Preparations for the children's public hearing on the environment are well under way. The first phase - a drawing competition for teams of students attending SkolaSajf, was a success. Congratulations to the winning team from Fgura secondary school - Abigail Attard, Ritienne Abela, Jessica Carter and Elaine Pickard.
The second phase - an essay competition for children aged nine to 14 - is being launched in state, private and Church schools. Each school will receive a poster with the winning drawing and details for participation.
Participants in both activities will be invited to a children's public hearing on Wednesday, November 20, World Children's Day, at the Aula Magna, Old University Building Valletta at 6 p.m.
Children will be given the opportunity to express their ideas on the state of the environment to an adult audience. All children who take part in the competition will be given a certificate of participation. Prizes will be awarded to the first three winners of the competition. We wish all participants good luck!
Seminar on adult literacy
The Education Committee of NCW is organising a seminar on 'Literacy - Opportunities and Challenges' on Wednesday, October 30, at 6.30 p.m. at the Despott Hall, Education Department, Floriana. The key speakers will include Dr Charles Mifsud, Head of Department Art and Languages in the Faculty of Education at the University of Malta and Ms Mary Vella, director, Curriculum, Education Division, and Fr Edgar Busuttil, SJ. of the Paulo Freire Institution.
Literacy is particularly important for women, since national statistics show that the literacy rate among Maltese women is higher than that of men by 2% while 56% of the whole population never bother to read a book or magazine.
Education Minister Louis Galea has been invited to open the seminar.
Empowerment course
The next Empowerment Course for Women will start in the second week of October at NCW Premises. All those interested are to contact NCW Office (tel: 2124-8881 or 2124-6982); e-mail: ncwmalta@camline.net.mt