"Listening to these children voice their concern for the environment and seeing their enthusiasm in sharing what they're doing made me look at the future in a more positive way."   ...   "This is one of the few parliamentary sessions in which I truly felt my responsibility as a people's representative."   ...   "Parliament should have more sessions like this one. For once I attentively listened through everything that was being presented during the debate."
   
These are but a few of the comments expressed by some of the MPs that attended the first special parliamentary session dedicated to EkoSkola. The session, held on the 2nd June, was part of the activities organised for this year's Environment Week. All those attending could feel the vibrant atmosphere created by the 138 students hailing from 12 different schools from Malta and Gozo participating in the EkoSkola programme. The parliamentary session was aimed at bringing these young policy makers face to face with the country's official policy makers in a positive parliamentary debate about ways of improving the quality of life in our schools and in the surrounding communities.
   
After the opening prayer, read by one of the girls, the Hon. Speaker Anton Tabone delivered his opening address. While acknowledged EkoSkola’s efforts to infuse in our schools the values of democracy, citizenship, participation and sustainable development, he pointed out that, as the national guardian of these values, it was the parliament’s duty to support this initiative. He welcomed the students whom he praised for their "strong sense of citizenship" and their "genuine commitment to do something positive for the environment, rather than complaining about what others should do". In his concluding comments he stressed the need to invest in this programme by pointing out that "if these citizens are already fully committed to the improvement of their environment, imagine the greater contribution that they will offer their country in the future". Two students then read the motion that invited MPs to acknowledge the valid work being done by EkoSkola to improve schools and local communities, by pledging their full support. In the debate that followed, students from the various schools amplified on the motion by briefly highlighting the activities that they organised as part of their EkoSkola action plan. The activities mainly targeted waste management and the wise use of resources like water and energy. Class and school environments were also targeted and several schools reported a general heightened sense of belonging and wellbeing. Particularly noteworthy were the various success stories reported about the fruitful interactions that the EkoSkola programme established with local councils. Councillors, who have collaborated with schools participating in EkoSkola, acknowledged the potential of these students in helping the council to take tangible steps towards initiating the local Agenda 21 process in their community.
   
The response by the MPs was very encouraging. The Hon. Carmelo Abela, Opposition spokesperson for Education, recalled what a student had said on the day of the launch of the EkoSkola programme: "Show us the way and we will take up the challenge", and remarked that EkoSkola has really proved its worth in providing students with the means for a holistic education that is not focused solely on the acquisition of knowledge but on developing the whole person. In her address, the Hon. Helen D’Amato: Parliamentary Secretary for the Elderly and Community Care chose to stress and praise the work done by the students in the community. In line with the National Curriculum’s emphasis on establishing school-community links, she encouraged students to further engage in activities promoting the value of community so as to help in the development of a more caring society. The Opposition spokesperson for the Environment, the Hon. Dr Joe Brincat, was impressed by the commitment invested by the students in the care of their environment. He felt duty bound, as a member of the House of Representatives, to formally ask children to forgive adults for the lack of good example that they sometimes give in environmental matters and particularly for ruining most of the environment that the children will inherit. He also encouraged children to continue their good work and show adults how to be more responsible towards the environment. The Hon. George Pullicino, Minister for Rural Affairs and the Environment, remarked on the change in culture that this programme is generating in schools: a move towards more sustainable lifestyles. He pointed out that although legislation is important in a nation’s effort to safeguard the environment, environmental education is a more long-term and radical solution that needs to be placed at the forefront of our nation’s educational priorities. He therefore invited his colleagues to approve the motion being tabled and to pledge full support to it. The Hon. Dr Alfted Sant, leader of the Opposition, proposed an annual repeat of the EkoSkola parliamentary session in which the children, rather than the MPs, are the real protagonists. He pointed out that the honest feedback that children provide could be the basis of concrete proposals to promote environmental education that could be tabled for approval by the parliament. The Prime Minister, the Hon. Dr Lawrence Gonzi, further amplified on the need to listen attentively to what the children are saying and actively doing. He invited not only the MPs, but also the general public to heed the plight of these children for a better environment. He urged the Maltese to focus on their lifestyles and actions and to ask what they can do to improve the situation … just like the students are doing in the EkoSkola programme.
   
After the last intervention, the Hon. Speaker moved for the approval of the motion. The motion was unanimously approved by the parliament and the session was closed with the singing of the song “la Preghiera”. As a token of remembrance of this session, all students were invited to take a group photo with the MPs. Furthermore; each participating school will be given a printed version of the motion together with a singed commitment for its implementation by the MPs who participated in the debate.
   
Motion about EkoSkola presented to the House of Representatives on 2nd June 2005 on the occasion of Environment Week 2005
The EkoSkola programme is an international environmental education programme. About 3 million boys and girls from about 13 thousand schools distributed in 33 different countries participate in this programme. EkoSkola encourages the full participation of us children in decision-making, planning and implementation of environmental activities with the aim of improving the quality of life in our school and community. Nature Trust (Malta), in collaboration with the government, introduced the programme in Malta in 2002 as a pilot project. Since then, the number of schools participating in EkoSkola increased from 6 to 26.
From what has been achieved till now, it is quite clear that EkoSkola is helping in the holistic development of our schools. Moreover, EkoSkola is helping us collaborate more with our Local Councils for the benefit of our localities. EkoSkola is becoming more and more popular and it will not be long till certain schools receive the Green Flag, which is a world-renowned certificate testifying that the school that received it is seriously committed for the care of the environment.
As active citizens we have already began contributing for the improvement of our country. We have been working very hard and now, having arrived this far, we do not want to stop here and wish to go on further. So now, in order to proceed further we need your help, honourable members of parliament. We have already given proof of what we are capable of achieving on our own; imagine what we can accomplish together if you give us your trust.
So, at the start of these ten years dedicated by the UN for Education for Sustainable Development and during the European year dedicated to Citizenship through Education, we wish that you support our efforts by:
• acknowledging that the EkoSkola programme is helping us children as citizens to be committed and responsible for the environment around us;
• acknowledging that the EkoSkola programme is helping in the holistic development of our schools; and
• promising that you will support this programme with all your resources.

(July 2005)

   
In our last newsletter we announced the Green Week Schools Competition 2005 organised by the European Commission. The theme for this year's competition was Climate Change and it had two sections: a Paintings Section for children aged 6-10 years and a Videos Section for youths aged 11-16 years. The competition was a real success. Entries came from 32 different countries: 3104 entries (125 hailing from Malta) for the Paintings Section and 122 (with 5 Maltese entries) for the Videos Section.
   
The winners in each category have been communicated and we are pleased to announce that Sarah Spiteri (9 years) - a pupil from one of our EkoSkola schools (St Joseph, Mater Boni Consilli School - Paola) came 3rd in the Paintings Section. Sarah together with her teacher, were in Brussels to attend this year's edition of Green Week 2005. This year the event looked at all aspects of climate change and in particular at our lifestyles.

   
Green Week encourages everyone to "think aloud" about how we can change our environmental behaviour. It is aimed at local, regional and national decision-makers, businesses, NGOs and the general public. In addition to a programme of conferences Green Week also has an exhibition with stands featuring best practices, projects and partnerships.
   
For more information visit: europa.eu.int/comm/environment/greenweek/index_en.htm
   
   

   
3rd year student teachers of bachelors degree specialising in environmental education, are expected to participate in the EkoSkola programme as part of their training. The aim of this experience is two-fold: (a) to help students experience firsthand what the implementation of the EkoSkola programme entails, and (b) to provide schools, participating in the EkoSkola programme, with assistance in the implementation process.
   
Pairs of students (a total of 20 students) were assigned to schools participating in the EkoSkola programme and were expected to pay the school a minimum of five visits spread over the whole scholastic year. During these visits student teachers were expected to play an active role in supporting the school with the running of the programme.
   
During their first visit, students were welcomed by the school head teacher and briefed about the school's progress in the EkoSkola programme and the school's plans for development. Students were then introduced to the EkoSkola co-ordinator/s with whom they planned their tasks for the rest of the scholastic year. Headteachers were also expected to write an appraisal of the students' performance at the end of their term in school, based on their participation in the EkoSkola programme.
   
The scheme has proved very successful and schools have already requested a similar support for next year. A large number of headteachers said that the students' enthusiasm managed to jumpstart the EkoSkola process in their schools. Fully aware of the positive impact this type of support can have on schools, Nature Trust has, for these last two years, been involved in negotiations with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Employment for the appointment of six EkoSkola Officers. This type of support is common practice in schools in other countries who are involved in the Eco-Schools programme.

(June 2005)

News from Malta

   
Launching EkoSkola
The annual Nature Trust (Malta) one-day seminar aimed at promoting EkoSkola was organised at Mount St Joseph Retreat House on 22^nd January 2004. The event was attended by head teachers and teachers from 65 different primary and secondary schools. After the welcome address by Mr Vince Attard (NT president), Hon Louis Galea (Minister of Education) opened the event. In his address, the minister highlighted the need to promote educational experiences that effectively address the ever-changing needs of society. Children need to develop various ‘survival skills’ that enable them to identify and respond to societal concerns. EkoSkola is an educational programme that systematically provides students with opportunities to develop these skills.
Dr Paul Pace (EkoSkola National Co-ordinator) familiarised the participants with the objectives of the programme, provided information about how schools can participate in it and demonstrated the resources available for schools on the EkoSkola website. The participants were also addressed by Dr Joseph Mangani (Assistant Director, Department of Curriculum Development, Implementation and Review) who highlighted the main challenges and opportunities offered by the National Curriculum and how the philosophy of EkoSkola complements perfectly the curriculum’s target goals.
   
Pilot Schools thanked
As part of a tree planting activity and the launch of a fieldstudy booklet, Nature Trust (Malta) awarded a commemorative plaque to the schools that had accepted to be part of the EkoSkola pilot project during the 2003-2004 scholastic year. The ceremony was held on 24^th January 2004 at NT’s nature reserve at Wied Għollieqa. Representatives from the schools collected the memento from the Hon George Pullicino (Minister for Rural Affairs and the Environment) who stressed the need for schools to acknowledge the importance of environmental education in the curriculum. He also encouraged NGOs and businesses to invest in schools and support these initiatives. The schools that participated in the pilot project were: Dun Guzepp Xerri - St Julians Primary C; Emmanuel Debono Decesare - Fgura Primary B; Patri Guze Delia - Siggiewi Primary C; St Edwards College - Middle School; St Joseph Primary - Blata l-Bajda and Patri Mattew Sultana - Xagħra Primary, Gozo … the latter could not attend the ceremony.
Xagħra Primary School’s turn to receive the memento came on 26^th February 2004, when the Minister for Rural Affairs and the Environment visited the school. After a meeting with the school’s EkoSkola Committee, the minister addressed the whole school in school hall that was decorated with the children’s work related to projects initiated in class as part of the EkoSkola programme. Congratulating the staff and students for the efforts they have put into the programme, he strongly commended the Local Council’s support for EkoSkola. In fact, Mr Anthony Attard (Major of Xagħra) pledged his council’s support and appointed Ms Maria Assunta Attard (Deputy Mayor) as the council’s representative on the EkoSkola Committee.

   
The 29^th October saw the launching of the Eco-Schools pilot project in the small Mediterranean island of Malta. With the support of the Ministries of Environment (through the Maltese Environment & Planning Authority, MEPA) and Education, MAEE – Maltese Association of Environmental Educators, will be FEE’s newest Member organisation. The launch event was held at the Primary School at St Julians, Malta, with pupils, Headmasters and teachers from the pilot schools, and press. Responsible authorities for the Ministries of Environment and Education, as well as FEE and MAEE representatives participated.
   
The following Press Release was issued:
“Six schools pilot international Eco-Schools programme
Six local schools are to participate in a pilot initiative aimed at empowering pupils, teachers and parents to take practical steps to reduce the environmental impact of their schools. If successful, theis pilot initiative will enable Maltese schools to join some 7.000 other schools in 26 countries in a programme known as Eco-Schools. Government primary schools in St Julians, Saghra, Fgura, and Siggiewi, St. Joseph’s Primary Schools, Blata l-Bajda and St Edwards College will take part during this scholastic year. Each school is to set up a committee including teachers, students, parents and support staff which will review the school’s environmental impact, prepare an action plan and devise an eco-code outlining what the school wishes to achieve through the programme. Developed in 1994, the Eco-Schools programme seeks to raise environmental awareness and to promote sustainable development at a local level in the classroom, at home and in the wider community. The programme is an example of the implementation of the United Nations’ Local Agenda 21. The initiative to pilot Eco-Schools in Malta was taken by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority and was launched today by Education Minister Louis Galea and Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment George Pullicino. Also present was Mr Sérgio Santos, International Coordinator for the Eco-Schools programme of the Foundation for Environmental Education. During the scholastic year Parliamentary Secretary George Pullicino will be visiting schools to explain Local Agenda 21 and children’s´ role in improving the environment.”
The project is being steered by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) and the Education Division (Ministry for Education). Dr Paul Pace is project Coordinator.
Press release by Malta Environment & Planning Authority (www.mepa.org.mt), 29 October 2002

   
Jean Paul Schembri, a pupil of Dun Guzepp Primary School at St Julians, which hosted the event, read out this address on behalf of his school:
“Dear guests and friends,
On behalf of the school administration, staff and fellow students I would like to welcome you to our school and to thank you for giving us this wonderful opportunity to participate in the Eco-Schools pilot project. We are sure that our school, like all others taking part, will not only benefit from this experience but also contribute towards its success. Speaking on behalf of all students, I would like to thank you also for giving us the opportunity to be represented here today for this important occasion of the launching of this project. We, the students, want to show that we too care about the well-being of our planet, our tiny home in the infinite universe which has so far been so good to us. We too are afraid that one day this tiny home may become unfit to live in. We are therefore looking forward to be able to join the other thousands of schools and hundreds of thousands of other students across the world in this project. We can make a difference. We can give our share. Starting in our schools, we can make our life more safe, more healthy, more meaningful, but above all, more in harmony with our environment. We hear how politicians and other important people work hard to give our generation a better future. Perhaps it is now time for us young people to do something for ourselves and for our own future. Show us the way and we will take up the challenge.”

(November 2002)