Miriam Christine chosen to be Malta's ambassador

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Miriam Christine chosen to be Malta's ambassador for the EU campaign - For Diversity. Against Discrimination

by di-ve.com

Singer Miriam Christine to support and promote EU campaign against discrimination.

Saturday, 02 October, 2004

The campaign, with the slogan "For Diversity. Against Discrimination", is being developed in close co-operation with EU governments, trade unions, employers' organisations and NGOs, and was launched on 16th June 2003 and will run till 2006.

Media Consulta is responsible for the implementation of the campaign. The agency has a network of agency correspondents in every EU Member State, including Malta, and has chosen local personality Miriam Christine to be the ambassador and spokesperson for the campaign for Malta and Gozo. The popular singer and songwriter will be spreading the word for this campaign during various shows, concerts and TV programmes.

Miriam Christine explained, "This campaign is aimed at combating discrimination, and I'm proud to have been asked to be part of it. Discrimination exists in many ways: because of racial or ethnic origin, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, age and disability and I think it's a big issue that needs highlighting. I hope I can assist in making people more aware of it."

The campaign aims to communicate a positive message on diversity to help prevent people from being discriminated against in any way. It is being publicised through a wide range of channels, such as TV or print adverts, website, seminars and media events. Brochures, flyers and posters will provide information about new EU rules against discrimination in the various Member States.

Born in Brazil but raised in Gozo, Miriam Christine was all too aware of her ethnicity when she was young. "My upbringing was very good, but I did suffer from bullying at school," Miriam Christine revealed. "In some ways, I was looked at as being 'different'. This left a mark on me and I went through stages when my self-esteem was very low. It was through music that I feel I overcame prejudice and earned respect. I re-discovered my true self, and belief in myself was restored. I was also lucky to grow up within a society that, on the whole, is very warm and welcoming, so my experiences were more isolated, and I think they were a product of a lack of education and awareness; something this campaign is tackling brilliantly."

And by pure coincidence, the title track on Miriam Christine's latest CD album 'Little Zee' is about the racial prejudices she suffered as a child and how she managed to overcome them. "This EU campaign will help a lot of people, both victims of discrimination...and people who don't understand the value of diversity...and I'm glad to be part of it."

For more information log onto: www.miriamchristine.com or www.stop-discrimination.info