17th October 2004

Impacts of EU to be discussed in ‘New European Citizens’ project

EU membership brings with it opportunities and challenges which will force us to change our lives and representatives from the 10 new member states will sit round a table in Malta to debate the impact of the EU on our lives especially in the sphere of the environment. Participants will discuss how EU regulations will affect both our physical environment and our way of life. The initiative forms part of a new project spearheaded by Friends of the Earth (Malta) entitled "New European Citizens". The project is part-funded by the European Commission (DG Culture) and will include a workshop to which interested members of the public are invited.

The main aim of this project is to provide a wider dissemination of the meaning of European Integration on culture and environment. The theme will basically answer the question: "What does EU integration mean for environment and culture for the new European citizens?" Part of the project will also include the creation of a video that will be disseminated among the new member states.

The presence of 10 international delegates in Malta will provide an excellent opportunity to explore potential future collaboration in EU-funded and other projects. The workshop will be held on Sunday the 24 October at Lapsi Hotel St Julians. The workshop kicks off at 9am and will be concluded by 12pm. Non governmental organisations are also invited to an afternoon session dedicated to networking from 2pm to 4pm.

The workshop will be launched by Joseph Muscat, David Casa and Harry Vassallo. Representatives from the Government and European delegation in Malta have also been invited. The Information Office of the European Parliament in Malta provided material and support for the workshop and documentation that will be available during our events.

More information about this project can be found at the Friends of the Earth (Malta) website: http://www.foemalta.org/