Malta's newest environment Non-Governmental Organisation, 'Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar' (FAA) is a non political pressure group composed of citizens who are concerned about the threat to Malta's heritage and environmental well-being caused by over-development of our islands.

The FAA ball started rolling with its founder members' Stand Up and Be Counted open letter which was published in the press in March 2006, signed by over 400 people. The response to this, from people of all political beliefs, from all walks of life and from all over Malta was overwhelming and led to the formation of FAA.

The main aim of the FAA is to preserve Malta's urban and rural heritage and healthy quality of life. To this end the FAA organised an environment rally on the 10th of June 2006 which was an outstanding success, the largest environment rally to be held in Malta to date, supported by 18 different environment NGOs.

This rally was repeated with an even more resounding result on the 19th of July 2006 when we called concerned citizens to Valletta to raise their voices against the opening up of the countryside to development through the so-called 'Rationalisation Plans'.

FAA believes that Malta's heritage of good architecture of any period should be preserved and put to good use, rather than being demolished and replaced by all-too-often ugly buildings. The countryside must be opened to the enjoyment of all and not threatened by projects such as golf courses or yet more unnecessary new residential developments - all this financial gain of a few. The destruction of our familiar surroundings has gone too far and something needs to be done.

Excessive construction activity is causing intolerable noise levels, dust, dirt and stress, rates of childhood asthma aggravated by airborne stone dust have reached alarming levels and cancer is being fuelled by the increase in noxious fumes. The destruction of our characteristic village cores is affecting the quality of life and well-being of our towns and villages, not to mention damaging tourism.

Up until now a feeling has prevailed in Malta that nothing could be done about the continuing damage to our architecture, heritage and surroundings by the construction industry. People felt helpless against the few in Government who took decisions which are responsible for the continuing destruction of our unique heritage.
It is clear that new policies are needed to integrate all aspects of the island's administration rationally. Existing laws and regulations must be enforced with new vigour to limit the exploitation of our country by big business speculators. Outdated rent laws should be repealed. Elected officials must prove their commitment to policies that meet the people's rightful expectations on the protection of our birthright. Regulations which presently favour excessive development rather than protection of the urban and rural environment must be revised. The granting of permits by MEPA must be made transparent.

On the basis of EU directives and the Aarhus Convention, to which Malta subscribes, we all have a right to environmental information and to participate in the decisions that affect our surroundings, while it is the duty of our government to listen to us. It is time that we exercise this right.

If you wish to protect Malta's heritage from further destruction, help us by exercising your rights as concerned citizens. Speak up as individuals where it is heard by writing letters to your newspapers. Become active in relevant NGOs. Subcscribe to FAA by putting yourself on our mailing list and we will keep you regularly updated on our activities.

Things have gone too far, it is time we stopped looking on silently as Malta loses more of its urban and rural heritage. Your voice added to ours will be 'the strength of one, the power of many'.

FAA Committee

Paul Cardona - Chairman
Astrid Vella - Coordinator
Kenneth J. Borg - Secretary
Richard I. Borg - Treasurer
Karen Zammit Manduca - Liaison Officer
Helen Caruana Galizia - Founder Member
Anne Zammit - Founder Member
Dr. George Debono - Founder Member
Miriam Cremona – Member, i/c Heritage
Marco Cremona – Member, i/c Water and Energy Issues
Joanne Muscat – Member, i/c Local Groups
Sergio Galea – Member