A communication strategy for the “Europe 2020 Strategy” was yesterday launched by Parliamentary Secretary Chris Said.

The strategy is the European Union’s plan for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth”. Dr Said explained that this project is one of the operations of a management partnership agreement between MEUSAC and the European Commission, and through which Malta has obtained €800,000, over a period of four years to develop and implement projects with the aim of communicating the European Union at different levels and with the different strata of society. The activities planned for this year include the second episode of the cartoon Tommy and Rosy carrying the theme of the European Year for Volunteering, a project aimed at showcasing EU funded projects in Malta, a roadshow, as well as the communication strategy for the Europe 2020 that was launched today.

The aim of this project is to disseminate information about the Europe 2020 strategy, the targets which have been set by the EU member states and how Malta can work to achieve these targets, namely:

• Work: 75 % of the population aged 20-64 should be in employment;

• Research, Development and Innovation: 3% of the EU’s GDP (public and private) should be invested in Research & Development;

• Climate Change and Energy: greenhouse gas emission to be 20% less than 1990 levels; 20% of energy generated shall be through alternative sources; and an increase of 20% efficiency in energy use;

• Education: early school leavers to be reduced to under 10%; and at least 40% of those between ages 30 and 34 to have a tertiary degree; and

• Poverty and Social Exclusion: people at risk of poverty and social exclusion to be reduced by 20 million.

Vanni Xuereb (Head of MEUSAC), Martin Bugelli (Head of the European Represenation in Malta) and Dr Julian Vassallo (Head of the European Parliament Office in Malta) and the members of MEUSAC staff involved in the project were also present for the launch.