With great satisfaction, the National Youth Council (KNŻ) recently heard of Karl Gouder’s nomination as a new Member of Parliament. Apart from the fact that Karl Gouder is the now the youngest member of the Maltese Parliament, this news was greatly welcomed as Karl Gouder had also been an executive member of the National Youth Council in 2006. 

This is very much in sync with the work of the National Youth Council which has promoted the active formation and participation of both Maltese and Gozitan youths within the country. The National Youth Council further believes that Karl Gouder is an example of those Youths who have benefited from the Council’s endeavours in this respect. 

The National Youth Council (KNZ) welcomes the revised National Youth Policy and regards this document as an important millestone for youth policy since it addresses several key areas which are directly linked to the well being of young people. The National Youth Policy will enable more work to be done with the aim of improving the standard of living, as well as well as for increasing the active participation and direct involvement of youth workers. This will be highly beneficial to Maltese youths, since they will become more active citizens, with more vision and determination in bringing forward the changes required, thus serving as a contribute for the devlopment of our country.

The new Executive Committee for the year 2010-2011 was elected during the Annual General Assembly of the National Youth Council (KNŻ) held on the 20th March at the Grand Hotel Excelsior, Floriana.

The members of the Executive Committee are:
Edward Said, President;
Sean Meli, Secretary General;
Dirk Urpani, Assistant Secretary General;
Priscilla Muscat Public Relations Officer;
Rachel Cassar, Financial Officer;
Ylenia Caruana, International Officer;
Anson Aquilina, EU Officer;
Vivienne Bajjada, Liason for Public Entities Officer;
Thea Mizzi, National Events Officer;
Matthew Vella, Social and Public Policy Commisioner;
Ann Julene Spiteri, Commissioner for Youth Services;
Ryan Mercieca, Sectoral Committee Co-ordinator and
Michael Calleja, Sectoral Committee Officer.

The European Commission launched the 4th edition of its poster competition for youngsters to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Children and teen-agers wishing to take part in the competition will have to design a poster illustrating one of the rights enshrined in the Convention. Participants will be divided in two age categories (10-14 and 15-18) and will have to work in groups of four members (supervised by an adult). The entries will be judged first at the national level and prizes will be awarded to the three best teams in each age category during ceremonies to be held in Malta at the beginning of April 2010.

The winners of the first prize in the national competitions will compete in a second round at European level. The three top teams in each age group will be invited to visit Brussels from 8 to 10 May 2010, for a memorable weekend and a tour of the European institutions, as well as to attend a European award ceremony.

The National Student Travel Foundation (NSTF) is responsible for the local competition. Anyone interested in obtaining more information about this Competition is invited to check out www.europayouth.eu or contact Mariella-Pia Tabone/Bernadette Hall at NSTF at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or on 2558-8241.