VII Plenary Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean
Malta 12-13 October, 2012
Keynote Speech
3rd Standing Committee on Dialogue and Civilisations and Human Rights
Hon. Justyne Caruana – MP (Malta)
Check against delivery
It is often the case, that we as parliamentarians represent people who inadvertently find themselves in the midst of difficult situations. Through our public policy reaction to these crisis situations we have to be the agents of change towards the goal of ameliorating /improving the conditions of our society and the citizen’s quality of life.
Recently, this has become even more imperative and challenging with the complexity arising out of two major developments in our region:
a) the financial crisis affecting the Euro countries; and
b) the Arab Spring.
These crucial events are the hinges of profound change, many of which are evolutionary, others revolutionary, in economic thought, civic responsibility, fundamental rights and the very fundamentals of both market and political liberalism.
Whereas in many places, politics has tended to be tribal and in another sense dimensional; left versus right or free-market versus planned economies, or going back even further aligned with one superpower or another, today’s world with globalized communication and inter-locked economies, calls for a new approach and a break with the old paradigm. Without doubt there is a growing clamor for a new way of thinking, which I believe should be centered on Progressive policies and principles founded around the support and defense of human rights, educational and work opportunities and a fair society for all – especially the vulnerable and poor. Progressive policies treat all individuals with dignity, respecting their particular aspirations, differences and autonomy, particularly regardless of gender, religion, language or national origin, and by equally enforcing the rule of law to ensure these liberties, rights and resultant obligations uniformly apply for all other citizens.
A Fair Society is a society where the weakest are helped and protected; where everybody is given access to education both as an absolute minimum and later according to their aspirations and potential. It is government’s role to foster an environment with the least possible bureaucracy and one where private enterprise can be creative, grow and thus generate job opportunities.
In a fair society, the few select powerful individuals or corporations should not be allowed to restrict market competition to the detriment of consumers, or damage the natural environment or cultural heritage to the detriment of future generations.
Today I will focus on education and youth employment gender equality, disability issues, immigration and the role of cultural diplomacy – which are all prominent topics in our third standing committee.
Education and youth un/employment
Education is the gateway to employment opportunities especially for youth. Despite how many times all persons in politics or responsible for public policy, repeat this and commit themselves, there still are substantial challenges to overcome. In a world where even those with university degrees are having a harder time finding a job that fits their capabilities, there is no question that a free quality secondary education is an absolute minimum requirement.
Furthermore, free post-secondary education, including choices for vocational training is an absolute must for low-income families and these policies are an effective way for youths to better their economic situation. This can be achieved through scholarships, apprenticeships schemes or similar programs balancing work, training and study for additional qualifications.
In Malta we have one of the most generous, free post-secondary education systems. Yet there is more which must be done, such as more scholarships, and means-tested support to cover various ancillary expenses especially for students from Gozo. However, despite the millions of Euros we spend per year, our educational system still yields high illiteracy rates and early school leavers
We must foster and implement effective inclusion policies to ensure that each and every child in our country benefits from our educational system. And our main challenge is to provide the necessary and timely intervention in cases of children with learning difficulties and other conditions. In order to prepare children and young people to cope with the changing requests of a demanding labour market, education must focus on providing advanced skills to facilitate the inevitable transitions among jobs as such become available in a dynamic marketplace
Considering that half of our unemployed are youths, a situations which is further aggravated on the island of Gozo; we in the Labour Party are proposing or better yet guarantee that each and every person aged over 16 must either be in employment, or furthering his/her education or being trained in a particular skill set. We do not want a lost generation but an active generation capable of great achievements, and we are committed to implementing a concrete plan of action.
Gender Equality
Despite progress over the long term, many aspects of the equality ideal remain unrealized, including gender
Now more than ever we need to delve into gender issues because when it comes to weathering the economic crisis women are in a weaker position than men. Women have lower employment rates, which in my country, the participation rate currently stands only half way towards the target of the Lisbon Strategy. And even when they do have jobs, women earn less than men for the same work. Similarly, when it comes to job tenure, women have less security and are more likely to lose their jobs. In the last year, in Malta women were losing their job every day and chances to get back into employment are very slim.
Our women also face big challenges to retain employment after child birth because of the general lack of child care facilities and because when available, many time these are not affordable for those who really need them. There is a need for a serious study and assessment of child care subsidy schemes, a re-thinking of family friendly measures in the public sector and an effort to also introduce them in the private sector.
For many Maltese women, the need to work arises not only from a desire to participate in economic growth but also from a necessity to support themselves and their families due to the increase in the cost of living
As the recession continues to filter through from developed countries to developing countries, we need to be even more vigilant in ensuring that women’s rights and priorities are given special attention.
Support for weakest in society
In our previous meetings in Palermo, Ankara and even in Lisbon I strongly emphasized on disability issues. Everybody has something to contribute, and thus policies in a fair society have to encourage inclusion and empowerment on whichever level a person has whatever ability. Governments have a moral obligation to ensure that no person is left behind.
Our disabled persons have abilities too, and we want them to fully participate in the community. The Labour Party has plans for an innovative project of independent living, which will also drive supported employment to give disabled persons dignity and income to eradicate poverty and social exclusion within such a vulnerable group.
Statistics reveal that the disabled are less economically active and therefore the poverty rate amongst the disabled is very high leading to an inferior quality of life so I firmly believe that PAM should also delve into issues related to this important section in society which often remains unheard.
Disabled people deserve to be educated and integrated in the educational system so as to empower them and grant them the opportunity to live up according to their maximum potential. Access to education at all levels and life-long learning is crucial.
Bottom-line. There should be zero public policy barriers which prevent our disabled citizens from participating effectively in an impediment free society – a society truly characterised by inclusion, equal opportunities and respect.
IMMIGRATION
Immigration is also tackled in our third standing committee and is also strongly related to human rights and loaded with human tragedy and hardship.
Though recently Malta has been on the receiving side of immigration, the Maltese people especially Gozitans have a very long history of emigration which still persists today de to lack of job opportunities. So many of us know first-hand the difficulties faced when one has to leave their homeland because of economic hardship. As such most Maltese are quite tolerant and sympathetic to the plight of migrants in general.
On the other hand, Malta is a tiny country by the standards of the other countries surrounding it, and it is simply not feasible for Malta and Gozo to play host to waves on immigrants – whatever their national origin. Unfortunately, although there has been a lot of talk about solidarity from Northern EU countries, to support countries like Malta that are most affected by illegal immigration into the EU, the actual support has been mostly token and minimal. This is far from the proportionality demanded from the larger EU countries when it came to paying for the financial bail-outs to be shared across-the board.
In our case, the present burden sharing, even in concept, is certainly not enough and solidarity needs to be truly and tangibly expressed. We cannot bear the burden all alone.
Cultural diplomacy
Today, more than ever before, culture has a vital role to play in international relations. This stems from the wider, connective and human values that culture has: culture is both the means by which we come to understand others, and an aspect of life with innate worth that we enjoy and seek out. Cultural exchange gives us the chance to appreciate points of commonality and, where there are differences, to understand the motivations and humanity that underlie them.
PAM is the ideal platform for multilateral cultural cooperation among states and together with all stakeholders.
As Mediterranean states we have a number of historical advantages in this regard. Our culture and heritage have a huge potential to act as magnets for tourism and business, and for our creative industries to thrive and flourish. In particular Malta as the geographical centre of the Mediterranean boasts a strong tradition of international cultural exchange which often offered a unique and extended opportunity to showcase our cultural standing and to elaborate an understanding of the value of cultural diplomacy for a new era.
As PAM we must encourage the creation of more mechanisms for engaging cultural institutions and professionals in the policy-making process so that we do not miss important opportunities. We all have a duty to realize this potential and PAM is surely an optimal forum to further and enhance this kind of diplomatic co-operation to foster a shared public space, where all generations and all groups can express themselves and can participate actively in the life of the societies in which they live.
Conclusion
As Mediterranean countries we need to cooperate together in order to create the right environment based on stability to attract investment, which in turn creates jobs; but more importantly, encouraging our youth to be more creative and innovative, and most of all re-gain their trust.
Finally despite all the troubles, as a region we still have the potential to be thriving again. We have to turn our challenges into opportunities for a fair society to all so that not a single citizen falls behind – we need to be bold and rise up to this challenge for the benefit our countries and our people.