Academics, regional leaders, and civil society representatives from Sicily & Malta met in Malta & Gozo to address shared challenges and explore new opportunities for collaboration in two key EU priority areas, that is Mare Nostrum and Active citizenship within the European Union.
On February 4th, an important transnational meeting was held at Queen Mary University of London Malta Campus in Victoria, focusing on ocean sustainability with a special emphasis on the Mediterranean Sea.
The keynote speaker, Professor Alan Deidun, highlighted five major challenges affecting the Mediterranean, that is:
Shipping traffic, citing that the sea between Sicily ad Malta is one of the busiest in the world mainly by oil tankers;
Tourism & coastal urbanisation, brought about by over four million tourists who visit Malta each year, causing significant pressure on coastal regions;
Marine heatwaves, which are having a significant impact on the fisheries sector;
Governance of marine protected areas, mainly due to the lack of human resources; and
the Volatile Nature of the Mediterranean Sea form a geotectonic point of view.
The risks from these challenges include, major air pollution accidents, affecting islands like Malta that rely heavily on the sea for water resources, the spread of alien species and the level of preparedness for environmental threats.
This event was funded by the European Commission and was organized by Europe Direct Valletta, Trapani & Gozo, which also featured other insightful contributions. Ms Antonella Milazzo (European Climate Pact Ambassador), spoke about the importance of rendering our students important active citizens. Ms Marvic Refalo (Nature Trust Malta), mentioned the ongoing educational effort being done by Nature Trust Malta through EkoSkola with young students from various schools in Gozo. Mr Fabio Galluzzo (President Mare Vivo) spoke about the initiatives related to Mare Vivo especially the network of plastic free schools on Sicily. Maria Cutajar Manager at he Cirkewwa Marine Park informed the participants about the state of health of the Posdionia Oceanica Meadows in Malta and the efforts to protect these meadows. Mr Giuseppe Lo Porto (Istituto Nautico di Castellammare del Golfo) insisted that schools must form persons who are active citizens not persons for work. Ms Antonia Scicluna (Fisheries Scientist) talked about the consequences of marine litter on the ocean’s biodiversity while Guglielmo Cassone (Capitaneria di Porto di Trapani) spoke about the work being done with fishermen especially with regards to ‘ghost nets’ and the consequences of these being left in our oceans. Finally Ms. Ramona Mercieca (Globe Malta) recounted the efforts being taken by GLOBE Malta, on the ground, with students from primary and secondary schools in Gozo.
Delegates also had the opportunity to visit the Gozo Citadel where a networking event was also held.
On 5th February the delegates met at Europe House in Valletta to discuss active citizenship within the European Union. The event was organised by EUROPE DIRECT Valletta which consisted in two discussions by two panels delving into the meaning of active citizenship for the European project.
6th February marked the conclusion of the transnational meetings. During the final event, two important protocols were signed. The Cross-Border Collaboration Protocol for Education and Awareness on Ocean Sustainability: Sicily – Malta 2025 and The Active Citizenship in the European Project.
All stakeholders present committed to these initiatives, reinforcing our shared vision for a sustainable and inclusive future, by signing the two protocols.
