Introduzzjoni
Kien proprju fl-10 ta’ Diċembru tal-1948 meta l-Ġnus Magħquda ġabet fis-seħħ id-Dikjarazzjoni Universali tad-Drittijiet tal-Bniedem. Din hija sena speċjali, għaliex qed nikkommemoraw is-sebgħin sena anniversarju minn din il-ġrajja importanti għall-familja universali umana.
Din il-ġrajja, u l-kommemorazzjoni tagħha, għandha tfakkar lilna u lid-dinja, li d-drittijiet tal-bniedem mhumiex xi privileġġ ta’ xi wħud.
Anzi dawn huma drittijiet ta’ kulħadd, ta’ kull wieħed u waħda minna, aħna min aħna, ġejjin minn fejn ġejjin.
Id-Dikjarazzjoni Universali tad-Drittijiet tal-Bniedem
Matul is-sena Repubblikana li ġejja, għandna opportunità biex nixtarru u nevalwaw, jekk bħala poplu aħniex infurmati u edukati biżżejjed dwar dawn id-drittijiet. Iżda wkoll, għandna l-opportunità biex nirriflettu u nkejlu s-suċċessi tagħna, jew in-nuqqas tagħhom, mal-kejl li tagħtina din id-Dikjarazzjoni Universali.
Id-Drittijiet Fundamentali tal-Bniedem, jirrappreżentaw il-qofol tal-pilastri li fuqhom jistrieħu d-demokrazija sħiħa u l-paċi, kif ukoll l-għerq ewlieni tal-Kostituzzjoni Repubblikana tagħna.
Nemmen li, din id-Dikjarazzjoni, flimkien mal-Kostituzzjoni tagħna, għandhom jibqgħu s-sinsla tal-mod ta’ kif irridu ngħixu flimkien, u ta’ kif għandna nġibu ruħna ma’ xulxin.
Konvinta li jekk ikollna għarfien u rispett sħiħ lejn il-Kostituzzjoni, allura l-imġiba tagħna, il-kwalità tal-ħajja, u l-ambjent uman f’pajjiżna, jissaħħu.
Id-Dikjarazzjoni tad-Drittijiet tal-Bniedem hija universali, u dan ifisser li dawn id-drittijiet m’għandhomx fruntieri jew nazzjon.
Għalhekk għandna ninsistu li d-drittijiet ta’ min iżurna, anke tal-immigranti, għandhom ikunu mħarsa b’mod sħiħ, mingħajr tnikkir jew favuri.
Iżda l-ħarsien effettiv tad-drittijiet umani, iseħħ meta d-demokrazija tkun waħda sħiħa, għaliex tkun qed tiggarantixxi aċċess ekwu għal dak kollu li jagħtina d-dinjità.
Huwa ta’ konfort li nafu li permezz tad-diversi dikjarazzjonijiet mill-mexxejja politiċi ta’ dan il-pajjiż, u permezz ta’ miżuri li ttieħdu, matul is-snin, u oħrajn li huma mwiegħda li ser jittieħdu, aħna impenjati bħala poplu, biex inkomplu nindirizzaw l-inugwaljanzi soċjali, li jfixklu l-mixja tagħna lejn demokrazija sħiħa, biex ma jkollniex tensjonijiet soċjali, u b’hekk insaħħu r-Repubblika.
Dan għaliex:
- sakemm jibqa’ tifel jew tifla waħda biss li toħroġ mill-iskola mingħajr il-ħiliet bażiċi;
- sakemm tibqa’ persuna waħda biss tistenna snin għall-ġustizzja;
- sakemm jibqa’ ħaddiem wieħed biss f’xogħol prekarju;
- sakemm tibqa’ persuna waħda biss tistenna għal saqaf dinjituż fuq rasha;
- sakemm tibqa’ familja waħda biss li ma tintrefax mill-faqar relattiv jew assolut;
- sakemm jibqa’ imqar bniedem wieħed biss li jiġi traffikat;
- sakemm tibqa’ mara waħda biss li ġisimha jibqa’ jiġi sfruttat u vjolentat;
- sakemm id-differenza fid-dħul finanzjarju bejn l-irġiel u n-nisa tibqa’ imqar għal mara waħda biss;
- sakemm ir-rappreżentanza tan-nisa fil-Parlament tibqa’ waħda miżera; u
- sakemm il-klijenteliżmu jibqa’ jegħleb il-mertu;
ma nkunux qed ingawdu minn demokrazija sħiħa u l-ħarsien tad-dinjità umana.
Anke l-ekonomija ma tista’ qatt tiċċelebra d-dinjità umana, jekk fil-qalba tagħha, ma jkunx hemm għarfien li, dawk li l-aktar għandhom bżonn, għandhom jirċievu l-aqwa għajnuna possibbli.
Ekonomija li tiċċelebra d-dinjità umana tassigura, li ma jkunx hemm nies li jibqgħu fil-periferija tas-soċjetà.
Huwa permezz ta’ dan l-għarfien, minn kmieni fl-istorja politika tagħna, li f’pajjiżna bnejna x-xibka soċjali li żammet eluf ta’ Maltin u Għawdxin il-bogħod mill-faqar u mill-esklużjoni soċjali.
Nappella biex ilkoll nibqgħu naraw li din ix-xibka soċjali, tibqa’ titħares bi prijorità, fuq kull avvanz ekonomiku.
Żminijiet oħra wrewna, li anke fin-nuqqas tal-abbundanza ekonomika, huwa possibli, li nwennsu lil dawk li l-aktar huma fil-bżonn, għax hekk huwa xieraq.
Irrid inħeġġeġ biex f’dan iż-żmien ta’ tkabbir ekonomiku eċċezzjonali u bla preċedent, inkomplu naħdmu, biex insaħħu u nkabbru l-kultura ta’ solidarjetà soċjali permanenti.
B’konvinzjoni nerġa’ nappella, biex il-ġustizzja soċjali tkompli ddawwalna u tinfurmana.
Nibqa’ nemmen li mingħajr ġustizzja soċjali, ma jistax ikun hemm demokrazija sħiħa u paċi.
Elezzjonijiet tal-Parlament Ewropew
Dawn iż-żminijiet qegħdin juruna li meta l-gvernijiet jabbandunaw il-kuntratt soċjali, li jħares il-ġid komuni, biex jiftħu t-triq beraħ, għall-akkumulazzjoni privata tal-qligħ biss, il-popli mhux biss jitilfu l-fiduċja fil-klassi politika stabbilita, iżda wkoll, ifittxu l-kenn tal-popolisti.
Inutli nappellaw lill-popli biex ma jaqgħux għall-populiżmu, nhar jum il-votazzjoni għall-Parlament Ewropew.
Sfortunatament, hemm miljuni ta’ nies, fl-istati membri ta’ l-Unjoni Ewropea li jħossuhom imċaħħdin, imwarrbin u irrelevanti, għaliex huma maqtugħin mill-ħajja ekonomika, soċjali u kulturali tal-pajjiż.
Meta l-Ewropa soċjali qiegħda ssir dejjem aktar Ewropa ekonomika, mhuwiex aċċettabbli li, wieħed minn kull erba’ Ewropej għadhom jgħixu fil-faqar, u maqtugħin minn dawk is-servizzi li l-Ewropa tant kienet tiftaħar bihom.
It-Teknoloġija Moderna
Demokrazija b’saħħitha tiddependi minn kemm il-poplu għandu l-għarfien neċessarju, biex jipparteċipa b’mod sħiħ, fit-tkattir tal-ġid komuni.
Nifraħ meta nara li pajjiżna huwa minn ta’ quddiem nett, fit-tħaddim ta’ teknoloġija innovattiva. Huwa ta’ sodisfazzjon ukoll li naraw eluf ta’ nies, minn madwar id-dinja, jinġabru hawn Malta biex, jiddiskutu t-tħaddim ta’ dawn l-avvanzi teknoloġiċi, u li permezz tagħhom qed jinħolqu niċeċ ġodda fl-ekonomija tagħna.
Iżda nemmen li huwa l-waqt ukoll, li nagħmlu evalwazzjoni serja tal-għarfien u tal-potenzjal, tal-poplu tagħna f’dan il-qasam. Jinħtieġ nassiguraw li, fil-proċess ta’ dawn l-iżviluppi teknoloġiċi importanti u meħtieġa, ma tinħoloqx esklużjoni soċjali ġdida, hekk imsejħa, d-digital knowledge divide.
Minn naħa l-oħra, huwa indispensabbli li nassiguraw li d-demokrazija tagħna ma tiġix immanipulata, minn wara l-kwinti, minn kumpaniji li jagħmlu mid-dettalji dwar ħajjitna, prodott kummerċjali.
Demokrazija immanipulata, hija demokrazija falza u perikoluża, għax tiddistingwi, bejn klassi superjuri li taf, u sotto-klassi li tgħix il-ħajja bażika ta’ kuljum, mingħajr ma taf.
Riforma Kostituzzjonali
Ilqajt b’entużjażmu l-aħbar tan-nomina tar-rappreżentanti tal-partiti ewlenin fil-Parlament, għal dak li qed insejjaħlu steering committee għar-riforma kostituzzjonali. Wara tant snin li l-partiti politiċi ewlenin tagħna kienu wiegħdu repetutament riforma kostituzzjonali, issa jidher li mill-kliem ser jgħaddu għall-fatti.
Għaldaqstant, dan il-bidu ta’ taħdidiet preliminari, li se jressaq proposti dwar kif se jsir il-proċess, tani t-tama li, hemm rieda politika biex ir-riforma kostituzzjonali ssir.
Minn naħa l-oħra, irrid inserraħ moħħ kulħadd, li l-proċess tar-riforma kostituzzjonali se jkun eżerċizzju, li se jiġi mistieden jipparteċipa fih kull min jixtieq.
Ħadd mhu se jitħalla barra, għax il-Kostituzzjoni hija l-għodda leġittima ta’ kulħadd. Kull min jixtieq jikkontribwixxi, biex bħala poplu ntejbu, u nagħmlu l-Kostituzzjoni relevanti għal żminijietna, ser ikollu l-opportunità li jagħmel dan.
Anzi, irrid inħeġġeġ lil kulħadd, biex jagħmel minn dan iż-żmien storiku, eżerċizzju edukattiv, u proċess demokratiku parteċipattiv ta’ poplu sħiħ.
Hemm bżonn li l-poplu jressaq l-aspirazzjonijiet tiegħu, għat-tibdil meħtieġ, u għat-tisħiħ li hemm bżonn fl-istituzzjonijiet demokratiċi tagħna, ħalli nassiguraw li jkollna l-għodda u l-mekkaniżmi meħtieġa għall-Kostituzzjoni relevanti għas-seklu 21.
Dan għandu jkun eżerċizzju mill-aqwa biex insaħħu d-demokrazija tagħna.
Il-Ħajja Pubblika
Fraħt meta ġejt infurmata bit-twaqqif ta’ l-Uffiċċju tal-Kummissarju għall-iStandards fil-Ħajja Pubblika, u dan għaliex ifisser, li mhux biss qed naċċettaw li jrid ikun hemm standards, imma wkoll se jkollna min qiegħed jiffoka ta’ kuljum, fuq l-istandards xierqa li jridu jħaddnu dawk li jidħlu fil-ħajja pubblika.
Jien nemmen, li dawk kollha fil-ħajja pubblika, għandhom ikunu persuni etiċi, għandhom ikunu ta’ eżempju u ta’ ġieħ għall-poplu tagħna, u għandhom iżommu isem pajjiżna ‘l fuq.
Jekk ma jseħħx dan, issir ħsara kbira lir-reputazzjoni tal-Maltin u ta’ pajjiżna.
Mingħajr ma nipponta subgħajja lejn ħadd, nemmen li għandna bżonn ta’ eżami tal-kuxjenza, biex nassiguraw, li kull min jidħol fil-ħajja pubblika, jifhem li r-responsabbiltà hija ċara, jiġifieri, dak li jkun ta’ servizz ġenwin għan-nies u għal pajjiżna.
Il-poplu tagħna jixraqlu li jkollu nies ta’ valuri fil-ħajja pubblika, biex il-poplu tagħna u pajjiżna, jingħataw servizz ġenwin u l-aqwa ġieħ.
Il-Mezzi tal-Komunikazzjoni Soċjali u l-Midja
Id-dritt tal-libertà tal-espressjoni, huwa sagru, f’demokrazija sħiħa li taħdem.
Dan ma jfissirx li nistgħu nabbużaw minn dan id-dritt.
F’dinja li qed tinbidel kuljum, fejn l-aħbarijiet deħlin minn kullimkien u fil-ħin, l-etika ta’ dawk li jagħmlu użu mill-mezzi tal-komunikazzjoni soċjali, u dawk li jaħdmu fid-diversità tal-midja, saret importanti, aktar minn qatt qabel.
Meta llum kulħadd iħoss li sar ġurnalist, għax jista’ jgħaddi l-fehmiet tiegħu permezz ta’ kwalunkwe mezz tal-komunikazzjoni moderna, b’xi wħud, li sfortunatament jabbużaw minn dawn il-mezzi tajbin, mingħajr ma jqisu l-konsegwenzi, il-midja għandha aktar responsabbiltà li twassal il-verità.
Il-fake news sar l-ordni tal-ġurnata, bir-riskju li l-poplu jemmnu u jiġi aljenat mill-verità.
Għalhekk inħeġġeġ, biex min jagħmel użu mill-mezzi tal-komunikazzjoni soċjali, ikun rispettuż fil-mod ta’ kif jikkomunika l-fehmiet diversi tiegħu.
Nappella wkoll lil kull min hu fil-ħajja pubblika biex ikun meqjus u rispettuż fil-mod kif juża dawn il-mezzi ta’ komunikazzjoni, għaliex hu fid-dmir li jagħti l-eżempju.
Minn naħa l-oħra, inħeġġeġ biex il-membri professjonali tal-midja jkomplu jsaħħu s-servizzi tagħhom, billi jingħaqdu aktar, ħalli jsaħħu l-etika ġurnalistika, u jikkumbattu l-isfidi tas-sensazzjonaliżmu, il-preġudizzju, in-nofs veritajiet, u l-gideb.
Mill-Lenti tal-Ġustizzja Soċjali
F’sena oħra Repubblikana, u mil-lenti tal-ġustizzja soċjali, ninnota b’sodisfazzjon, żviluppi importanti fil-qasam tas-saħħa, b’aħbarijiet sbieħ ta’ rikonoxximent internazzjonali, fejn Malta ġiet klassifikata fid-disa’ post fuq il-kejl globali, dwar is-servizz tas-saħħa in ġenerali.
Fil-qasam soċjali rridu nirrrikonoxxu t-tnaqqis fl-istatistika tal-faqar, iżda ma nistgħux ninsew lil dawk li għadhom ma ntrefgħux biżżejjed minn din l-inugwaljanza soċjali.
Fl-edukazzjoni ninnota b’sodisfazzjon it-tnaqqis fl-istatistika ta’ dawk li jitilqu mill-edukazzjoni u taħriġ kmieni, għalkemm ma nistgħux ninsew lil dawk it-2 minn kull 10 żgħażagħ li ħarġu mill-iskola bla ħiliet bażiċi.
Ninnota b’sodisfazzjon ukoll it-tnaqqis fl-assentejiżmu, iż-żieda ta’ dawk li jkomplu bl-edukazzjoni tul il-ħajja, iż-żieda fin-numru ta’ dawk li jkomplu l-edukazzjoni tagħhom fil-livell terzjarju, u aċċess akbar għal taħriġ vokazzjonali.
Fil-qasam tal–housing, il-pubblikazzjoni tal-White Paper fetħet tama għall-eluf li jinsabu f’qagħda prekarja minħabba l-prezzijiet tal-kiri u l-propjetà, filwaqt li, important li jirranka aktar ix-xogħol marbut mal-housing soċjali.
Fil-qasam tad-drittijiet umani, irrid infaħħar id-deċiżjoni tal-awtoritajiet, b’risq dawk li t-talba għall-istatus ta’ refuġjati kienet miċħuda, u t-tnedija tal-istrateġija nazzjonali għall-integrazzjoni, li huwa pass importanti l-quddiem għat-twettiq tal-ġustizzja soċjali.
Fil-qasam tar-relazzjonijiet industrijali, innutajt b’sodisfazzjon il-konklużjoni ta’ diversi ftehimi kollettivi u settorjali li jinkludi, għall-ewwel darba, il-ftehim mal-unions li jirrappreżentaw il-membri tal-korpi dixxiplinarji. Fraħt, għax dejjem emmint, li dawk li jipproteġuna ta’ kuljum, jistħoqqilhom l-aqwa kundizzjonjiet, u l-akbar rispett.
Tfal u Żgħażagħ
It-tfal u ż-żgħażagħ tagħna jibqgħu fiċ-ċentru kemm tal-ferħ, kif ukoll tat-tħassib tiegħi. Filwaqt li għandna biex tassew inkunu kburin bis-suċċessi ta’ tant tfal u żgħażagħ, f’oqsma akkkademiċi, artistiċi, sportivi u kulturali, għadni nkwetata b’dak li qed jgħiduli fl-iskejjel u f’ħafna okkażżjonijiet oħra.
Il-kwistjoni tal-ambjent f’pajjiżna, għadha kwistjoni ta’ tħassib għalihom. Uliedna jriduna nkunu ferm aktar prudenti u etiċi, dwar kif qed nittrattaw l-ambjent naturali tagħna. It-tħassib tagħhom dwar il-ħtieġa ta’ spazji ħodor, u x’qed jiġri mill-kampanja Maltija, għadhom fuq quddiem nett tad-diskursati li jkollna flimkien.
L-istress u s-saħħa mentali, huma wkoll fost tħassib ieħor li jitkellmu dwaru. It-tfal u ż-żgħażagħ tagħna għadhom inkwetati b’sistema edukattiva stressanti, minkejja d-diversi miżuri pożittivi li ttieħdu.
Matul dawn l-aħħar xhur, innutajt b’sodisfazzjon, impenn ġdid minn naħa ta’ għaqdiet ta’ studenti u żgħażagħ, li ħadu u qed jieħdu inizjattivi biex jindirizzaw l-istigma, iżda wkoll biex joħolqu kuxjenza ta’ solidarjetà u appoġġ, għal dawk bi problemi ta’ saħħa mentali.
Imbagħad, mhu ser ninsa qatt, dak li smajt kemm il-darba, iżda dan l-aħħar, b’aktar aċċenn, dwar il-kwistjoni tal-bullying, li qed isir fost it-tfal u ż-żgħażagħ tagħna.
Ma nista’ ninsa qatt, lil dik it-tfajla li b’qalbha maqsuma, tirrakkuntali quddiem sħabha, kif kienet qed tiġi bullied u jixtiqulha li jaqbadha l-kanċer. Mhu se ninsa qatt id-dmugħ f’għajnejn sħabha tal-klassi. Nistqarr magħkom li ma nistax inneħħi minn quddiem għajnejja, dan l-episodju.
Nerġa’ ntenni li l-libertà tal-espressjoni, ma jistax jiftiehem li tista’ tgħid kollox u kif trid. Id-dritt tal-libertà tal-espressjoni jġorr ukoll responsabbiltajiet miegħu u ma jistax jibqa’ jiġi abbużat. Jeħtieġ li ngħallmu miċ-ċokon li r-rispett lejn xulxin, huwa l-unika mod kif nistgħu ngħixu f’demokrazija sħiħa u fil-paċi.
Minn naħa l-oħra, nistqarr li fraħt, meta għaddiet il-liġi tal-Vot 16, fejn iż-żgħażagħ ta’ sittax-il sena qed jingħataw id-dritt tal-parteċipazzjoni, biex jeleġġu l-mexxejja tagħhom.
Għalkemm irrid nistqarr, li sal-lum għadni m’iniex nifhem kif dawn iż-żgħażagħ li nemmnu fil-kapaċità tagħhom li jagħżlu l-mexxejja tagħna, iżda mbagħad, m’għandhomx id-dritt jipparteċipaw fit-tmexxija ta’ kuljum.
Il-parteċipazzjoni tat-tfal u ż-żgħażagħ tagħna, hija meħtieġa, u anzi, hija d-dritt tagħhom, li joħroġ ċar mill-Konvenzjoni tal-Ġnus Magħquda dwar id-Drittijiet tat-Tfal. Dan il-bżonn tal-parteċipazzjoni tat-tfal u ż-żgħazagħ kompla ġie enfasizzat f’position paper li ġiet ippubblikata mill-Istitut Nazzjonali għat-Tfulija fi ħdan il-Fondazzjoni tal-President għall-Ġid tas-Soċjetà, u li fil-ġimgħat li ġejjin se tkun preżentata lill-Parlament.
Għalhekk, filwaqt li nħeġġeġ biex il-parteċipazzjoni tat-tfal u ż-żgħażagħ tagħna, issir parti strutturali mill-proċessi ta’ parteċipazzjoni demokratika kontinwa, nappella wkoll, biex ma nibqgħux inkaxkru saqajna, biex nilleġiżlaw Att Komprensiv dwar id-Drittijiet tat-Tfal, biex nagħmlu l-Konvenzjoni tal-Ġnus Magħquda dwar id-Drittijet tat-Tfal parti integrali mil-liġijiet ta’ Malta u nġibu fis-seħħ, is-saħħa kollha li tagħtina din il-Konvenzjoni, li ilna li ffirmajna u rratifikajna bħala pajjiż sa mill-1990.
Is-sena d-dieħla, fl-2019, din il-Konvenzjoni tagħlaq 30 sena minn meta ġiet fis-seħħ. Għaldaqstant, inħeġġeġ lill-awtoritajiet tagħna biex niċċelebraw din il-ġrajja storika, billi nassiguraw li d-drittijiet tat-tfal ikunu mħarsa bil-liġi.
Hawnhekk inħeġġeġ lit-tfal u ż-żgħażagħ biex jidħlu fil-qasam tal-volontarjat ħalli jiksbu minn kmieni, il-ħila tal-ħsieb kritiku, il-ħila taċ-ċittadinanza attiva, u l-ħila tat-tmexxija. Dan l-appell huwa marbut ukoll mal-fatt li l-aħħar indikaturi tal-EuroBarometer dwar iż-Żgħażagħ, jindikaw li l-parteċipazzjoni taż-żgħażagħ Maltin fil-volontarjat, naqqset b’erba’ punti perċentwali.
L-Anzjani
L-anzjani tagħna jistħoqqilhom kull rispett.
Huma taw saħħithom għal Malta tagħna.
Mid-diskursati li kellhi ma’ ħafna anzjani, qamet ta’ spiss il-kwistjoni tas-solitudni. Għaldaqstant fraħt, u nifraħ, bl-għadd ta’ inizjattivi li qed jittieħdu, kemm mill-awtoritajiet, kif ukoll mis-soċjetà ċivili, biex l-anzjani tagħna jibqgħu attivi kemm jista’ jkun.
Inkompli nħeġġeġ lill-awtoritajiet u s-soċjetà ċivili biex jagħmlu użu mill-ħiliet, mill-esperjenza, u mix-xewqa ta’ ħafna anzjani li jkomplu jgħinu fit-tkattir tal-ġid komuni u l-prosperità tagħna.
Inħeġġeġ lill-għalliema wkoll biex joħolqu opportunitajiet għat-tfal u ż-żgħażagħ biex ikollhom inkontri interġenerazzjonali, bil-għan li l-valuri li l-anzjani tagħna ħaddnu biex bnew soċjetà Maltija reżiljenti, jgħadduhom lill-ġenerazzjoni li jmiss.
L-Edukaturi
Fil-kuntest tal-importanza li dejjem tajt lill-edukazzjoni obbligatorja fid-diskorsi tiegħi, irrid minn hawn insellem lill-għalliema kollha li jedukaw lil Malta. Nifhem il-kumplessità tax-xogħol tagħhom.
Nappella lill-awtorijiet biex jiżguraw, li l-edukaturi jkunu mwennsin bl-aqwa riżorsi, u b’sistemi ta’ appoġġ tal-aqwa kwalità, b’risq uliedna.
Inħeġġeġ lill-poplu Malti, biex jagħti kull rispett lill-professjoni, u nappella liż-żgħażagħ, biex jikkunsidraw li jaqdu lil pajjiżhom, permezz tat-tagħlim.
Insellem ukoll lill-edukaturi li jibqgħu jedukaw lil uliedna lil hinn mill-edukazzjoni obbligatorja.
Grazzi tax-xogħol li tagħmlu, b’risq Malta soċjali u ekonomika.
“Gender Pay Gap” u l-Ugwaljanza bejn il-Ġeneri
Statistika mill-iStructures of Earnings Survey u ppubblikata mill-Uffiċċju Nazzjonali tal-Istatistika turi li hemm differenza kbira fil-pagi bejn l-irġiel u nisa. Ta’ tħassib serju huwa l-fatt li aktar ma’ l-mara teduka ruħha aktar id-differenza fid-dħul finanzjarju bejn il-ġeneri, tikber.
Meta lkoll nemmnu li aktar ma’ nedukaw ruħna, akbar huma l-opportunitajiet, huwa inkwetanti li aktar edukazzjoni tista’ tfisser aktar diskriminazzjoni.
Pajjiżna għad fadallu x’jaqdef fil-qasam tal-ugwaljanza bejn il-ġeneri. Nittama li fis-snin li ġejjin, permezz ta’ azzjoni affermattiva, mhux biss tingħalaq id-differenza fil-pagi, iżda wkoll naraw pajjiż bi preżenza akbar ta’ nisa fit-tmexxija u nazzjon li kapaċi jgħin b’mod effettiv lil dawk kollha, ħafna minnhom nisa, li jinqabdu f’relazzjonijiet abbużivi u vjolenti.
Jinħtieġ li b’aktar enfasi, il-qafas leġiżlattiv eċċellenti li għandna kontra l-vjolenza abbażi tal-ġeneru, nittraduċuh fi pjan ta’ azzjoni effettiv, li jindirizza l-kultura patrijarkali, li sfortunatament, għadha teżisti f’pajjiżna, għad-detriment, kemm tan-nisa, kif ukoll tal-irġiel.
Nappella li naħdmu mat-tfal u maż-żgħażagħ tagħna fl-iskejjel, biex nassiguraw li r-rispett lejn xulxin, ikun il-bażi li fuqu jinbnew ir-relazzjonijiet ta’ bejnietna.
Ma jista’ qatt ikollna demokrazija sħiħa u paċi jekk jibqa’ ikollna minn fostna, persuni li ma jirrispettawx id-dinjità umana.
Għeluq
Id-demokrazija hija l-aqwa mezz li għandna llum, biex niċċelebraw d-dinjità umana, u biex nassiguraw il-ħarsien sħiħ, tad-drittijiet umani u l-paċi fil-komunitajiet tagħna u fis-soċjetà Maltija.
Dan huwa l-aħħar diskors tiegħi bħala President ta’ Malta, f’din il-festa għażiża tagħna ta’ Jum ir-Repubblika.
Irrid nistqarr li ħassejtni privileġġata u onorata li kelli din l-opportunità, li naqsam magħkom, bħala waħda minnkom, dak li l-kuxjenza tiegħi tniggiżni dwaru.
Dan kien privileġġ li ġie misluf lili bis-saħħa tar-rappreżentanti tal-poplu fil-Parlament. Għall-ewwel darba, l-ħatra ta’ President ta’ Malta, kien hemm qbil unanimu dwarha, kemm mill-Gvern, kif ukoll mill-Oppożizzjoni, minkejja li kont ġejja minn naħa tal-Gvern.
J’Alla, dan il-qbil unanimu jkompli jirrenja għas-suċċessuri tiegħi, għaliex il-President ta’ pajjiżna, m’għandux ikollu partiti, iżda jrid jaqdi lill-poplu b’lealtà u b’kuxjenza, u mhux biex jingħoġob.
Għaldaqstant, qabel nikkonkludi, irrid nagħti ħajr lill-Gvern u lill-Oppożizzjoni li minkejja, mhux l-ewwel darba kont kritika, aċċettaw b’rispett dak li għedt, u apprezzajt li kien hemm anke suġġerimenti li ttieħdu.
Irrid nagħti ħajr lill-ħaddiema kollha, fid-diversità tas-setturi ekonomiċi u soċjali, tal-ġid u s-servizz bla qies, li jagħtu lill-pajjiżna b’ħidmiethom.
Irrid nagħti ħajr lil dawk kollha li qed joħolqu impjiegi dinjitużi u ta’ kwalita’ f’pajjiżna. Irrid nagħti ħajr lin-nies tan-negozju Maltin u Għawdxin, li qed jieħdu b’serjetà ir-responsabbiltà soċjali tagħhom, b’risq is-soċjetà Maltija.
Jeħtieġ li nkomplu nsaħħu s-sħubija, ta’ bejn il-ħaddiema, il-professjonisti, u n-nies tan-negozju, biex nassiguraw li Malta tagħna tkun tista’ toffri futur dinjituż u prosperu għal uliedna.
Irrid nagħti ħajr, fuq kollox lill-poplu Malti u Għawdxi kollu kemm hu, għar-rispett u l-appoġġ li tani.
Nagħti ħajr ukoll lil dawk fostna li anke kkritikawni, forsi kultant b’għaġla u mhux bil-ħsieb, għaliex tgħallimt ħafna minn għandhom ukoll.
Tgħallimt minn kulħadd, speċjalment meta ġejt fostkom.
Tgħallimt mit-tfal u ż-żgħażagħ tagħna.
Tgħallimt l-aktar fuq kemm, aħna kapaċi individwalment, iżda aktar u aktar kemm aħna kapaċi, meta nkunu magħqudin u nieqfu ma’ xulxin.
Illum, aktar minn qatt qabel, nemmen li għandna l-abbiltà li nkunu uniċi.
Għandna l-abbiltà li jekk irridu, ħadd fostna ma jħossu waħdu. Għandna l-abbiltà li nsaħħu l-għaqda, u saħansitra, inġibu l-paċi fost il-ġnus.
Uliedna jixtiquna magħqudin u jridu minn Malta, pajjiż fejn ħadd ma’ jbati u jkun eskluż.
Uliedna jriduna nirrispettaw lil xulxin.
Uliedna ma jridux ġlied, iżda jridu li Malta tagħna tilqagħhom u tagħtihom is-serenità f’qalbhom u f’moħħom.
Għeżież Żgħażagħ Maltin u Għawdxin, inħeġġiġkom biex tkunu l-attivisti ta’ Malta ivvalutata għal ħidmietha ġenwina favur poplu inklussiv u reżiljenti, biex jekk Alla jrid, għada tkunu l-mexxeja denji, u etiċi ta’ pajjiżna.
Għeżież Ħuti Maltin u Għawdxin, nassigurakom li l-esperjenzi kollha li għaddejna flimkien, ser jibqgħu minquxin f’qalbi, b’imħabba u b’għożża.
Viva Malta Repubblika.
PRESS RELEASE BY THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
Speech by the President of Malta Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca on the occasion of Republic Day 2018
Introduction
On the 10th of December 1948, the United Nations brought into being the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This is a special year, which commemorates the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration being promulgated. This is an event which has been of such momentous importance to the whole of our human family.
This historical moment and its commemoration must remind us, and the entire world, that universal human rights are not the privilege of the few.
Universal Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms belong to all of us, whoever we are and wherever we come from.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
During this year of the Republic, we have the opportunity to review and evaluate whether, as a nation, we are sufficiently informed and educated about these rights. We also have the opportunity to measure our successes and deficiencies, against the benchmark of the Universal Declaration.
Fundamental Human Rights represent the foundations, upon which the fullness democracy and peace are built. Indeed, these are the strongest roots of our Republican Constitution.
I believe that the Universal Declaration, alongside our Constitution, must always be the cornerstone of the ways in which we live together, and how we treat one another.
I am convinced that, when we have the necessary understanding and respect towards the Constitution, then our behaviour, the quality of our lives, and the social environment of our country will become stronger.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is universal, which means that these rights have no borders and are not limited to any nation.
For this reason, we must insist that the rights of visitors and newcomers to our islands, including migrants, must be upheld in their fullness, without complacency or favouritism.
The effective observance of human rights can only take place when democracy is also respected in its totality, because this is what guarantees equitable access to the sources of dignity in society.
The various statements by the political leaders of our country and the measures that they have taken over the years, alongside their assurances of further measures, are all an indication that our country is committed to address social injustices.
Such injustices are delaying our efforts, towards the fullness of democracy.
In this way, we will also be avoiding the risks of social tensions while strengthening our Republic.
This is why:
- If a single child leaves school without learning basic skills;
- If one person waits an unacceptable number of years to receive justice;
- If one worker is subjected to precarious work;
- If a single person must wait to access dignified housing;
- If one family is not lifted out of relative or absolute poverty;
- If one person is a victim of human trafficking;
- If one woman is being exploited and subjected to violence;
- If a single woman is discriminated against, in terms of the difference in wages earned by men and women;
- If the representation of women in Parliament remains minimal;
- If clientelism continues to triumph over meritocracy;
- If these injustices persist;
then we will not be enjoying the fullness of our democracy and the safeguarding of our human dignity.
Furthermore, no economy can celebrate human dignity, unless the needs of the most vulnerable are kept at the heart of its operations. For this reason, the vulnerable must receive all the support that they need.
An economy that truly upholds human dignity is one which ensures that nobody is pushed to the peripheries of our society.
It is through this essential understanding, which forms part of the early political history of the people of Malta, that we have created a social welfare system that has protected thousands of Maltese and Gozitan citizens from the threat of poverty and social exclusion.
I appeal for this social welfare system to remain a priority, above and beyond the pursuit of economic advances. The past has shown us that, even in the absence of economic abundance, it is possible to protect those of us who are most in need, because this is the right thing to do.
I urge for this period in our history, of exceptional and unprecedented economic growth, to also be a time in which we work together, to strengthen and develop a culture of permanent social solidarity.
With the utmost conviction, I once again appeal for the values of social justice to enlighten our path and to inform us, as a nation.
Without social justice, I am convinced that there cannot be the fullness of democracy and long-lasting peace.
European Parliamentary Elections
In today’s world, we are witnessing the results of what takes place, when governments abandon the social contract in favour of excessive private accumulation of profit. People not only lose hope in the established political class, but also, they seek reassurance in populist ideologies.
It is useless for us to urge our peoples to disregard populism during the European parliamentary elections.
Unfortunately, there are millions of people in the Member States of the European Union who are experiencing deprivation and who feel irrelevant, because they have been excluded from socio-economic and cultural life.
When “social Europe” is becoming more of an “economic Europe”, it is unacceptable that 1 in 4 Europeans is living in poverty, and is thereby excluded from the services that used to make Europe so proud.
Modern Technology
A strong democracy depends upon the people having the necessary knowledge, to fully participate in fostering the common good.
I am glad to see that our country is at the forefront in applying innovative technology, and it is rewarding to see thousands of people from all over the world gather in Malta to discuss the workings of this technological progress, through which we are creating new niches in our economy.
However, I believe it is also the time to assess the knowledge and the potential of our people in this area. We must ensure that, in the process of this necessary and important technological expansion, we do not create a new social exclusion, the so-called “digital knowledge divide”.
On the other hand, it is essential for us to ensure that our democracy is not manipulated, from behind the scenes, by corporations that transform the intimate details of our lives into a commercial product.
A manipulated democracy is false and dangerous, because it distinguishes between a superior class with knowledge at its disposal, and a sub-class that carries on a lower quality of life, because it lacks the necessary knowledge.
Constitutional Reform
I welcomed with enthusiasm the nomination of representatives, from both of the main parties in Parliament, to form part of a “steering committee” on constitutional reform.
After so many years of assurances to begin a process of constitutional reform, pledged repeatedly by both political parties, this much-anticipated process now appears to be moving from words to action.
The initial work of the steering committee will be to propose the way forward, regarding how the process of constitution reform will be conducted. These developments have given me the hope that there is the political will to implement constitutional reform.
Let me also take this opportunity to reassure everybody that the process of constitutional reform will be an exercise in participation, for all of the people who wish to be included.
Nobody will be excluded, because the Constitution is a legitimate instrument for everybody, and all of our people must feel encouraged to make their contributions, to render our Constitution more relevant in today’s world.
In fact, I urge all of us to seize this historical moment, and to make constitutional reform an educational exercise and a democratic participative process, as one united people.
There is the need for the people to bring forward their aspirations, to create the desired transformation in our society, and to invigorate our democratic institutions. In this way, we will be assured of the necessary tools and mechanisms to develop a Constitution that is relevant in the 21st Century.
This process must be an essential component, of our efforts to strengthen our democracy.
Public Life
I was pleased to be informed of the establishment of the Office of the Commissioner for Standards in Public Life. This Office means that not only do we accept the necessity of such standards, but that there will be a Commissioner who focuses on the standards that must be embraced by people in public life.
I believe that all people in public life should be ethical individuals and a good example to our people, while also promoting the good name of our country.
When this is not the case, a great deal of damage is done to the reputation of the Maltese, and our country.
Without pointing a finger at anybody, I believe that we need to examine our conscience and to ensure that everyone who enters public life understands their responsibility, to offer a genuine service to our people and our country.
The people of Malta deserve to have principled individuals in public life, so that the people and the country will receive genuine services and the highest esteem.
Means of Social Communication and the Media
In a full and effective democracy, the right to freedom of expression is sacred.
However, this does not mean that we can abuse this right.
The ethics of those who make use of social media, and of those working in the diverse sectors of the media, have become more important, in an ever changing world. Modern technological progress has led to real time news reports, which are available from everywhere on the earth.
Today, anyone can presume to be some kind of journalist, by passing on his or her views through modern means of communication. Unfortunately, some individuals abuse these means of communication, without taking into account the consequences of their actions. The media, therefore, shoulders a higher responsibility to report the truth.
Fake news has become the order of the day, with the risk that people will believe it and be alienated from the truth.
I therefore urge those who use social media, to be respectful in the way they communicate their diverse views.
I also urge all of those who are in public life to continue to be measured and respectful in the ways that they use such means of communication, because it is their responsibility to set a good example.
On the other hand, I encourage the professional members of the media to continue strengthening their services, by working together. This is essential, to maintain the highest levels of journalistic ethics and to overcome the challenges being posed by sensationalism, prejudice, half-truths, and outright lies.
From the Perspective of Social Justice
For another year of the Republic, from the perspective of social justice, I am pleased to note important developments in the healthcare sector. In particular, there is good news of international recognition, with Malta achieving 9th place in global indicators regarding the sector in general.
In the social sector, I must acknowledge statistics that reveal a reduction in the risk of poverty in Malta.
However, we cannot forget all of those individuals and families, who have not yet overcome this social inequality.
In education and training, I note with satisfaction the reduction of early school leavers in national indicators.
However, we cannot forget the 2 out of 10 young people who leave school, without basic skills.
I am also pleased to note the reduction of absenteeism, an increase in people committed to lifelong learning, an increase in students furthering their studies at a tertiary level, and greater access to vocational training.
In the area of housing, the publication of the White Paper brought hope to thousands, who are in a precarious position because of rising rental and property prices.
Although work has begun, there is more that needs to be done to address concerns of social housing.
In the sector of Human Rights, I applaud the decision taken by the authorities, to assist those individuals whose claims for refugee status were rejected. The launch of the national strategy for integration represents a significant step forward, to achieve effective social justice.
In the area of industrial relations, I have noticed with satisfaction the positive conclusions of several sectoral and collective agreements, including, for the first time, the agreement with the unions representing the members of the disciplined forces.
I am particularly pleased by this development, because I have always believed, that those who work so hard to protect all of us, deserve the best conditions and the utmost respect.
Children and Young People
Our children and young people remain central in my considerations and my thoughts.
While we have many reasons to be truly proud of the achievements of so many children and young people, in areas of academic, artistic, sporting, and cultural achievement, I remain concerned about what they tell me in their schools and on other occasions, when I have met with them.
The question of the environment in our country remains a cause for concern to our children and young people. They require us to be far more prudent and ethical, regarding the ways in which we treat our natural environment. Their thoughts about the important need for green spaces, and their concerns about what is happening to the Maltese countryside, remain prominent in the dialogue that we have together.
Difficulties of stress and challenges of mental health are also among the issues which are often highlighted by children and young people. They are concerned about an educational system that is still too stressful, even though positive measures have been undertaken to address this challenge.
Over the past months, I have been pleased to noted new efforts by student groups, and organisations of young people, which are taking initiatives to address the stigma that surrounds issues of mental health. They are also encouraging an important sense of social conscience and support, towards all those who are experiencing challenges of mental health.
I will never forget the many times I have heard our children and young people speak, with growing urgency, about the issue of bullying.
I will never forget one particular young girl who, with a broken heart, spoke to me in front of her schoolmates, about the way she was being bullied. Her bullies went so far as to say they hoped that she gets cancer. I will never forget the tears in the eyes of her friends, as she shared her narrative.
Freedom of expression cannot mean that we say anything, in any way we want. Such freedom brings with it responsibilities, and cannot be abused. We must learn, from a young age, that respect towards one another is the only way for all of us to live in a full democracy, and in peace.
On the other hand, I am pleased to acknowledge the recent enactment of the new legislation, Vote 16, which is giving 16 year-olds the right to participate in the election of the country’s leaders.
However, I must also state that I do not understand how, while we believe that such young people have the ability to choose our leaders, they do not have the right to participate in positions of leadership themselves.
The participation of our children and young people is necessary. Above all, it is their right, which emerges from the United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The need for greater emphasis on the participation of our children and young people was further reinforced by a Position Paper, that was recently published by the National Institute for Childhood, within the President’s Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society. I am pleased to say that this position paper will, in the coming weeks, be presented to Parliament.
For this reason, while I urge the inclusion of our children and young people to become a structural part of our ongoing processes of democratic participation, I also appeal for us not to drag our feet any longer, to legislate a comprehensive Act on the Rights of the Child, which will enforce the full mandate of the Convention, which our country signed and ratified in 1990.
Next year, in 2019, we will commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Therefore, I urge our authorities to celebrate this historical milestone, by ensuring that the rights of our children are fully protected by national law.
Let me also take this opportunity to encourage our children and young people to enter into the voluntary sector, to achieve certain necessary skills at the earliest possible age, namely, the skills of critical thinking, active citizenship, and leadership.
This appeal is also linked to the latest indicators from the EuroBarometer on Youth, which state that the participation of Maltese young people in the voluntary sector has decreased by 4 percentage points.
Senior Citizens
Our senior citizens deserve all of our respect, because they have given so much to our Maltese Islands.
From the conversations I have had, with many senior citizens, I often hear their concerns about the challenge of loneliness. However, I am glad about the many initiatives, being taken by our authorities and civil society, for our senior citizens to remain active.
I urge our authorities and civil society to use the skills, the experiences, and the desire which so many senior citizens express, to continue contributing towards the common good and prosperity of Malta.
I also encourage our educators to create opportunities for intergenerational encounters, between senior citizens and our children and young people.
In this way, the values that our senior citizens have developed, to build a resilient Maltese society, will be passed down to our younger generations.
Educators
I have always spoken about the great importance of obligatory education. In this context, let me commend all of the teachers who are educating the people of Malta. I appreciate the great complexity of your work, for the benefit of our younger generations.
Therefore, I appeal to our authorities to ensure that educators receive the best resources, and have access to high quality systems of support in the best interests of our children and young people.
I also urge the people of Malta, to show the due respect towards the teaching profession, and I urge our young people, to consider education as an opportunity to be of service to their country.
Let me commend the educators who continue to teach our children, beyond obligatory education.
Thank you for the work that you do, for the socio-economic benefit of Malta.
Gender Pay Gap and Gender-based Equality
Statistics from the Structure of Earnings Survey, published by the National Statistics Office, show the drastic difference in pay between men and women. It is of serious concern that the more education a woman acquires, the greater the gender pay gap and the disparity in income.
As we all believe that increased education brings greater access to opportunity, it is worrying to note that more education could mean more discrimination.
Our country must strive harder, in the field of gender equality.
It is my hope that in the years to come, through affirmative action, this gap will not only close in terms of pay, but we will also see a greater presence of women in positions of leadership in our country.
This will contribute significantly to help all of those individuals, most of whom are women, who are caught up in abusive and violent relationships.
We require greater impetus, to move forward from our excellent legislative framework against gender-based violence to an effective action plan, which addresses the patriarchal culture that, unfortunately, still exists in our country, to the detriment of both women and men.
We must work with our children and young people in their schools, to ensure that respect for one another forms the basis upon which our mutual relationships are built.
We can never have a full democracy, or peace, if, amongst us remains any person who does not yet respect human dignity.
Conclusion
Democracy is the best means that we have, in today’s world, to celebrate human dignity and to safeguard the observance of human rights and peace, in our communities and in Maltese society.
This is my last speech as President of Malta, on this beloved feast of Republic Day.
I must admit that I have felt privileged and honoured to have this opportunity to be able to share with you, as one of you, these reflections about the things I truly believe in.
This has been a privilege, bestowed upon me thanks to the representatives of the people through Parliament, where for the first time the nomination of President of Malta was reached through unanimous agreement, both by Government and Opposition, notwithstanding my coming from the Government benches.
I hope this consensus will continue for my successors, because the President of our nation should have no party but should serve the people, with loyalty and with a conscience that goes beyond any desire for popularity.
Therefore, before I conclude, I wish to express my gratitude to the Government and Opposition who received my criticisms with respect, and accepted a number of the proposed suggestions.
I wish to commend all of the workers, in the diverse socio-economic sectors, for their tireless services, which they give to our country thanks to their efforts.
I wish to commend all of those who are creating dignified and quality employment in our country.
I also wish to commend the business community of Malta and Gozo, who are taking their corporate social responsibility seriously, for the benefit of Maltese society.
We must strengthen the partnership among workers, professionals, and the business sector, to ensure that our nation creates a dignified and prosperous future for our children.
Above all, I wish to thank the entire people of Malta and Gozo for the respect and support they have given me.
My gratitude also goes to those among us who have criticised me, perhaps at times in haste and with lack of forethought, because I have learnt from the experience.
I learnt from everyone, especially when I was amongst you.
I learnt from our children and young people.
I learned most keenly about how we are capable and competent in our capacity as individuals, but even more so when we are united, and mindful of one another.
Today, more than ever before, I believe that we, as a nation, have the ability to be unique.
We have the ability to ensure that nobody is left behind.
We have the ability to strengthen unity, and moreover, to nurture peace among the nations.
Our children want us to be united, and they want Malta to be a country in which nobody is made to suffer or to feel excluded.
Our children want us to respect one another.
Our children do not want conflict, rather, they want our country to welcome them and give them peace of mind.
Dear young people of Malta and Gozo, I urge you to be activists for a Malta that is valued for its genuine work, for an inclusive and resilient people. God willing, you will be worthy to become the ethical leaders of our country, in the future.
Dear brothers and sisters of Malta and Gozo, I assure you that all the experiences we have lived through together will remain engraved in my heart, with love and tenderness.
Long live the Republic of Malta.