AD Gozo Regional Committee
P.O. Box 6,
Victoria, Gozo.
Mobile Phone: 79017017
Landline: 21314040 Fax: 21564378
Local web site: www.adgozo.com
E-mail: gozo@alternattiva.org.mt
Forum: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AD-Ghawdex

Alternattiva Demokratika (AD) - The Green Party launched it's first ever Gozo Regional Committee during a press conference held in Independence Square, Rabat, Gozo on Saturday 16th October 2004. The Green Party Chairperson, Dr Harry Vassallo, described the establishment of this regional committee as a "milestone in AD's history as for the first time a regional committee will be permanently working in one particular district. This also means that Gozo will not longer be looked at just during electoral campaigns, but thanks to a committed group we will be dealing with issues affecting Gozitans all the time."

This commitment and high level of enthusiasm amongst the members of the Gozo Regional Committee is the result of the work and effort of Gozitan AD activists since the party's conception 15 years ago. Two Gozitans, particularly Mr. Anthony Falzon from Nadur and Mr. Anthony Farrigia from Victoria both contested the general lections since 1996. Since then the other individuals joined the group mainly persons with clear understanding that man and nature are inseparable. A good number of Gozitans kept striving to maintain an ecological balance while joining with organizations to foster the identity and characteristics of the island.

In the very recent years foreign residents residing in Gozo understood that a Green ideology is what is needed in order to protect the island from greedy and selfish developers whose impact on the island is having an irreversible effect. Returned migrants especially those coming from countries where they became familiar with the Greens ideology, also joined forces consciously to confront in themselves, our organizations, and the Gozitan society, barriers such as class oppression, sexism and homophobia, ageism and disability, which act to deny fair treatment and equal justice under the law. This group of people who believes in grassroots democracy played a very important role during the European Elections held last June. The campaign consisted mainly in organizing street walks and meeting people from all different background. The result obtained by The Green Party candidate

Profs Arnold Cassola was very encouraging as the Gozitan electorate voted for an alternative to traditional politics. An organised structure for the Grenn Party in Gozo was felt and this led to the development of the AD Regional Committee. The members derive from different backgrounds and represent various categories of Gozitans, some are former green party activists, others are new.

During the official launching of the AD Gozo Regional Committee, the Spokesperson for the AD Gozo Regional Committee, Mr. Victor Galea, explained the mission statement of the Regional Committee: "The Gozo Regional Committee of the Green Party (Alternattiva Demokratika) is established to provide a focus of action and debate for all persons resident in Gozo who desire to promote and implement the values of peace, justice, basic human equality, and self-determination, in an ecologically sustainable society as expressed in the manifesto of the Green Party and through its activities within the Green Party to place and maintain on the national political agenda all matters that can affect or improve the quality of life in Gozo by all democratic means including the achievement of representation in Local Councils and in Parliament."

"In Gozo the need for change is strongly felt. One of the most pressing needs is for Gozitan and Maltese authorities and organisations to listen to the needs of Gozitan families. Gozo deserves much better. The island has great potential which has unfortunately gone unnoticed or untapped during the last years due to a lack of coordination between different ministries. Many a time Gozo has been ignored by authorities and we feel the time has come to make the most of Gozo's great potential and give due consideration to the needs of Gozitans and Gozo at large rather than particular individuals for the sake of gaining votes. The Green Party will now be closer to the people in Gozo and have a closer look at the Gozitan reality and needs" Mr. Galea explained.

The committee, although at its embryonic stage, intends to strive hard to explain to Gozitans the key values of the Green Party. "Unfortunately there are some misconceptions amongst Gozitans about the Green ideology and values" Mr. Galea says. "I still recall when some members of the committee assisted Profs. Arnold Cassola during a meeting with a particular Gozitan authority, a few weeks before the MEP elections, and the comment of this public official was reprehensible. The person simply showed lack of knowledge of what the Greens principles are, by trying to give the impression that we Greens simply want to keep the island in a state of conservation and preservation. This shows that the immediate challenge of the AD Gozo Regional Committee is to explain to Gozitans that we recognize it is essential to create a vibrant and sustainable economic system, one that can create jobs and provide a decent standard of living for all people while maintaining a healthy ecological balance. A successful economic system will offer meaningful work with dignity, while paying a "living way" which reflects the real value of a person's work. If such policies proved fruitful in other European countries, why should it not for Gozo?

The AD Gozo Regional Committee is committed to support in anyway local individuals who look to economic development that assures protection of the environment and workers' rights; broad citizen participation in planning; and enhancement of our "quality of life". We support independently owned and operated companies which are socially responsible, as well as co-operatives and public enterprises that distribute resources and control to more people through democratic participation" Mr. Victor Galea asserts. "The right environment should be created, in which Gozitans do not shy away from expressing themselves because of any price they might have to pay for not complying or affiliating themselves with a polarized political system. The AD Gozo Regional Committee is promoting peace, equality, social justice, sustainable economy, respect of diversity, all of which are Green Principles. These principles will lead to greater awareness of Gozo's potential and enhance the economy which will benefit all residents and visitors."

The AD Gozo Regional Committee will be the link between the Gozitan Electorate and the Green Party - Alternattiva Demokratika. One of the first priorities for the AD Gozo Regional Committee will be to encourage frank and open discussion amongst those who have the well being of Gozo at hearth while recognizing the particular difficulties faced by Gozitans in the matter of freedom of expression. The Committee will be coordinating Green Party activities in Gozo and will play a central role in formulating AD's policies.

The first challenge for the AD Gozo Regional Committee will be a membership drive. "One way of doing this is through personal contact. The advantage of a small island with relatively small communities makes this more possible. In a week's time the Green Party shall create a symbolic event in one of the smallest villages in Gozo. It is planned that members of the AD Gozo Regional Committee together with Alternattiva Demokratika central committee members shall start a political outreach campaign in order to reach out for community members with the aim to understand the economic and social realities of the people living in various localities as well as to listen to their own concerns. Together, we can improve our personal well-being and at the same time, enhancing ecological balance and social harmony with the end aim of promoting a healthy island" concluded Victor Galea.

Anyone who would like to get in touch with this newly formed AD Gozo Regional Committee can do so by sending an email to
gozo@alternattiva.org.mt.

The postal address where one may write directly to the AD Gozo Regional Committee is: Alternattiva Demokratika Ghawdex, P.O. Box 6, Victoria, Ghawdex.