EU FAIR DRIVES SOCIAL MESSAGE.
EP ELECTIONS BRING-OUT-THE-VOTE CAMPAIGN LOGO REVEALED:
"AGĦŻEL INT - IT'S YOUR CHOICE"
The Europe Close to You Fair, a yearly information event bringing EU institutions closer to Maltese citizens, kicked off at Freedom Square Valletta earlier today and will be up and running throughout the week. It will end with a debate between the leaders of the three main political parties, Lawrence Gonzi, Joseph Muscat and Arnold Cassola on Saturday 24th January at 11.00am.
Financed by the European Commission Representation in Malta and the European Parliament Office in Valletta with the collaboration of local EU agencies and information points of national organisations, this fourth edition of the fair will focus on Social Europe and the start of the EP Elections "Bring-out-the-vote-campaign". It was launched this morning by Dr Joanna Drake, Head of the European Commission Representation and Dr Julian Vassallo, Head of the European Parliament Office.
The logo of the Bring-out-the-vote campaign for the June 6th European Elections with the slogan "Agħżel Int - Its your Choice" was also revealed this morning (see attached).
Social Europe
Commission's DG Employment and has been touring different European cities for the past months.
"We want to lay a special emphasis on the values of diversity and anti-discrimination which loom large in the EU's social agenda," Dr Drake said, thanking the local agencies and organisations that were taking part in this year's fair.
'Social Europe' sums up the ways in which the European Union impacts its citizens' lives in education, employment and job mobility. It focuses on how EU policy is shaped to promote equality and diversity while seeking to eradicate poverty and social exclusion.
The Head of the EC Representation, Dr Joanna Drake, said this was the fourth edition of what had started as a simple information fair but which had gradually become one of the main activities in which the European institutions represented in Malta interact with citizens.
"The main question being addressed during this fair is: Do you know what can social Europe do for you?" Dr Drake said, mentioning the renewed social agenda as enhanced last year by the EU which was focusing on providing jobs and equal opportunities for all and ensuring that everyone in society is reached.
Giving this year's Europe Close to You fair its visual identity is a circus theme featuring a mock red and white tent and visuals of clowns, acrobats, jugglers and tightrope walkers who drive home the messages on social Europe. The circus was developed by the
European Elections "Bring-out-the-vote Campaign" - "Agħżel Int - Its Your Choice"
The fair also marks the start of the European Parliament's institutional campaign in Malta geared to encourage voter participation in the MEP elections to be held on 6th June 2009.
Dr Julian Vassallo, Head of the European Parliament Office, said that "political allegiance should not be the only drive behind voter participation."
"In view of the ever-increasing powers of the European Parliament our vote also represents our say on important policy decisions for the European Union on Energy, Food Security, Immigration, EU Enlargement and how we work our way out of the present economic crisis. This will be the message of our campaign that will utilise all media in the run up to Saturday 6th June."
Dr Vassallo also said that the Maltese are better placed to choose their representatives than they were in 2004 having seen their five representatives in action.
"The general public has seen that the power of Maltese MEPs to forward Maltese interests lies not in their numbers but in their arguments, in their ability to convince their peers, their political groupings in the EP and even their political adversaries. The abilities required to be an effective MEP may be different from those required to be an effective national MP," he concluded.
Theatre and tours
A rich programme of events happening at the Europe Close to You Fair includes runs of 'Krexx', an original short play targeting school children, as well as tours for students around the different information stands in the morning.
Winter Moods and Youth Debate
The main highlight of the fair will be an evening debate for young people scheduled for Friday 23rd January at 7pm. 'Let's Get Loud: Jitkellmu ż-żgħażagħ dwar l-Unjoni Ewropea' won't be your usual youth debate as the event will kick off with a gig by Winter Moods' Ivan Grech, accompanied by the band's guitarist, Melvin Caruana.
After the discussion, the rest of the famous band will join the singer to entertain all present in a full-blown concert inside the tent itself. Tickets for the debate and the concert, which are free-of-charge, may be collected from the Europe Close to You Fair throughout the week.
Debate between Political Party Leaders: "Social Europe. Social Malta"
On Saturday morning, the atmosphere will sober up again for a political debate: 'Social Europe, Social Malta'. The leaders of the political parties affiliated to the European Parliament political groups - Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat and Alternattiva Demokratika chairman Arnold Cassola - will take part in this public debate on Saturday 24th January at 11.00am.
The other organisations taking part in this event are the Malta-EU Steering and Action Committee (MEUSAC), the European Union Programmes Agency (EUPA), Europe Direct, Solvit, EURES, the Malta Qualifications Council, For Diversity Against Discrimination Campaign, the Office of the Commissioner for Children, the National Commission for Persons with a Disability, the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality, the National Council for the Elderly, the Malta Gay Rights Movement, Fondazzjoni Temi Zammit, the European Documentation and Research Centre, the Curriculum Management and eLearning Department, the European Consumer Centre, the Media and Culture section within the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport.
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