EkoSkola Malta

Young People’s Summit 2024

Nature Trust FEE Malta and the Office of the Commissioner for Children

join forces for youth empowerment

Qrendi, Malta – January 30, 2024

For the past two decades, Nature Trust FEE Malta has been unwavering in its commitment to empowering the voices of young people through various events. The annual Young People’s Summit, a flagship initiative, provides a dynamic platform for young minds to share ideas and concerns, contributing significantly to the betterment of life in Malta.

Nature Trust FEE Malta has partnered with the Office of the Commissioner for Children to organise the yearly Young People’s summit at St Benedict College, Helen Keller Resource Centre in Qrendi. Students from 19 schools participating in the EkoSkola programme had a unique opportunity to express their perspectives on two crucial national documents currently under consultation:

• The Children’s Policy Framework 2024-2030
• The National Education Strategy 2024–2030: Visioning the Future by Transforming Education

During the summit, students delved into the recommendations outlined in these documents, fostering comprehensive discussions on key issues. Discussion groups tailored for primary and middle/secondary schools were facilitated by EkoSkola teachers. The invaluable feedback from students will be collated into a declaration, which will be ratified by the young participants and subsequently presented to the relevant Ministries at an EkoSkola parliament sitting in April. Furthermore, the recommendations will be also forwarded to the relevant ministries ; Ministry For Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation as well as the Ministry for Social Policy and Children’s Rights just in time before the consultation period ends in February.

Nature Trust FEE Malta recognizes the right of the children to voice their ideas whenever decisions taken affect the children’s quality of life, as outlined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The EkoSkola programme is sponsored by the Local Councils Association, Transport Malta, HSBC Malta plc, Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation, Wasteserv and Ambjent Malta.

A huge thanks goes to St Benedict College, Helen Keller Resource Centre and St Benedict College, Qrendi Primary School for providing the premises and making their resources available for the event.

Photos by Nicholas Gatt & NTM