Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/989894
11 CULTURE ENVIRONMENT maltatoday | SUNDAY • 3 JUNE 2018 THE photograph shows the same spectacular animal we featured in last week's Notebook, only in last week's picture the bird was alive. This beautiful avocet, a protected species, was shot by a hunter in a nature reserve, using illegal shot during the close season. Shame on this country, where the destruction of life and beauty is considered a sport, a right and a tradition. Shame. First steps taken to cut single-use plastics in Europe THIS week the European Commission has taken a leap for- ward in tackling plastic pollution, with new laws to reduce throwaway single-use plastics. The proposal, which is designed to prevent and reduce the impact of certain plastic products on the environment, and in particular the marine environment, sets a number of dif- ferent policy measures to tackle these problematic single-use products, from bans and reduction efforts, to labelling and ex- tended producer responsibility schemes. Following the public outcry these new laws are addressing the call of citizens. These positives steps will cut pollution and at the same time create job opportunities. Unfortunately though, the legislation fails to set specific EU-wide reduction targets for food containers and beverage cups, at least not be- fore 2027. We believe that it is vital to shorten this time period to three years after transposition rather than six The European Parliament and the Council of EU ministers will discuss and amend the legislative proposal in the coming months. 612. AVOCET ... interrupted Visit Friends of the Earth's website for more information about our work, as well as for information about how to join us. You can also support us by sending us a donation - www.foemalta.org/donate GREEN IDEA OF THE WEEK 515: Find out more and take our plastic free pledge: www.foemalta.org/vacancies/1803/ Text Victor Falzon •Photo BirdLife Malta THE European Union released five short films, directed by prominent European film- makers, which demonstrate how the rights and benefits enjoyed in the EU improve people's lives. The films aim to launch a di- alogue with young Europeans about the impact of the EU on their daily lives. The EU will also launch an information hub to support the films that aims to take young millennials on a journey of discovery about what the EU does for them. The films were premiered in Malta at a special screening in Malta, held at the Centru Kre- attiv, St James Cavalier. Many young people are una- ware of the full extent of the rights and benefits that they enjoy in the EU. Although they understand what the EU stands for, there is a lack of knowledge about the more tangible benefits it offers on a day-to-day basis. The films, each directed by a prominent European filmmaker, aim to start a conversation about the EU's impact on the lives of young people, aged 17-35, every single day. These benefits include sup- port when starting a business, as shown in Yorgos Zois' film Party Animal, and the abil- ity to order products online from anywhere in the EU, the theme of Tomasz Konecki's The Loner. Dalibor Matanić's Debut deals with the basic, fundamental rights enjoyed by each and every person living in the EU. "Fighting for humanity, for the chance of a better world, is a theme that runs through my work," said filmmaker Matanić, when asked about his involvement with the pro- ject. "I think we're making a story that everyone will un- derstand." The EU will also be giving young people the chance to make their own films through a Young Directors' Competi- tion. Participants will be chal- lenged to make films that tell the story of the EU's contribu- tion to people's lives, enabling them to do what they love. To enter, participants are asked to submit a written synopsis of the plot, and a smartphone video of themselves explaining the rationale behind their film. Ten finalists will be selected by a jury of directors, and five winners will be picked by a public vote. The winners will receive a grant to make their film. All ten films – by the five professional directors and the five young directors – will be supported by an online in- formation hub which aims to provide real-life examples along with facts and figures that show what the EU has achieved in the interest of young people. From access to help at the embassy of any EU country when travelling worldwide or participating in schemes such as Erasmus+, the benefits of the EU are vast and also include the right to emergency healthcare in any Member State, as well as the ability to use your phone any- where in the EU without pay- ing any roaming charges. EU uses film to woo millennials