The Gozo Youth Council (GYC) the umbrella organisation that gathers 28 youth organisations based in Gozo and the Gozitan Youths, hosted its first Youth Conference on Saturday, at the Grand Hotel in Mgarr Gozo.

As part of the Council’s “iLead – The Creative Leader Academy” project, the conference served as a platform to present the outcomes of the project, as participants presented a policy document for the future of Gozo and its Youths. The project has been funded by EEA Grants and SOS Malta and co-financed by Agenzija Zaghzagh. For the past 12 months, participants have attended sessions and workshops with an international expert, together with local intellectuals, journalists and entrepreneurs in order to learn skills in leadership. These include entrepreneurial abilities, tools in advocacy, learning tools, skills in delivery and action, as well as training in confidence and empowerment.

At this conference the Gozitan Youths presented the 1st Holistic Plan for Gozo titled “Gozo- A vision with enthusiasm” with over 60 proposals for discussion for the present and future of Gozo. Such proposals included 1) Legal Recognition of Gozo as a region, 2) More autonomy to the Gozitans with a Regional Parliament 3) A second international airport 4) An International University based in Gozo 5) A fast ferry service for passengers and cars between the islands 6) The six MEPs should be elected from 6 regions giving one MEP for each region. Marc Schembri, GYC President, commenced the Conference by congratulating the participants and urging the implementation of the policy document, with which the youth of Gozo are now equipped.

Thanking EEA Grants and SOS Malta for funding the project and Agenzija Zaghzagh for their co-financing, Mr Schembri continued: the project He continued “Gozo needs us. Gozo needs youths that are ready to invest in it, that are ready to face its dire brain drain situation and do something about it themselves.”

He also underlined the Councils way forward, that of serving, “not only the Gozitan Youths residing in Gozo, but also those facing challenges in Malta..

Project Manager Ryan Mercieca claimed that this is a pioneer project in our islands. “It was mostly inspired from the frustration the Gozitan community feels due to the brain drain experienced year, after year in Gozo,” he said.

He added that, “this is the start of a new form of activism in Gozo – the moving away from the political to the regional. Gozo has a lot of patrimony, and should not be considered as a periphery of Malta. It should not be seen as a subject of once in a while.’ The positive developments rendered in Gozo will automatically yield progress for the Maltese nation as a whole.”

The Conference continued with the presentation of certificates and further interventions. SOS CEO Claudia Taylor-East and Agenzija Zaghzagh CEO Miriam Teuma addressed the youth, stressing that their work has only just begun, as they must look forward to implement their plans for Gozo.

Minister for Gozo Dr. Anton Refalo, His Excellency Bishop of Gozo Mario Grech, Shadow Minister Dr. Chris Said and Opposition spokesperson for youths David Agius also contributed with words of encouragement.

Photographs: Alain Salvary

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