Eco-Gozo and Gozitan Students
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ADDRESS: Grupp Universitarji Għawdxin, GUG, University of Malta - Gozo Campus, Mġarr Road, Xewkija, Gozo, Malta. WEB: www.gug.org.mt/ EMAIL: [email protected] Mobile: 00356 79256904 Eco-Gozo and Gozitan Students The aim of this report was to discover the attitude of Gozitan students towards the Eco- Gozo vision. Specifically, the focus was on their participation in the public consultations for the action plans. Data was gathered through an online survey sent to GUG members. Correspondence with some of the members showed that the general attitude with regards to the Eco-Gozo initiative was one of some indifference; it seemed that they knew very little about Eco- Gozo. Questions in the online consultation: 1. Did you know of the public consultation for the Action Plan 2013-2015? 2. Did you participate in the previous Action Plan? 3. If you did not know of it, would you have participated if you knew? 4. Do you know of any projects carried out by Eco-Gozo? Can you list them? 5. How do you think Eco-Gozo has affected Gozo? 6. Do you think that the Eco-Gozo vision is suitable for Gozo? Conclusion The information obtained from this report is unfortunately rather limited due to the markedly low response and interest that was received overall. The lack of participation could in itself be a significant indication of the general sentiment surrounding Eco-Gozo Action Plans. It seems that certain apathy is felt due to lack of information about the projects being developed. It would be expected that the topic of Eco-Gozo would be of great interest to Gozitan students since it concerns their homeland’s present and future and hence affects their quality of life. This strengthens the suggestion that lack of involvement is caused by insufficient availability of information. In fact, when asked to list some of the Eco-Gozo projects the majority of responders were unable to answer. This situation could be related to the modes of distribution of information regarding the consultation and projects. The majority of those who did know had found information through leaflets received at their residence in Gozo, while the remaining third had found out via Facebook. Since almost every Gozitan student resides in Malta during the scholastic year, distribution of information would perhaps have been more effective had it been focused on Facebook and similar social networking sites. This form of communication has recently become a vastly influential aspect of public relations and should be used to its full potential in initiatives such as this.
description
The aim of this report was to discover the attitude of Gozitan students towards the Eco-Gozo vision. Specifically, the focus was on their participation in the public consultations for the action plans. Data was gathered through an online survey sent to GUG members. Correspondence with some of the members showed that the general attitude with regards to the Eco-Gozo initiative was one of some indifference; it seemed that they knew very little about Eco-Gozo.
Transcript of Eco-Gozo and Gozitan Students
ADDRESS: Grupp Universitarji Għawdxin, GUG, University of Malta - Gozo Campus,
Mġarr Road, Xewkija, Gozo, Malta. WEB: www.gug.org.mt/ EMAIL: [email protected]
Mobile: 00356 79256904
Eco-Gozo and Gozitan Students The aim of this report was to discover the attitude of Gozitan students towards the Eco-Gozo vision. Specifically, the focus was on their participation in the public consultations for the action plans. Data was gathered through an online survey sent to GUG members. Correspondence with some of the members showed that the general attitude with regards to the Eco-Gozo initiative was one of some indifference; it seemed that they knew very little about Eco-Gozo.
Questions in the online consultation:
1. Did you know of the public consultation for the Action Plan 2013-2015?
2. Did you participate in the previous Action Plan?
3. If you did not know of it, would you have participated if you knew?
4. Do you know of any projects carried out by Eco-Gozo? Can you list them?
5. How do you think Eco-Gozo has affected Gozo?
6. Do you think that the Eco-Gozo vision is suitable for Gozo?
Conclusion
The information obtained from this report is unfortunately rather limited due to the markedly
low response and interest that was received overall. The lack of participation could in itself be
a significant indication of the general sentiment surrounding Eco-Gozo Action Plans. It seems
that certain apathy is felt due to lack of information about the projects being developed.
It would be expected that the topic of Eco-Gozo would be of great interest to Gozitan students
since it concerns their homeland’s present and future and hence affects their quality of life.
This strengthens the suggestion that lack of involvement is caused by insufficient availability
of information. In fact, when asked to list some of the Eco-Gozo projects the majority of
responders were unable to answer.
This situation could be related to the modes of distribution of information regarding the
consultation and projects. The majority of those who did know had found information through
leaflets received at their residence in Gozo, while the remaining third had found out via
Facebook. Since almost every Gozitan student resides in Malta during the scholastic year,
distribution of information would perhaps have been more effective had it been focused on
Facebook and similar social networking sites. This form of communication has recently
become a vastly influential aspect of public relations and should be used to its full potential in
initiatives such as this.
ADDRESS: Grupp Universitarji Għawdxin, GUG, University of Malta - Gozo Campus,
Mġarr Road, Xewkija, Gozo, Malta. WEB: www.gug.org.mt/ EMAIL: [email protected]
Mobile: 00356 79256904
On a more positive note, the responders who did answer questions about Eco-Gozo seemed
to be highly knowledgeable about the projects carried out so far. Furthermore, the general
feeling concerning these projects was one of encouragement. While those who viewed Eco-
Gozo as having a negative impact were not able to elaborate on the reasons behind their
opinion, responders who replied positively noted the importance of a sustainable island that
can provide and maintain a high quality of life.
When asked whether the Eco-Gozo vision is suitable for our island, most participants
commented on the need for improvement, and not just sustainment, of Gozo. While the
initiative is generally regarded as a positive effort towards the island, it cannot truly benefit us
unless it is:
Properly enforced
Focused on the complete use of renewable energy
Aimed towards creating work opportunities
Carried out in a way that is not artificial and that does not change the identity of Gozo
These views are understandable especially coming from young Gozitans who are still
uncertain about their lives and careers. One cannot expect students to be satisfied or even
interested about Eco-Gozo plans when they are forced to face the reality that finding work in
Gozo is now next to impossible.
While this may sound harsh, it is unfortunately the situation at present and opinions will not
change unless the Eco-Gozo vision centers on the improvement of opportunities for Gozitans
on the island. Together with more active involvement of youths in public consultations for Eco-
Gozo Action Plans, this change would almost definitely result in increased participation and
greater ideas for the holistic sustainment and development of Gozo.
