Be the first to comment!Jury announced for EU’s ‘Galileo’ drawing competition
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A national jury comprising Dr. Angelo Chetcuti, from the European Commission Representation in Malta, Ian Busuttil Naudi, presenter of the television programme ‘Gadget’ and Tony Tanti, Public Relations Officer of the Malta Society of Astronomy, will be responsible for assessing the entries and selecting the Maltese winning drawing in a pan-European competition on “Space and Aeronautics.” Maltese children aged between 9 and 11 years are encouraged to participate in this competition, which is being organised by the European Commission. The winners, one from each EU Member State, will eventually have a Galileo Programme satellite named after them.
Speaking on the occasion of the announcement of the national jury, Mr Martin Bugelli, Head of the European Commission Representation in Malta, gave an overview of Galileo, Europe’s constellation of 27 satellites, which is a joint venture between the European Commission and the European Space Agency. Galileo will provide a highly accurate positioning service and will enhance Europe’s technological independence. He explained that, “thanks to its high accuracy, travelling will be safer, while assistance in cases of emergency will be delivered more rapidly and efficiently.”
To make Galileo relevant to EU citizens, the European Commission is organising a drawing competition, which will result in the satellites bearing the names of the 27 member state winners. In Malta, the competition is being organised in collaboration with the Education Division and is open for children born between the years 2000 and 2002.
Dr James Calleja, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry Of Education, Employment and the Family, urged children to take part in this competition. He stated that extra-curricular activities, such as this competition, “are central to the full development of the individual”. “Moreover,” he added, “Maltese children have a one-time opportunity to give their name to one of the Galileo Programme satellites.”
To take part, children must upload a scanned image or a digital photograph of their ‘space and aeronautics’-related drawing at www.galileocontest.eu by not later than the 15th November 2011. The Maltese winner, who will be chosen by the national jury, will be announced in January.
Further information about the competition may be acquired from www.galileocontest.eu, by email on pr@media-consulta.com.mt or on telephone number 2206 0152.
