A European Parliament Civil Forum discussing ‘Gozo as an Ecological Island’ on the 5th of June will give space to citizens, environmental NGOs, policy makers, Members of the European Parliament, business people, tourist operators and other local stakeholders to discuss how this often-referred-to idea could be expressed in practical terms.

Pertinent to the debate will be a wide array of perspectives ranging from the need for environmental sustainability to fostering a business environment, the need to further develop the tourist industry to considerations on the particular social fabric of Gozo and its inhabitants’ aspirations, as well as issues such as land ownership, agriculture and the economy.

Sharing her vast experience as a keynote speaker of the debate will be German Member of the European Parliament Gisela Kallenbach, from the Greens/European Free Alliance Group. She will draw on practical examples on how the island could attract more tourists in a sustainable way, as well as how more jobs for locals could be created through investment in, for example, renewable energy.

A qualified engineer in chemical technology who has represented the city of Leipzig on the Eurocities environment committee, Ms Kallenbach is presently a Member of the European Parliament’s Committee on Regional Development. Ms Kallenbach was international mayor of the UN Mission in Kosovo between 2000 and 2003. *

The ‘Gozo as an Ecological Island’ Civil Forum will be moderated by hydrologist Marco Cremona, who was one of the people behind an energy invention that won this year’s national prize for the Energy Globe Awards. One of the most prestigious environmental prizes worldwide, the Energy Globe Awards were awarded during a ceremony at the European Parliament in Brussels last week.

The European Parliament Valletta Office Civil Fora that will kick off with the Gozo debate on 5th June will be taking a different format than usual and will be based on a debate engaging the main speaker and individual members. The aim of the fora is to create spaces for dialogue involving citizens, civil society and policy makers who can share information, engage in discussion and put forward new ideas on a salient policy issue.

The ‘Gozo as an Ecological Island’ Civil Forum will be held at Ta’ Mena Estate, Marsalforn valley, Gozo, on Thursday, 5th June at 7pm.

Those interested in attending are asked to register via email on epvalletta@europarl.europa.eu or by calling the EP Valletta Office 21235075.

* Further details about MEP Gisela Kallenbach may be found on www.europarl.europa.eu

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