A stronger voice for NGOs in Europe

June 5 marks World Environment Day and the commemoration of this day this year also falls on the eve of the European Parliament elections. Malta needs effective representation in the ENVI Committee of the European Parliament which addresses issues related to the environment, food safety and public health, in the face of the growth in renewable energy sectors and growing concern about the impacts of climate change.

Six months before the COP 15 United Nations Conference on Climate Change in Copenhagen next December 7, anyone taking up a seat in the European Parliament come next July 14 must have a working knowledge of the dynamics of climate change to be able to formulate a pro-environmental stand which is also not detrimental to our country's economic development.

The EP is assuming an increasingly important role in air quality and bathing water quality standards, besides the protection of ecologically important Natura 2000 sites.

I believe that NGOs should have stronger representation at EU level, and I fully support calls for a single 'umbrella federation' for NGOs of each country that meet and dialogue with a dedicated ‘contact group' that reports directly to a new EU Commissioner for Civil Society. I fully support the cardinal points of the following manifesto as drafted by NFNM (National Federation of NGO's in Malta) which include the following:

1. A Charter for Civil Society would set out the key recommendations for NGOs and also for the EC, this is aimed at increasing transparency and trust on both sides

2. An interlocuteur on the official side, this would ideally be a Commissioner as it would allow civil society organisations to engage with a clear point of contact

3. A space for civil society organisations to meer more effectively, this may be the Economic & Social Committee if it is more open to NGO representation

4. A stronger coalition of civil society organisations brought together within the Civil Society Contact Group with an effective representation of the national umbrella associations