Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1183920
maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 13 NOVEMBER 2019 12 COMMERCIAL "HUMANITY has reached a point where the true meaning of happiness and comfort has been lost to commod- ity and technological advancement. But sustainability balances the two, by mak- ing wise use of resources and thinking about the future rather than only the here and now." Marvic Refalo Gatt is one of the speakers at this week's Malta Sus- tainability Forum, organised by APS Bank, in partnership with Cool, PwC, GasanMamo and Go, and taking place at the Westin Dragonara Resort on 14 November. Hers will be one of a series of inspiring talks from local and inter- national sustainability experts. "There are many misconceptions about sustainability," says Refalo Gatt, "and one can never stop learning more about it. The key is to make people cu- rious." Refalo Gatt comes to the Forum with a background in education and as a specialist in Intercultural and Envi- ronmental Management of Schools. In 2007, she started working with Na- ture Trust Malta on Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) pro- grammes, which empower people to live in an environmentally conscious and sustainable manner. She supports schools in their sustainability efforts and provides educators with training on the topic. "Both my parents were teachers, who spent their free time growing crops, cooking, preserving foods, repairing things and being practically self-sus- tainable. We hardly threw anything away because we repurposed items that would at first seem beyond repair. "In those days, I wasn't aware of the word 'sustainability'," she explains. "I'd been teaching for a while when I heard about the Eco-Schools programme. I was thrilled because it combined my teaching career with my love for the environment. I've now been work- ing for many years as an Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) teacher helping in the coordination of Eco-Schools, Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) and Learning About Forests (LEAF) programmes." As most of us would admit, sustain- ability is an overwhelming topic, with many different faces, and sourcing a singular definition is troublesome. "Sustainability is indeed an ever- changing subject," remarks Refalo Gatt. "But this is where children and edu- cation are vital. Empowering students from a young age to learn, explore, speak out and act is critical. They are the future of our world." Learning more about sustainability is at the core of the Malta Sustainabil- ity Forum. It is a pioneering, day-long event that is open to the general pub- lic. 20 speakers who have devoted their lives to making the world a better place will give talks and participate in discussions to share their knowledge and experiences. Attendees will learn how to imple- ment positive changes in their lives, homes and organisations to lead more sustainable lives. The Forum will be opened by the President of Malta, Dr George Vella, and José Herrera – Minister for the Environment, Sustainable Develop- ment and Climate Change – will de- liver a keynote. The cutting-edge, forward-thinking Forum will become a yearly event, en- suring Malta is at the forefront of the sustainability agenda. "Now is the time to learn about the social, environmental and economic challenges we're facing and to share good practices that everyone can adopt, both on a small scale and col- lectively," says Refalo Gatt. "For me, it's about working towards a better future and celebrating what we can bring about if we all work to- gether." Tickets to the Malta Sustainability Forum, taking place on 14 November from 11am until 4.30pm at the Westin Dragonara Resort, start at €20, includ- ing a networking lunch. A special edition of the APS Talks se- ries will also take place that evening. To view the full agenda and register for the Forum, or for the evening APS talk, visit www.maltasustainabilityfo- rum.com. The time to make a change is now Marvic Refalo Gatt believes in empowering people from a young age to take responsibility for leading more sustainable lifestyles. She will present her thoughts on this, and more, at this week's Malta Sustainability Forum. The public is invited to attend Sustainability is indeed an ever-changing subject... But this is where children and education are vital. Empowering students from a young age to learn, explore, speak out and act is critical