NEWS | Tuesday, 31 October 2007

EU-funded project aimed at stimulating debate by civil society

Forum Malta fl-Ewropa and Fondazzjoni Temi Zammit on Monday launched their new European Union (EU) funded project entitled “Say EU, and …Action”. This project is being staged in the framework of Plan D – for Democracy, Dialogue and Debate on the future of the EU, a Commission initiative which is seeing this project being 70 per cent co-funded by the Commission’s DG Communications.
Addressing the press, Michael Frendo, Minister of Foreign Affairs, thanked the Forum Malta fl-Ewropa and Fondazzjoni Temi Zammit for the initiative taken to tap the Commission’s call for proposals for projects which are envisaging debate by civil society.
He also thanked the European Commission, who was at this press conference represented by Joanna Drake, for believing in this project as a tool to bridge the gap between the European Union and its citizens.
Minister Frendo reiterated on the importance of a pro-active society, whose attitude should be that of influencing politics. He said that the subjects chosen for discussion, that is research and innovation, energy, flexicurity and immigration, are of public interest and should encourage civil society to participate actively in the debate thus ensuring for a civil society which is at the forefront in the development of Europe’s politics.
Joanna Drake, Head of the European Commission’s Representation Office in Malta, also emphasised the important role civil society has when shaping policies to be adopted by the European Union.
Drake reiterated that both Forum Malta fl-Ewropa and Fondazzjoni Temi Zammit have the tools to make this project a success because both organisations have civil society at heart. She said that the Commission’s choice to target women and youths is an optimal choice as it is they who play a crucial role in the formation of the societies to come.
Gabriella Pace, Chief Executive, Forum Malta fl-Ewropa, acknowledged the importance of this project to Forum’s role as the key player in bringing the European Union closer to Maltese citizens as well as that of creating a structured public space within which civil society could contribute directly to the debate.
Pace emphasised FME’s role “as the national reference point on EU-related affairs”, with its three main areas of competence being, the dissemination of information on EU-related issues, the facilitation of consultation with stakeholders on EU pipeline acquis, as well as support and awareness with regard to access to EU funding opportunities.
She said that the Commission’s input towards this project augurs well and emphasised on the need for discussion to be objective and impartial by including all stakeholders. FME’s CEO once again encouraged civil society to take an active role in this project.
Jesmond Xuereb, Chief Executive, Fondazzjoni Temi Zammit gave a detailed presentation of the project. “Say EU…and Action” will seek to involve all the NGOs who work in close collaboration with the target groups chosen so as to ensure an in-depth discussion of the salient issues.
Xuereb again stressed the relevance of the chosen topics to this debate, while thanking Forum Malta fl-Ewropa for the active role taken in this initiative and the Permanent Representation for its financial support.
The project will be set in various stages with the first public working groups/debates set to commence in January 2008, followed by two conferences: one will be held in Malta in July and another will be held in Gozo in August.
An internet portal will be designed to include online polls, forums, a multimedia section, and FAQs which will be compiled following each working group and or/debate with answers from the European Institutions.
A virtual postcard will also be created to incorporate the most salient arguments brought up during these working group and/or debates through the use of video clips. The final report and evaluation of this project will be convened in September 2008.