National Youth Parliament demands MPs to declare a National State of Climate Emergency

National Youth Parliament has demanded that the actual Members of Parliament to declare a National State of Climate Emergency.

“This will not only serve as a commitment from both sides of parliament but also as the first step to a unified Maltese front, from all stakeholders, to achieve this impossible task,” the National Youth Council , which organises the National Youth Parliament, said yesterday.

The National Youth Council, known as the KNZ, urged youth and youth organisation alike to join in the call and to work together towards the cause of forcing Parliament’s hand into declaring a state of emergency.

This 17th edition of the NYP, held yesterday, introduced youths between the ages of 13 and 35 years old to different topics relevant to today’s realities.

Faced with a political climate surrounding gender inequalities, the advancement of Artificial Intelligence and the ongoing global crisis of single-use plastic, among others, youngsters had opportunity to share, discuss and lobby for practical changes with Members of Parliament.

KNŻ had been the ones to have suggested policies such as Vote16, civic education in schools and the legal status of 16-yearolds in voluntary organisations.

The KNŻ observed yesterday, “As these have today become a reality, we find that the council is a catalyst for change in Maltese society.

“Through its commitment to work more with other organisations, give independent youths a more structured voice, and put its member organisations in the heart of its work, the Youth Council has embarked on numerous projects that all work towards the Sustainable Development Goals.”