President of Malta presides over Europe Day activities organised by the European Parliament Office in Malta and the European Commission Representation in Malta.
Europe Day in Malta was celebrated with marching bands, young Maltese challenging sitting politicians on European themes, and hundreds of children polishing their European geography on a massive interactive map on Valletta's main square. The activities organised by the European Parliament Information Office in Malta and the European Commission Representation followed the traditional European Parliament Football Festival organised in Gozo last week and coincided with similar activities across Europe.
By early morning on May 9th or "Schuman Day" a large map of Europe was spread across St. George's Square, and European Parliament Office staff was soon distributing piles of EU brochures and freebees to over 500 children, parents, teachers, tourists and passes-by who gathered on a beautiful spring day. Information about the EU was integrated in a number of colourful games and leisure activities testing students from several schools on their knowledge of their European neighbours. Brass bands, animation teams and local bands livened up the atmosphere.
Meanwhile across the square at The House of Representatives, a parliamentary debate that pitched secondary school students against Ministers and Members of Parliament on the low number of students in tertiary education, how volunteering can change your life and reducing our carbon footprint. Education Minister Dolores Cristina and Minister for Resources and Rural Affairs George Pullicino, as well as local MPs were put on the spot by students from State and Church schools who were selected through an essay competition.
Meanwhile across the square at The House of Representatives, a parliamentary debate that pitched secondary school students against Ministers and Members of Parliament on the low number of students in tertiary education, how volunteering can change your life and reducing our carbon footprint. Education Minister Dolores Cristina and Minister for Resources and Rural Affairs George Pullicino, as well as local MPs were put on the spot by students from State and Church schools who were selected through an essay competition.
At the end of the parliamentary debate, the Head of the European Parliament Office Dr. Julian Vassallo, and the Head of the European Commission Representation in Malta Mr. Martin Bugelli, addressed the crowd that gathered in St. George's Square. Dr. Vassallo described Europe as "a work in progress" and urged students to help in its completion and to learn life-skills in the voluntary sector. Closing remarks were made by H. E. the President of the Republic of Malta George Abela who joined a young girl and boy in a cake-cutting ceremony celebrating Europe's Birthday, at the Presidential Palace courtyard in Valletta with the diplomatic corps in attendance.
