NSTF MINI EUROPEAN ASSEMBLY STUDENT DELEGATES IN PARLIAMENT
The NSTF Mini European Assembly XXI recently came to a close with the final plenary session held in the House of Representatives. The session entitled: "Does Goliath Always Win? Are the Interests of the Consumers and Patients at the Mercy of the Markets?” focused on the interests of consumers and patients in today’s global market and was chaired by the recently appointed Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Hon Dr Michael Frendo. The EU Commissioner John Dalli delivered the Keynote Address to the Assembly during his visit from Brussels.
Teams from the University of Malta representing Spain and the Czech Republic presented a Report and a Resolution respectively which were debated and voted upon during this Plenary Session.
The Award Presentation Ceremony followed, presided by the Hon Karl Gouder, himself a Mini European Assembly alumnus. The Teams from the University of Malta, St. Aloysius College and Junior College representing Spain, United Kingdom and Malta placed 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively. These students will participate in an Educational Prize Tour to the Major European Institutions in Brussels & Strasbourg during the last week of June.
Furthermore the first two placed students on individual merit, Josef Beck and Vikesh Godhwani, both from St Aloysius College representing Armenia, were awarded the Elvia Agius & Gerald Montanaro Award offered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The next eight placed students, Matthew Drake (Junior College), Maxine Gatt (University of Malta), David Cassar (St. Aloysius College), Loradine Pisani (Sir M.A. Refalo, Gozo), Louanne Caruana (University of Malta), Julian Bonnici (St. Martin’s College), Mathias Mallia and Benjamin C. Cassar (both Junior College), nominated Ambassadors of the NSTF – Mini European Assembly XXI will be invited to participate in the Model European Parliament Session in Istanbul in November. The Best Effort Award offered by the Ministry for Education, Employment and the Family was awarded to Ilona Deguara from St Martin’s College. Albert Camilleri from the University of Malta was awarded the Prize for Best Speaker offered by the Malta House of Representatives.
European Commission Poster Competition Award Ceremony
Twenty years ago, the United Nations adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child, 30 years after the UN Declaration of the Rights of the Child. The European Commission, DG Justice, Freedom and Security has dedicated the 4th edition of its youth poster competition to celebrating the anniversary of this important agreement.
The National Student Travel Foundation is proud that once again it has had the opportunity to coordinate this project on a national level and invite students to reflect and appreciate the Rights which all of them have and then work in teams to produce their works of art.
The slogan of this competition was “Draw me a right!” The participation has been constantly increasing throughout the years: more than 9,000 teams from all over the European Union took up the challenge in 2010. This year, in Malta there were over 30 posters received, which means that some 150 youths have been engaged in the project.
The Winners in each age category were announced during the Award Ceremony held recently at the Office of the European Commission Representation in Malta. Mr William Martin, Acting Head of Representation, presented Certificates and Medals to students from St. Joseph Senior School Sliema, St. Dorothy Senior School Zebbug, Sacred Heart Seminary in Gozo, St Martin’s College and Junior College.
The best posters will be displayed on the websites of the Commission’s representations in the Member States and on the Europa getaway. They may also be used for future European campaigns.
After the Award Ceremony at ‘Europe House’, the European Commission invited all the winning students and the accompanying supervisors to a Boat Party while cruising the Harbour, coordinated by NSTF.
28th Jan 2009
NSTF was once again responsible for the national coordination of a Poster Competition organised by the Directorate-General for Justice, Freedom and Security of the European Commission. This year’s theme “CHILDREN’S RIGHT TO PROTECTION” emphasized one of the most fundamental European values – guaranteeing children’s rights and raising awareness of these rights in all member states.
The record number of participants had thought long and hard about children’s right to protection. This experience will surely leave a lasting impression on all involved which will surpass their childhood and youth and ensures that as adults they will demand that the right of children to be and feel protected is safeguarded at all times.
The students from St. Dorothy won the national competition and went on to win the first prize from among the 27 entries in Brussels. Upon their return to Malta, they paid a visit to the Prime Minister at the Auberge de Castille and were congratulated by Mr. Francis Stivala, Secretary General at NSTF.
