Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/982634
NEWS maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 16 MAY 2018 8 TODAY is the day we realise that there are still 72 states in the world that still criminal- ise same sex acts. Eight still include death sentences. Today is the day we realise that out of 204 states same sex marriage is only accepted in 24 of them. Today is the day when we realise that even with our progressive laws, someone out there is still calling the other "pufta". 17 May marks the In- ternational Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia. The notion of this idea was first conceived in 2004 and following discus- sions with several important organisations such as the International lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and inter- sex Association (ILGA), the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC), the World Con- gress of LGBT Jews, and the Coalition of African Lesbians, a campaign was run for a whole year leading up till 17 May 2005. This was when all federations mentioned above signed to approve the IDAHO proposal. This day is quite prominent in Europe and is celebrated by various events in sev- eral countries. An IDAHOT forum is also organised an- nually, with the 6th edition happening this year in Lisbon, Portugal. So, why is this day impor- tant? Because it commemo- rates all of the civil rights ac- tivists that brought change in society but, more importantly, creates discussions with poli- cymakers, communities, mass media and the general public by bringing awareness of the discrimination and prejudice queer communities still en- counter nowadays. This day presents us with the facts: there are still peo- ple in our country who are frowned upon because they hold hands with a same sex partner, who are ridiculed at work for asking to be ad- dressed with the right pro- noun or bullied at school because they act in a "dif- ferent way". This day builds within us the courage to act when another person is being stripped of their rights or sim- ply their dignity because of who they are. This does not come only from people in the queer community but also allies and therefore for this day the organisation LGBTI+ Gozo approached different celebrities to take part in the #WeStand campaign. The celebrities were asked to take a picture with the #WeStand banner and describe what diversity means to them. This was done with the aim to raise awareness that diversity is not something that hinders soci- ety but rather improves it. The public can now see that rather than fearing change we can welcome it. However, the campaign also aims to cre- ate discussions amongst the public and other stakeholders. This is because our coun- try has made progress with regards to laws and policies but we still need to continue working towards a more re- spectful society. It is a shame to pass certain laws and yet find resistance from certain ministries or institutions that resist those very laws. In fact in the IDAHOT Forum that was mentioned above, IGLYO will be present- ing a report that showcases that out of the 49 countries reviewed; currently there are only four that provide meas- ures with regards to LGBTIQ inclusion in schools. Malta happens to be one of these countries. By contrast, eleven countries have failed to implement any measure at the time of con- ducting this research and two have made international com- mitments without implement- ing any other measures. However, even if Malta has also introduced mandatory pre-service teacher training, this has not been extended to teachers who are cur- rently practising. These are also teachers who are in the classroom leaving an impact on the generations of tomor- row. Therefore these teachers should also be trained to be equipped on how to deal with certain situations without cre- ating any unnecessary damage. Other areas such as sport, medicine and leisure are also being addressed in the consultative committee, which gives a hope towards a better tomorrow. Yet, deci- sions without consultations or judgments adopted without feedback can only lead to worse situations. Therefore we as a society should all come together on this day and re-evaluate where we stand. This day symbolises that we, as members of society, all have our differences, are all made of strengths and weaknesses, but no matter what your background is we should all embrace, share and celebrate our diversity! Reb Xiberras is Secretary General of LGBTI+ Gozo Member organisations of the National Youth Council (KNZ) have been invited to submit opinion articles on topics affecting youths today, to its member organisations. The contents of the article do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Council. Let's celebrate diversity Reb Xiberras Dalli report on emissions seeks phase-out of polluting vehicles THE share of zero- and low- emission vehicles (ZLEVs) in the European Union should reach 20% of the sales of new pas- senger cars and new light com- mercial vehicles in 2025, going up to 50% by 2050, according to a draft report by Labour MEP Miriam Dalli. Dalli, in a draft report to be presented this morning in the European Parliament's Com- mittee on Environment, is also proposing an ambitious 25% re- duction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by light vehicles by 2025 and a 50% reduction by 2050. The European Commission is proposing a 15% target by 2025 and 30% by 2030. Dalli is the lead rapporteur for the regulation proposed by the European Commission on setting emission perfor- mance standards for new pas- senger cars and for new light commercial vehicles. The draft report seeks to push the European Union forward in decarbonising road transport, which contributes to about 20% of the EU's total emissions of greenhouse gases. Light duty vehicles alone – cars and vans – produce around 15% of the CO2 emissions. With an average daily addition of 33 licensed vehicles on the roads, Eurostat data has shown an increase in CO2 emissions in Malta whilst the share of electric and hybrid vehicles remains low, accounting for less than 0.5% of the entire stock. "Improved emission per- formance standards for new passenger cars and new light commercial vehicles have the potential to reduce CO2 emis- sions whilst contributing to- wards the reduction of green- house gas emissions and the mitigation of climate change," Dalli argues in her report. In addition to air quality im- provements, a switch to zero- and low-emission vehicles can deliver significant fuel savings to consumers and lower main- tenance vehicles, the MEP adds. Shifting towards ZLEVs is seen as critical for the EU to meet its obligations under the Paris Agreement targets. In addi- tion, Dalli insists that a stronger focus on innovation and new technologies will help the Euro- pean industry adapt to changing demands, especially in view of fast developments in battery and fuel cell technology which are expected to result in a quicker increase in global market shares for ZELVs. In her report, the Maltese MEP goes on to propose the financ- ing of programmes for the re- deployment, re-skilling and up- skilling of workers. These efforts would be co-financed through earmarked revenues from the premiums paid for additional emissions under the regulation. "[...] Current measures facili- tating the low-carbon transi- tion are also accompanied by targeted programmes for re- deployment, re-skilling and up-skilling of workers, as well as education and job-seeking initiatives conducted in close dialogue with the social part- ners. Such efforts should be co-financed by earmarked rev- enues from the collected excess emissions premiums," Dalli writes in her report. The proposal was made in re- action to concerns that a shift towards ZLEVs could lead to "job losses". Yet, an analysis car- ried out by Cambridge Econo- metrics shows that the transi- tion to electricity and hydrogen would create new jobs in man- ufacturing, the installation of charging infrastructure and in the production of renewable en- ergy. According to this analysis, the net impact on employment would be of 206,000 net addi- tional jobs by 2030.