Sustainable Tourism
ECO published a policy paper on "Sustainable
Tourism" in the Maltese Islands
In the presence of the Minister for Tourism,
ECO launched a campaign whereby a pamphlet including ecological
tips for sustainable tourism was published. 100,000 copies were
distributed in various hotels for tourists.
An educational drawing book titled "Rosina
u l-Ghar Misterjuz" (Rosina and the Mysterious Cave) aimed
at educating children on sustainable tourism was launched during
a press conference with the Minister for Tourism.
Launch of the MED Forum "Ulixes
Exhibition" in Malta during the governments Barcelona Convention
meeting in Malta
Around 4000 copies of the pamphlet "WANTED
The Tourist of the Future, that forms part of Ulixes 21 campaign
were distributed in Malta and Gozo. A book on Sustainable Tourism
was presented to the Minister of Environment, and copies sent
to the Minister of Tourism, and the head of the Opposition.
The European Union
With the help of the EEB, ECO published
a policy paper on Reforming Agriculture in the EU.
Signed EEB Memorandum that was presented
to the German presidency with 10 major environmental issues,
including EU Environmental Tax Reform, an Energy Product Taxation
proposal, Strategic Environmental Assessment and Environmental
Liability.
A policy paper on EU enlargement prepared
by EEB was adopted by ECO and published
Participation in the EEB meeting "Fate
of the Environment in the Accession Negotiations"
Participation in the meetings organised
by the government for NGOs on the EU accession process
Lobbying and Law Enforcement
Lobbying against the tuna penning fish
farm in Ta` Cenc Gozo
Lobbying against the destruction of rubble
walls for personal use, by reporting various cases. ECO protested
against the use of tanks to replace rubble walls, which has become
illegal after the 1997 regulations
Lobbying against off-roading which is
harming the Maltese countryside
Strong lobbying was carried out against
the cement plant in Siggiewi and finally the Planning Authority
refused the project
After lobbying for a number of years,
the government announced that an air monitoring programme will
be carried
After months of lobbying against the
construction of a yacht marina in Hondoq ir-Rummien, Gozo, the
government decided not to go ahead with the project.
ECO continued to lobby for a legislation
to promote glass bottles instead of plastic ones
Campaign against the free flow of sewage
on the Valletta bastions
Photos of various illegal quarries, buildings,
dumping, roads and brick factories operating in the Island were
published
Call for a Charter on Animal Rights through
various articles and bringing to light illegal activities conducted
on animals
A policy paper on the disposal of cars
was published in view of the probability of an increase in the
dumping of cars due to the introduction of the MOT test.
Publication of policy paper on construction
waste disposal
Call for a Charter on Children's Rights
in accordance with the United Nations Charter
ECO continues its representation on the
Planning Authority Consultative Group
Sustainable Coastal Development
The Campaign "Green Light for the
Mediterranean" was launched with the presence of the Minister
for Environment and organised by ECO together with MED Forum,
between the months of February and June.
About 20,000 households were reached
in the five participating municipalities (B`Buga, Zabbar, Sliema,
Mellieha and Qala).
Leaflets were distributed to all the
households, schools, youth centres, pensioners` groups, NGOs,
and other organisations in these localities. Posters were also
distributed in public places. Various work/discussion groups
were organised with all these associations.
Media coverage was extensive with the
publication of two articles: "Traffic Light for the Mediterranean"
and "The Free Gifts of Nature" in all newspapers and
numerous press releases. TV and radio coverage and interviews
enabled the campaign to reach more households on a National Level.
Environmental Education
For the second year, ECO organised the
ECOLOGICAL GENERATION AWARD
which includes two prizes, one for Primary and the other for
Secondary Students. This activity awards students who take up
environmental initiatives.
Environmental talks were organised for
students on holiday in the Summer months
As part of the "Making
One World" Campaign various articles were published
on National Newspapers and Radio and Television interviews carried
out. The very popular Xummiemu stories were published on the
children's magazine Saghtar on a monthly basis.
A call was made for people to vote for
ecologically conscious counsellors during the Local Government
elections. A policy paper on "New Trends in Green Politics"
was published.
A quiz titled "How Green Are you?"
was published
ECO participated in the National Book
Fair to distribute environmental education material
"Legends of Peace" was organised
by ECO on behalf of the Council of Europe
A booklet including ecological tips titled
"X`nista naghmel jien biex nghin l-Ambjent?" (What
can I do to help the Environment?) was distributed free of charge
Throughout the months of June to September,
ECO volunteers gave rewards to children who were seen using litter
bins on the beach
A Millennium drawing and painting competition
of primary and secondary schools was held. The themes were friendship
and no to racism.
One Race Human Race (Campaign
on Racism)
After the concert "Colours in Rhythm"
ECO was involved in the preparations of the UN International
Conference on Racism. Posters were distributed.
Call for the abolition of the death penalty
in the army, as part of the millennium activities which the government
is organising.
Celebration of the UN Day Against Racism
in March 1999.
The International Day Against Fascism
was remembered on the 9th November through a informative article.
International Activities
and Miscellaneous
A number of Maltese children participated
in "Tell the World", organised by World Voices which
consisted in having their articles published in a book assessing
the state and future of the world at the Millennium
The Mediterranean Sea Campaign was organised
by ECO for Lega Ambiente in Malta
The International Photographic Competition
of UNEP was promoted in Malta
Organisation in Malta of the MED Forum
- MIO conference "The Mediterranean NGOs for the Ratification
of the Barcelona Convention
The Mediterranean Action Day was organised
on behalf of MIO-ECSDE in Malta
A tree planting session was organised
on Arbor Day and the campaign to save Tropical Forests was continued.
