Schools' project lights up Chamber of Commerce

The Malta Chamber of Commerce in Valletta is currently a riot of colour thanks to a schools' project that forms just one of the branches of the Reach Out campaign put into action by the local organising committee at this year's UEFA European Under-17 Championship.

The exhibition, which has been running since the tournament began and remains until Wednesday's final, was part of Reach Out's education zone initiative. This far-reaching scheme targeted students and children from state and non-state primary and secondary schools.

Youngsters have been encouraged to come up with ideas on topics involving UEFA messages such as fair play, Respect and No to Racism; some of the traditional and cultural aspects of the eight participating nations; and Valletta being a European Capital of Culture for 2018.

"This was a project initiated by the Maltese FA, supported by [Evarist Bartolo] the Minister for Education [and Employment], and it has featured children from all over Malta – girls as well as boys, from both private and public education," said UEFA delegate Rudi Zavrl, after attending the event on Monday.

"A special jury chose the projects from 12 schools and there were excellent ideas, excellent pictures and excellent slogans – it was all very creative. The work of the schoolchildren is as fantastic as the initiative itself, while I know the Minister for Education is very satisfied too."

"We are delighted to have worked so closely with the MFA and the Valletta 2018 Foundation on these schools' initiatives, and extremely glad that both intiatives have been so successful with such high participation from the schools," said Bartolo.

"We can see the fact that when given the opportunity, children will produce. The standard of the work in the exhibit and the enthusiasm the children have shown while watching the matches is confirmation of this."