Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1115758
29 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 12 MAY 2019 Mina Tolu 'An inclusive Europe is one where everyone participates as they wish in work, life and democracy' Mina Tolu is a 27-year-old LGBTQI activist who has contributed to campaigns for LGBTQI, women, and youth rights for the past eight years in Malta and internationally. In 2010, Mina was one of the founding members of We Are, LGBTQI Youth and Student Organisation at the University of Malta. They were Communications Officer of We Are from 2010 – 2013, and President of the organisation in 2014. Mina joined the executive board of IGLYO (The International LGBTQI Youth and Student Organisaton) from 2014- 2015 as Communications Officer and later, Co-Chair. While at University, Mina was elected as one of the student representatives for the faculty of Media and Knowledge Sciences, and contested the 2014 student council elections (KSU) with PULSE. In 2014 they won the student award at the first LGBTQI Community Awards in Malta. Mina joined BirdLife Malta as campaign coordinator for the referendum campaign on banning spring hunting, which was held in April 2015. Mina lived in Berlin from August 2015 till the end of 2018. Where they worked on communications and campaigns at Transgender Europe (TGEU), an organisation which works for the equality of all trans people in Europe. In November 2017 Mina joined the Campaign Team of the Federation of Young European Greens. In January 2018, Mina was selected as one of 300 young activists from around the world to take part in the Women Deliver Young Leaders Program on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights. Mina moved back to Malta in December 2018. Name Mina Tolu Party Alternattiva Demokratika - The Green Party (EGP) Age 27 Contact 79374336, email: mina.tolu@alternattiva.org.mt Facebook minatolu.eu Twitter @mina_tolu An inclusive, social and sustainable Europe The priorities that I would champion as an MEP would pave the way towards a more Inclusive, Social and Sus- tainable Europe An Inclusive Europe is one where our opportunities and life paths are not determined by personal characteristics and existing societal oppres- sion. An Inclusive Europe cel- ebrates all kinds of abilities, genders, minds and bodies and is a Europe where everyone can participate as they wish in work, life and democracy. An Inclusive Europe is wel- coming and aware of Europe's power in the world. A Social Europe is one where time, per- sonal growth and community is valued. A Social Europe sees the automation of work as an op- portunity for all of us to lead more fulfilling lives. A Social Europe supports young peo- ple's journey into work. A Social Europe guarantees ac- cess to basic necessities for everyone. A Sustainable Europe is one where we consume healthy, pesticide-free food. One with seas full of fish not plastic. A Sustainable Europe has high animal welfare standards. A Sustainable Europe is 100% run on renewable energy that is produced locally. For transition to an Inclu- sive, Social and Sustainable Europe I will work: - for full inclusion of persons with disabilities in European societies through full imple- mentation of the UN Conven- tion on the rights of persons with disabilities; - to establish safe and legal channels for migration to Eu- rope and for a Common Eu- ropean Asylum System that is fair and based on solidarity; - to close gaps in legal pro- tection on grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics; - for a complete ban on arms exports from EU MS to coun- tries outside of the EU; - to raise the minimum wage and to ensure a minimum in- come for young people and push for a Universal Basic In- come coverage for all; - to ban discriminatory wag- es and unpaid internships; - to protect people from ex- ploitation when renting prop- erties and work for a European policy that gives everyone ac- cess to affordable housing; - to increase the Erasmus budget and make Erasmus ex- changes more accessible. - to combat planned obso- lescence of products so that things we buy will be long- lasting, repairable and reus- able; - to ensure that EU laws on single use plastic are being im- plemented and strengthened; - for an ambitious European climate law with binding car- bon budgets, binding emission reduction targets and a mini- mum carbon price. - to cut all subsidies for fossil fuels. I feel strongly about these principles... Do you agree with the creation of an EU army? No Should corporate taxation be harmonised across the European Union? No. The advantage for a Member State to set its own tax policy should be ethically exercised so that other Member States' public budgets are not disrupted. Should children of refugees born on Maltese soil be entitled to Maltese citizenship? Yes Should MEPs have the power to veto decisions taken by the European Council? No. A much more nuanced discussion on vetoes within EU Council should be had. MEP, or EP, or EP group vetoes might change my answer. Should Malta stop selling citizenship, which is also EU citizenship, under the IIP? Yes Should Turkey be a member of the EU? Yes Should border controls be reintroduced in Schengen countries? No Do you agree with a 'Mare Nostrum' style European rescue mission in the Mediterranean financed by the EU budget? Yes Quick-fire Q&A EUROPE 2019 THIS IS A SPONSORED FEATURE