Brussels, 19/02/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 15 February, the Veneto Region took part, for the second consecutive year, in the National Energy Saving Day, one of the most important international awareness-raising campaigns devoted to energy. The Brussels office of the Veneto Region's representation to the EU, wanting to act as a sort of “social consciousness” for policy makers, launched a message to promote environmental awareness, inform citizens about energy issues and encourage reflection on how to combat climate change, a press release said. To mark its contribution to energy saving, the Brussels office switched off all lighting between 6.00 and 7.30 pm and held a candle-lit cocktail party with food which only required low energy to prepare. Taking part in this initiative were Deputy Director General of DG Regional Policy (European Commission) Michele Pasca Raymondi, high ranking officials from the Community institutions, and representatives of the Croatian Regions, the Provinces of South Holland, the Pomerania Region, the Silesia Region and the South Norway region. On 15 February 2005, to mark the signing of the Kyoto Protocol, the radio programme “Caterpillar” on RAI 2 organised the first energy saving day, a day that has been held every year since then, the Veneto Region notes. For information: http://www.regione.veneto.it/bruxelles (G.B.)