaching curriculum," Ms Abela said.
Among the representatives of other entities involved who also address the news conference were Gejtu Vella, from Europe Direct, and French Ambassador to Malta Jean Marc Rives.
Toni Attard, from St James' Cavalier and Nature Trust's Vince Attard were also present.