Visibility actions and training on the implementation of the Aarhus Convention in Malta

Abstract

With the purpose of strengthening environmental democracy and improving the implementation of the public’s environmental rights, the Malta Environment & Planning Authority (MEPA) and the Austrian Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt) have compiled tailored guidelines on the rights and obligations related to the Aarhus Convention. These guidelines offer practical and tailored advice for civil servants, for industry and for the public to ensure that public authorities are accountable for environmental decisions. The guidelines for civil servants and for the general public were presented during visibility actions organised for civil servants (24.-25.03.2009) and for NGOs, local councils and the public (26.03.2009) in Malta. The initially foreseen training and awareness-raising seminars have been enhanced to the extent of visibility actions, in order to address as many civil servants and members of the general pubic as possible, in compliance with the core contents of the Aarhus Convention. Nominated civil servants from public agencies and institutions, the general pubic and its representatives (11 NGOs, the Association of the Local Councils and all 68 Local Councils in Malta) were invited. Of these, 18 civil servants, 1 NGO, 18 Local Councils and 3 members of the general public confirmed their attendance. The visibility actions were attended by respectively 18 civil servants, 2 representatives of the NGOs, 8 representatives of the Local Councils and 3 members of the general public.