Everybody is equal and that is what the Special Olympics are all about. Although meant to be a competitive international event for people with a disability, the basic message is the power to demonstrate to all people that "these persons are able and not disabled" - as a young mother told me when I was appointed Parliamentary Secretary.
Over 6,000 athletes are taking part in the 2015 Special World Olympics, "Games of the Heart" being held in Los Angeles from 25th July to 2nd August. Tiny Malta and Gozo are being represented by a group of 22 athletes, ably led by our excellent national coordinator Anna Calleja. It is one of the biggest humanitarian and sportive events ever held, with the unparalleled spirit of enthusiasm, teamwork, joy and displays of courage and skills that are hallmarks of all Special Olympics events. Here, I give my fullest support to our athletes as I did last year at the European Special Olympics in Belgium, when our 32 athletes won 24 gold medals, 16 silver medals, 18 bronze medals and 4 ribbons.
As Parliamentary Secretary responsible for the rights of people with a disability, I feel this is the right place to be when our athletes can demonstrate that among the 165 countries represented they can do as well as any other contingent. It is indeed an overwhelming sensation to be among the athletes themselves, perhaps away from the usual protocols of formalities, and surrounded by the enthusiasm of the high-spirited protagonists themselves. Nothing else can be more inspiring and rewarding than personally experiencing the determination and courage of those who we, as a government, strive to support at all levels.
Such events bring me positively closer to the reality of persons with a disability. The smiles and the great spirit they show is more than reward enough for all the lengthy planning and legislating sessions we do all year round in favour of these persons' rights for equal opportunities. It is indeed an emotional experience to witness the satisfaction of Anna Calleja and her team in the Special Olympics Committee.
Their mission is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. They strive to give them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of skills and friendship with their families, other athletes and the community. Special Olympics also provides a healthy athlete programme with doctors and medical specialists screening athletes during games to see that medical problems are eliminated or helped.
One particular symptom that amazes me each time I find myself among these people is primarily their personal enjoyment of participating, proudly brandishing the Maltese flag. The competitive edge is all there for us to witness, but certainly the emotions of teamwork spells out what the Special Olympic Games are all about. Volunteering is also very conspicuous all around and its all hands on deck for the estimated 30,000 people at any stage of the competition and other related logistics. This is in fact, yet another international event meant to provide the fullest support possible for these persons to enjoy the best quality of life they deserve.
It is the same aim we strive for incessantly on a national level in the two sectors for which my Secretariat is responsible. Providing the necessary services to disabled people and the elderly is our duty, but ensuring high-quality in all that we provide is what we aspire and strive for. In the past week we achieved two particular goals.
We have concluded an agreement with the University of Malta for the care-assistants course to be accredited as a recognized unit within the study programme of the Arts and Liberal Sciences. This is a leap forward in our commitment to ensure more professional training for all those involved in the care of the elderly. The course will be held on a full-time basis between September and December later this year and will consist of theory and practice. Credits achieved in this course may eventually lead to a diploma or degree within a course provided by the Centre for the Liberal Arts and Sciences.
In line with similar agreements and joint projects with the University of Malta, last week's agreement proves my government's determination to convert St Vincent de Paule Residence into a centre of excellence for the care of the elderly and for further professional training for persons entrusted with such care. Earlier this year, we also acquired the university's professional support to train, with EU funds, well over 1,000 staff working in the sectors of the elderly and people with a disability.
Needless to say, the Geriatric Dental Teaching Unit and the Staff Training Centre at the same residence were two other landmarks in our endeavours to upgrade the skills and abilities of all staff. Besides the individual's personal professional enrichment, we aim to have collaborators with hands-on skills that ensure the best quality service to those who deserve, rather than require, support from this government service.
Details about the care-assistants course, due to start in September, can be obtained from the Secretariat's website www.activeageing.gov.mt, or by phoning 2291 2473 during office hours. Applications are to be submitted in the morning at San Vinċenz de Paul, Training Centre, Triq l-Ingiered, Luqa.
Last week I unveiled an exhibition of designs, "Dementia Friendly Outdoors", by Masters' students at the Malta University's Faculty for Built Environment. The architectural proposals are intended for the open spaces at St Vincent de Paule Residence, where the students were instructed to focus on people with dementia and related requirements and amenities. The government is in fact committed to realise the selected project. This follows the national strategy launched just two months ago about dementia through which we are creating dementia friendly measures, among which Dementia Friendly Communities.
I personally believe that with such direct involvement, students aspiring to become professionals in a few years' time will fully understand the architectural and infrastructural requirement of the elderly and those suffering from dementia - which is forecast to increase in the coming years. Twinning our services for the elderly and disabled persons with a wide spectrum of learning and training programmes for carers and for students alike, can be a useful way of securing the current and future needs for high quality service.
In Gozo, together with Kercem Ajax Football Club, we launched the first part of a national pilot project for active ageing with a programme of activities targeting older persons. These range from physical activity, healthy living and habits and light leisure activities including zumba and others. The programme will run from 1st August till the end of December and will be fully funded by my Parliamentary Secretariat. This is in part implementation of the national active ageing strategy to ensure a meaningful life of quality for older people with programmes tailor-made for them.
Meantime, the entire contingent in Los Angeles for the World Special Olympics 2015 would like to ensure one and all that they will to their best to make the people of Malta and Gozo proud!