Environment champion wins European prize
Environmentalist Astrid Vella has won a European award for voluntary work after she received over 12,000 votes from different countries in recognition of work carried out by Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar.
"This was a huge endorsement of our work in Malta to protect the environment," said Ms Vella.
"It is also a recognition of the way our group (FAA) has been raising environmental health issues like air pollution, water issues, quality of life issues and giving a voice to Maltese civil society," she said.
Although Ms Vella ranked fourth in the competition - organised by the Fédération Francaise du Bénévolat et de la Vie Associative (FFBA) to celebrate the International Volunteer Day on Friday - she was awarded a special jury prize for the most deserving work.
Over 98,000 votes were cast in total. Greece presenter Marie Kyriakou placed first with 56,616 votes for granting free air time to voluntary organisations.
Cypriot social worker Fotini Papadopoulou obtained 22,857 votes while Irish Marie Carroll garnered 14,654 for allowing free administrative time at a gym she runs. Ms Vella ranked fourth with 12,128 votes.
She pointed out that, while most entries to the competition included social and humanitarian voluntary work, the environmental work of FAA was considered to be of a high calibre by voters from European countries and beyond including China, Mexico, Argentina and the Vatican city.
On entering the competition - which was open to voluntary organisations within EU member states and other European countries - FAA submitted three main projects that included the battle against development in the Tal-Papa area in Birżebbuga, the scheduling of the area around Villa Bologna in Attard and the protection of the scenic sites Ramla l-Ħamra and Ħondoq ir-Rummien in Gozo.
On Friday Ms Vella attended the FFBA's European Forum of Voluntary Work at the European Parliament of Strasbourg during which the trophies were handed out.
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Astrid Vella
Dec 27th 2008, 13:54
@ Ray Sammut,
Thanks for your comments. In fact we came 4th in the public voting, amazingly ahead of countries like Germany, France, Italy and England. But it was our actual work that the Jury took into account in awarding us the prize for the overall most deserving cause, especially our campaigning in favour of clean, unpolluted air, water and energy conservation and preservation of Malta's natural and architectural heritage.
Raymond Sammut
Dec 14th 2008, 05:22
@ Astrid Vella
I have only just found out about the prize after checking the FAA site. I didn't think you could win it solely on votes since the Maltese are a much smaller population, but thankfully, the judges have given recognition to your abilities and dedication.
@ Mario De Bono
This is part of what you said:
"FAA does not have the last word on what should and shouldnt be done with buildings.", which is very true and is consistent with what Ms Vella said:
" ... our efforst to remind MEPA of its priorities to preserve the environment ... "
So nobody is wearing a brown shirt (heaven forbids). Just reminding MEPA that there are rules and regulations that apply to everyone, and that should always be adhered to for the general good and not for the benefit of the few. And also, the rules and regulations were enacted by freely elected politicians -- a concept that clearly both you and Ms Astrid support.
Lesley Kreupl
Dec 13th 2008, 17:41
I won't lower myself to comment on your comments Mr. De Bono. I can only say that Malta would be a much better place if there were more Astrid Vellas and less Mario De Bonos.
James A. Tyrrell
Dec 11th 2008, 21:27
The funny thing is Mr. De Bono I see many people writing in to the papers in support of Astrid Vella and the FAA but none writing in support of you. Thank God for that as it means there may be hope for the country yet.
I should also say that I found your comparison of FAA to Brownshirts disgusting to say the least, as I'm sure will a lot of Maltese people who are familiar with the term. It would seem however that you yourself are not very familiar with the term. The Sturmabteilung, which you are referring to, were an elected paramilitary organisation, something that you have already stated the FAA is not.
Mario De Bono
Dec 11th 2008, 12:12
I totally disagree with you that "MEPA is there to MEPA is there to carry out its planning role in the interests of the general community, not of the individual property owner." This is your opinion, an opinion that does not find resonance, thank god , with the majority of the Maltese population . MEPA is there to safeguard the interests of the individual as well as the common good. Thats why we the electorate elect politicians. We dont elect FAA, which is an NGO. FAA does not have the last word on what should and shouldnt be done with buildings. If FAA thinks it does, then it should be up there with the Brownshirts of the '30's.
Vociferousness and bullying MEPA does not mean you are right. And the media shoudl be more resoponsible and balaced and seek other people's opinions, not just the FAA's. Other people have opinions, which should be respected by the powers that be. Malta is not a presepju, and no one should stand in the way of responsible development!
Mario De Bono
Dec 11th 2008, 12:08
Dear Miss Vella
There is nothing wrong with mega-projects. Some developers are guilty of environmental damage, most are not. But the unmistakeable, unalienable truth is that developers who have managed to give this resource starved country the standard of living it has. It is developers who with their so called mega projects have attracted other businesses as spin offs. It is developers who ensure that money flows to our economy, the seed money that gats other industries and puts food on the table, ensures education for our young ones and ensure diversity in ideas. The building industry, with all its defects, has made that possible. MEPA have the sacred duty of ensuring an environment where development can happen and the country moves forward besides its duty to care for the environment. Just because FAA is vociferous doesn't mean its right.
Astrid Vella
Dec 11th 2008, 04:04
Dear Mr. De Bono,
Since most of our campaigns have focussed on damaging mega-projects, I hardly think that the developers involved can be described as "have-nots".
I am sorry if our efforst to remind MEPA of its priorities to preserve the environment have hurt you, however MEPA is there to carry out its planning role in the interests of the general community, not of the individual property owner.
James A. Tyrrell
Dec 10th 2008, 21:10
@Mario De Bono. The country needs more people like Astrid Vella and all the others in FAA.
Mario De Bono
Dec 10th 2008, 09:28
FAA is a movement that in my opinion tries to make free with other people's property without respect to these people's property rights. Maybe the organisers of such a contest would be interested to know how many ordinary people, who have been thwarted from realising the value of their property, have been financially and emotionally hurt by the FAA and the way it tries to bully everyone, starting from MEPA, to bend to its whims. FAA could have been so much better, instead it is a vehicle for people's petty envy mostly. Its a movement of the haves that militate against the interests of the have-nots.
pap camilleri
Dec 10th 2008, 07:08
Well done and thank you for all you have done and are still doing.We are hopeful that with your help what remains of Sliema might be spared, and people will no longer live in fear, that the house next door will be pulled down. You are a star Astrid.
paul buttigieg
Dec 9th 2008, 21:15
Astrid,
We from Moviment Harsien Hondoq are all very pleased to hear that you received this award, you deserve it.
Thank you for all the support you give us in our cause to save Hondoq.
Wish Malta and Gozo have alot more people like you that are not afraid to fight for our environment.
James A. Tyrrell
Dec 9th 2008, 20:38
I agree 100% with what others have said here Astrid. You should indeed be in the Maltese Parliament or the European Parliament. Think how much better the country would be, indeed Europe would be if the people in charge of protecting our environment and heritage really believed 100% in what they were doing as you obviously do.
Considering the size of the countries you were up against you did really well Astrid and the whole country is proud of you. Well done and keep up the good work.
lesley Kreupl
Dec 9th 2008, 18:16
Astrid we are all so proud of you!
Well done to you and the FAA team.
You are far too honest to be a politician and would therefore be wasted in Parliament, but I guess you would do a pretty good job as State President.
Go well, and keep up the good work.
Jesmond Bonnici
Dec 9th 2008, 18:15
There will never be another one like you, Astrid. Congratulations.
Angelo Xerri
Dec 9th 2008, 16:20
Angelo Xerri ( 7 hours 30minutes ago. Ms. Astrid Vella, I am sure the majority of the Maltese people are proud, because of your hard work to save the environment. Malta urgently needs people like you in the Maltese Parlament or the European Parlament. You done us Proud. Thank You.
Joseph V. Grech
Dec 9th 2008, 14:50
Have just read the good news - WELL DONE Ms. Astrid Vella! You did FAA and all Malta proud. Your work for the Maltese Environment (what's left of it) should serve as an inspiration to every Maltese - especially our politicians. Our political masters need to put national interests way before party interests. Sadly this is not always the case...far from it.
I personally believe that it is high time people like you should be in Parliament. Too many of our leaders get there on the party political ticket alas, which in my opinion, does not always guarantee their personal abilities and national zeal. That may explain why the environment has been desecrated for far too long now. Well done again and keep it up.
Mario Tabone-Vassallo
Dec 9th 2008, 11:59
Prosit tassew Astrid. You deserve it 100%
mike pace
Dec 9th 2008, 10:27
Well done Ms Astrid Vella in my opinion you should run for the in coming June European Elections with any Green party or aligned environmental backed political left alliance and you make a hit - Keep it up for your stand of freedom and respected ideas
God bless you and again well done
Kirill Micallef Stafrace
Dec 9th 2008, 09:29
well done
the least you deserve