Over 100 Ekoskola primary and secondary students from 22 schools discussed the Millennium Development Goals and local and global problems and proposed possible solutions at an annual children’s summit. The event at Le Meridien Hotel and Spa, St Julian’s, was organised by Nature Trust Malta with the support of HSBC’s water programme.

Among the suggestions put forward during a workshop focusing on water safety was one that more fundraising activities should be held to collect money for people in need.

Another proposal was that farmers should stop using, or use less pesticides, so that water may be safer to drink.

In workshops on poverty and hunger, the students suggested that more effort should be made to educate poor people and teach them life skills.

In a workshop on gender equality the children urged more to be done to protect the estimated 50 million girls who are still being denied education. At present many of these girls are forced to leave school at the age of 12. They recommended that locally, there should be more State support for NGOs caring for women and girls who are victims of domestic violence.

The students’ suggestions will be presented to MPs during the annual Ekoskola Parliament session.