Organic Agriculture and Eco-Gozo A world of challenges, opportunities and innovation
The conference was organised by Malta Organic Agriculture Movement (MOAM) in collaboration with the Ministry for Gozo and IFOAM-EU. The objective of the conference was to inform the participant as to how organic agriculture forms one of the important pillars for an ecological island. Eco-island vision: Gozo is targeting to become an ecological island by 2020, supported by a keen and committed sustainable community. The objective is to see quality of life in Gozo improving further through education, economic development and social progress. Gozo will strive to reduce its carbon and water footprints. At the same time protecting the Gozitan lifestyle, the island’s environment, limited resources, extensive culture and unique identity, and see that all these play a significant part in attracting more visitors and investors to the island. Sustainable Development aims at meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It is a way of life in which we strive to achieve the islands aspirations and desired quality of life, but without making it difficult for future generations to do the same. Sustainable living therefore implies the careful use of finite resources, and due attention to prevent damage on the environment. The measure of sustainability of a particular society is normally analysed by assessing three key sectors namely environmental, economic and social sustainability. Cultural sustainability is a fourth sector, whereby the protection of cultural diversity is taken as a further pillar leading to genuine sustainability. All these sectors lead to a single uniting aim – that of seeking a better quality of life for all, through responsible choices which safeguard the environment, our cultural legacy and Man’s aspirations - both now and in the future.
Conference Agenda:
08:45 – 09:20	Welcome coffee and registration
09:20 – 09:30	Mr. Mario Salerno – MOAM President Welcome Address. Download Presentation Download Speech
9:30 – 9:40	Hon. Giovanna Debono - Minister for Gozo Opening Address
	Foreword Message by Hon. Giovanna Debono Minister for Gozo I am pleased and honoured to welcome to Gozo this group of European citizens who are on the frontline of the promotion of sustainable practices in Europe. Welcome, and thank you for choosing to hold your forthcoming meetings in Gozo. This visit comes at a particularly significant time for our island, as we embark on the implementation of our eco-island venture. The objective of the eco-Gozo project is as simple as much as it is difficult – the achievement of high sustainable development goals for our island. Following an extensive stakeholder consultation process, our action plan – spanning the economic, social, environmental and cultural dimensions has now been set. Projects have started being implemented – and here is where we need to ensure that Government, local authorities, individuals, stakeholders, and civil society at large collaborate together so that our ultimate aims of sustainability and better quality of life are achieved. Agriculture – one of the prime guarantors of our natural and cultural landscapes - plays a determining role in the progression of our island towards Sustainable Development. The sector is still a significant player in the economic scenario of this island, and in this vision of an eco-island, we see this role strengthening further; to foster the creation of more green jobs, to safeguard the resources of this small island, to protect the preservation of land and the open countryside which make up Gozo’s rural character, and to support our genuine traditional products. In addition, organic agriculture is a key element in the development of an authentic eco- and agro-tourism experience expected from a successful eco-island. I hope that in the days you will spend on Gozo, you will get to know our island better, and become familiar with our exciting eco-Gozo project. I also wish you success in your workings. I look forward eagerly to the possibility that your visit will mark the start of a new and fruitful contact with Gozo, for the benefit of both our island and our European community. Giovanna Debono Minister for Gozo
9:40 – 10:05	ECO-Gozo – Action for a better Gozo – Documentary.
10:05 – 10:40	Christopher Stopes (UK)– IFOAM EU President "Food planning for security and sovereignty -local and global priorities." Setting the context from the organic point of view, thinking about global challenges and local solutions with the 'Ecological island' being the metaphor for individuals and communities surviving in a 21st century world where we now know the risks ahead. Download Presentation
10:40 – 10:50	Ing. Robert Vella Farrugia (Sponsor) Renewable Energy technology – Sun, wind and what else? Energy Conservation aids.
10:50 – 11:20	Ólafur R Dýrmundsson (Iceland) Meeting the challenges of a small island state To what extent can the eco-orientated Icelandic agriculture convert to organic farming? Download Presentation
11:20 – 11:40	Coffee Break
11:40 – 12:10	Leen Laenens (Belgium) Let’s liberate diversity: farmers’ rights over seeds and agricultural biodiversity. Download Presentation
12:10 – 12:20	Carmel Abela (Sponsor – TIP TOP - Electric bikes) Low no carbon footprint transport for an ECO-Island.
12:20 – 12:50	Anamarija Slabe – Slovenia "Plan B for Slovenia" defining a vision of low-carbon and high-biodiversity society in Slovenia. Download Presentation
12:50 – 13:00	Question time
13:00 – 14:30	Lunch break and discussions
14: 30 – 14:50	Éva Ács (Hungry) Theory and practice of organic farming in Kishantos- Hungary Download Presentation
14:50 – 16:20	Dr. Alex Beck (Germany) EU Regulation on Labelling of Organic Products Download Presentation
16:20 – 16:35	Short Coffee Break
16:35 – 17:00	Christopher Stopes (UK)– IFOAM EU President "Drawing together the priorities for action"
The official opening of the collective art exhibition by the Hon. Giovanna Debono - Minister for Gozo and reception took place after the conference. The participating artist were : Vince Caruana: with his innovative installations. Rebecca Grima: with her creative stone sculptures. Paul Haber: with his imaginative ceramics. C.S. Lawrence: with her colourful landscapes. Traditional Maltese snacks and locally produced wine was sponsored by Ta’Mena
“Perspective of an ECO-Island”
IFOAM-EU board meeting and site visits 18^th – 21^st March 2010
IFOAM Board members being shown around the Government Experimental Farm in Xewkija				Dinner at Ta’Mena with the Hon. Giovanna Debono
Christopher Stopes – IFOAM-EU President being interviewed
Olafur - Iceland				Karolina - Czech Republic
				Leen - Belgium
Dorota - Poland				Visit to the Cittadella
				Festa at Gharb
				At Manikata
Christopher Stope - UK - IFOAM-EU President				Anamarija Slabe - Slovenia
Leen (Belgium), Eugene(Ukraine), Marianne Schonning (Sweden)
Ta’ Mallia Organic Farm - Zebbieh				Eva Aks
Hon. Giovanni being presented with an Organic Hamper sponsored by Naturali
				Miriam Fiorini – Art Exhibition organiser whilst presenting the gifts to the speakers
Board Meeting				Olafur exchanging views with a farmer
Mr. Magro of Magro Bros.
Otto (Sweden)				Thomas ( Austria)
Thank you to all the supporters of this event