The Directorate for Research, Lifelong Learning and Employability (DRLLE) within the Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research, and Innovation (MEYR) in Malta, had the pleasure of holding a series of workshops as part of the Active Citizen Education programme. These workshops were delivered in collaboration with various NGOs to promote active citizenship to the general public.

 

Friends of the Earth Malta

The workshop entitled Learning More so we do Better was held on the premises of the lifelong learning centre, and in collaboration with, Friends of the Earth Malta on 17^th July 2023. During the workshop, Project Coordinator Anne-Marie Apap and Project Assistant Annalise Falzon led participants through a series of activities designed to stimulate the participants to engage in discussions and exercises relevant to the theme of the workshop.

Since 1985, Friends of the Earth Malta has been active in Malta's environmental field. Over the years, Friends of the Earth Malta has successfully coordinated dozens of activities and projects that have engaged diverse sectors of Maltese society. These sectors include schoolchildren, farmers, migrants, university students, beekeepers, the elderly, scientists, and artists. Aiming to provide innovative solutions rooted in solid knowledge and information, the organisation particularly focuses on promoting alternatives to certain environmental behaviours. The mission of Friends of the Earth Malta encompasses various aspects, including participation in national demonstrations, advocating for policy changes, disseminating information to the Maltese public, and collaborating on transnational campaigns with its global partners. The organisation's commitment to fostering positive environmental change remains unwavering.

Anne Marie and Annalise play pivotal roles within Friends of the Earth Malta. Anne Marie's academic background includes a degree in Human Geography with a specialisation in Environmental Governance from the University of Amsterdam. Drawing from her volunteering experiences across Brazil, Portugal, and Italy, she channels her passion into areas such as water management, climate action, and combating food waste. Similarly, Annalise's contributions are crucial, as she operates in the capacity of a Geography teacher and environmental science educator. Beyond teaching, her licensure as a nature walk-focused tourist guide adds an intriguing dimension to her involvement. Notably, her collaboration with diverse environmental non-governmental organisations further enhances her impact on Friends of the Earth Malta’s initiatives. Together, Anne Marie and Annalise play instrumental roles in driving and overseeing key initiatives that advance the organisation's mission and impact within Friends of the Earth framework.

 

 

Session Synopsis

Understanding the vital importance of safeguarding both urban and natural environments from pollution and the inefficiency of resource usage lies at the heart of this session. Delving into the world of sustainability entails not only grasping this significance but also unleashing creative potential in designing alternatives that align with this vision. A fundamental aspect of this journey involves the ability to accurately differentiate between recyclable and non-recyclable plastics in everyday household items. This awareness, coupled with the skill to identify and adopt sustainable substitutes for disposable plastics, forms a crucial part of nurturing environmentally conscious habits. Additionally, participants gained insights into the significance of efficient water management within the realm of local agriculture, contributing to a holistic understanding of responsible resource utilization.

 

 

The following questions were among the many prompts offered to the participants, through various interactive and engaging thematic activities and exercises:

• To which bin should items be disposed?
• What are the methods for composting?
• What items are considered non-recyclable?
• How can initiatives be developed to incentivise increased participation of local farmers in land cultivation?

 

Event Summary

The workshop commenced with an introduction to Friends of the Earth Malta’s aims and campaigns on Food, Agriculture & Biodiversity, and Resource use. In the initial phase of the workshop, participants were introduced to the term sustainability and equipped with vocabulary to discuss circular economy and zero waste with their peers. This not only facilitated effective communication but also fostered team-building activities, thereby benefiting from the diverse perspectives present among the participants.

Through a hands-on activity, participants learnt to correctly distinguish between recyclable and non-recyclable plastics from common household items, and identified opportunities to find alternatives to single-use plastics in their everyday life through role-playing scenarios. To tie in with the upcoming theme of agriculture the participants were given step-by-step examples of how to create DIY composting systems at home, to reduce waste and reuse food & gardening scraps.

Furthermore, participants were introduced to the role and importance of local agriculture, highlighting national food sovereignty and positive environmental impacts of farmers as ‘land keepers’. Here participants were introduced to the importance of Biodiversity in sustainable agriculture and the role of local pollinators through a fun quiz where participants get to identify local pollinators and pollinating plants.

As the workshop reached its end, participants embarked on crafting seed bombs, encapsulating seeds of native plant species within a blend of clay and soil. These seed bombs are instrumental in rewilding and greening areas around the island.

 

For more information about Friends of the Earth Malta, please visit their social media channels: Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter).

DRLLE thanks the participants of this workshop and looks forward to a stronger and future collaborations with Friends of the Earth Malta.