In the Media

The Malta Independent
17th December, 2006

Peaceboat's maiden voyage to Malta

The Peaceboat, which is a non-government and non-profit organisation dedicated to promote peace, human rights, equal and sustainable development and respect for the environment has, over the last few years, organised a series of global voyages on board the cruise liner Topaz, in order to forward its aims.

It called at Malta for the first time last Tuesday, carrying over 800 passengers.

The Peaceboat, apart from having special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, is an affiliate member of Friends of the Earth International. Last spring it was in touch with Friends of the Earth (FoE) Malta and The Gaia Foundation in preparation for its inclusion of Grand Harbour among its ports of call.

In the days prior to its arrival, the boat invited Rudolf Ragonesi, representing the two local NGOs, to give a series of talks on Maltese history, the environment, organic farming, fair trade and asylum seekers in Malta and the Mediterranean.

Dr Ragonesi also held meetings with Peaceboat representatives on "greening" the boat.

Once ashore, a number of passengers joined an excursion to Gaia's Elysium visitor Centre at Għajn Tuffieħa, where they took part in a tree adoption and tree-planting programme. They were also given a tour of the centre, the nursery for indigenous plants, the organic farm and the special area of conservation at Għajn Tuffieħa. Representatives of FoE Malta and Gaia then conducted a workshop on eco tourism.

The passengers' general impression of the island was very positive, and Ken Rhodes, an international coordinator for the PeaceBoat, said that it was their intention to include Malta in its future global voyages, and maintain collaboration with FoE Malta and Gaia in the promotion of sustainable living.

The Topaz is represented in Malta by SMS.