Your Voice Your Europe Campaign
Your Voice, Your Europe was a European Elections 2024 awareness, education, and capacity building campaign which aimed to inform and engage European citizens across Europe, especially in Malta and Gozo, about the upcoming parliamentary elections and the importance of active participation in the democratic process.
The events we created for the campaign successfully educated citizens about the structure, functions, and decision-making processes of the Pan-European Parliament. It provided information on the role of parliamentarians specifically via the European village, the legislative agenda, and how policies are formulated and implemented at the European level. This therefore enhanced the understanding of the common citizen in European affairs such as the workings of the European Institution. Our events were aimed to motivate citizens to actively participate in the electoral process. They emphasised the importance of casting votes, engaging in debates, and joining political discussions to shape the future of Europe.
Speak with Impact: Mastering the Art of Public Speaking Workshop
The Workshop, held in February 2024, was a cornerstone event in the broader ‘Your Voice Your Europe’ campaign. This workshop focused primarily on the voice aspect, being designed to empower participants with the essential techniques and strategies needed to enhance their public speaking abilities, ensuring they could effectively convey the European Parliament’s priorities and messages. The event successfully combined expert-led instruction with hands-on practice, creating a comprehensive learning experience for all attendees.
The primary objective of the workshop was to equip participants with the skills necessary to communicate complex ideas in an impactful manner, focusing particularly on topics central to the European Parliament’s mission and also immediately put those skills to practice. This included promoting European values, safeguarding citizens’ rights, and fostering deeper European integration. Delivered by JEF Malta Executive Board Members in collaboration with a seasoned public speaking trainer the workshop spanned two hours and covered a broad range of public speaking fundamentals. A coffee break was provided to participants towards the end of the session.
MEP Debate
The pinnacle of our campaign, organising a panel debate featuring Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) provided an opportunity both for citizens to engage with MEP candidates and gain insight and knowledge as to their intentions and ideologies, as well as for the candidates to engage with the target audience directly. The debate was held at the University of Malta and was by far the most successful debate of its nature held on campus for these European Elections. The debate was meticulously organised, and the questions asked to the panellists were carefully crafted depending on the questions attendees were asked to provide together with their attendance application. On the panel, Alex Agius Saliba MEP together with EE24 candidates Steve Ellul, Peter Agius, Norma Camilleri, Sandra Gauci, Matthias Portelli and Arnold Cassola were debating the questions, while current EP President Roberta Metsola gave the opening address to the audience.
Attendees gained insights into EU-related issues, heard different perspectives, and interacted with the MEPs. The questions asked encapsulated a plethora of very topical conversations across Europe, namely on the Common Defence and Security Policy, the European Green Deal, the pact on Migration and Asylum, European Federalism, youth and cost of living in the EU, as well as what the candidates would do should they be elected. Organising a panel debate with MEPs allowed for in-depth discussions on such priority subjects and issues. The debate further highlighted the EP’s role as a democratic forum for debate and decision-making, and its influence on shaping EU legislation.
European Village
JEF Malta in typical fashion organised the European Village in celebration of Europe Day, and played a pivotal role in the event, establishing an interactive information stand that became a central hub of activity. The stand was curated to offer attendees a wealth of information and engagement opportunities regarding EU policies, the functioning of the European Parliament, and the critical importance of the upcoming European elections. The collaborating organisations as well as EPLO also established their own respective stands, helping transform one of the busiest areas on campus into a full-fledged ‘European Village’, further fostering the European Spirit.
