President Marie Louise Coleiro today appealed to politicians to unite, instead of wasting time on unnecessary bickering, during her Republic Day speech.
Her address brought a number of issues to the fore, primarily terrorism, domestic violence and the political divide.
"The Republic of Malta has gone through another year. It has been an eventful one, with its fair share of experiences that were completely unexpected, of occurrences that gave us great satisfaction, and of others that saddened us. It has truly been a year filled with a kaleidoscope of events. These twelve months have seen us, as a people strive through the highs and lows of everyday life".
The President highlighted the two major international events which took place in Malta this year, The Valletta Summit and CHOGM, stating that these events remind us "that our vocation as an oasis of peace, and as an intercultural bridge in the centre of the Mediterranean, is not merely a set of metaphors expressed exclusively within the local context".
She addressed terrorism and security concerns. "The conflicts and acts of terrorism taking place in our region and in countries further away, lead us to understand even more clearly how our vocation, as a nation that cherishes and treasures peace, should go on determining the work that we do for our people, for the nations around us, and for the whole of humanity".
"On the other hand, our own safety and security should remain important priorities high on our national agenda. I appeal to our political leaders, and to all the people of Malta, to unite and not waste time in unnecessary bickering, that divides us, and which make us susceptible when faced by events and situations that require our resilience".
For her, this year has been a journey of love that focused on what is essential in life, rather than on what is frivolous and superficial. "It was the Maltese people themselves who persuaded me, through their own words and experiences, that this Presidency should be much more than parades, laying of bouquets and wreaths, and ceremonial speeches".
"Many were those who asked me to be, in my role as President, their voice and a shoulder for them to lean on. I accepted this duty, with all the consequences that this decision entails. While I accept the fact that time is the greatest of teachers, and that details may change, my work as a President, inspired by solidarity and social justice, will remain unchanged till the end of my tenure."
The President spoke of equality, and said that the Republic was born within an economy where women's employment, mainly in the textile industry, was a determining factor for the economic wellbeing of our country. "This historical fact, which is neither well-remembered nor duly celebrated, puts women in the centre of the economic development of Malta. It reminds us that women's role in the economy, set within the context of equality in the upbringing of children, is indispensable".
"Unfortunately, in spite of all the progress in the field of equality that has taken place over the years since Malta became a Republic, there is much more to be done for women in Malta to be more present and visible in our country's public life. I also note that the success of women in education in Malta, proved empirically by both international and local studies, is not leading to a more equitable status in our country, both in public or in private management roles".
"European indicators show that Maltese women are still to be found at the periphery in areas of important decision-making. We need to address this social injustice and this democratic deficit with more energy and more haste".
She spoke of the need for a stronger presence of competent women in managerial posts, and that through this, Malta would be able to make decisions that will respect the interests, realities, and, above all, the rights of a wider spectrum of our population. "At the same time, I am convinced that the further away women are kept from leadership roles and from the areas of power, the greater will be the possibilities of abuse, exploitation and reduction in the quality of people's lives".
Domestic violence is a social disease that needs immediate attention
The President also addressed domestic violence and expressed her deep sorrow on the increasing reports of such incidents seen. "We are right to worry about terrorist acts but I find it very strange that we seem not to want to engage in conversation regarding the situation of Maltese women and men, many more women than men, terrorized within their homes every day and in complete silence. Domestic violence is a social disease that needs immediate attention".
"The fact that it is women, who are mostly the victims of this aggression, leads me to conclude that domestic violence is not simply a personal disorder, but a symptom of a social condition - patriarchy - that is eating away at democracy in our country".
She spoke of verbal violence and said that it would be impossible to build a strong republic if "we do not recognize that verbal violence is on the increase in our country. When the microphone and the internet were made accessible to all, it was believed that democracy would be strengthened. It is clear, however, that the educational deficit in the ethical use of the means of social communication is leading to break down, rather than building of our society".
She questioned whether verbal aggression and insults have become normalised.
The President highlighted the education sector."I must also acknowledge the outstanding work that has been done, and is still being done, by thousands of workers in this field. However, the facts speak for themselves. We still have too many children, young people and adults who do not view education and training as an integral part of life. More worrying is the fact that, although the rate of early school leavers has decreased over the years, there is still a considerable number of children and young people who leave compulsory education without having obtained basic skills".
Children's rights
President Marie Louise Coleiro stressed the need for Malta to develop the necessary structures to give the right to be heard to children and young people, not occasionally, but regularly, as part of the decision-making process.
"Besides, I would like to refer to other rights that our children are still deprived of, despite the fact that Malta has, ever since 1990, been a signatory of the United Nations Convention for Children's Rights".
"To date, we are still without a comprehensive legislation about the rights of children and moreover, without the Child Protection Act (Out-of-Home Care). Consequently, I encourage Parliament without delay, to put in place the necessary legislation that would give Maltese children the means whereby they become effective citizens of our country".
Poverty and Inequality
She spoke of studies conducted by the President's Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society and the meetings of the fora within this structure, and they clearly show that precarious working conditions and poverty are among the biggest hurdles to lifelong learning and social mobility
"I must remind you that a considerable number of those on the threshold of poverty are the working poor, or pensioners, who cannot cope with the cost of living or guarantee a quality of life for themselves".
"One hopes that the measures taken in September of this year, with regard to poverty among children and young people, and the measures which will be coming into force in January of next year with regards to some pensioners, will bear the much-desired fruit".
Constitutional reform
"The behaviour of our politicians has been a recurrent theme during this year which is approaching its end. The political parties have disagreed about all aspects of life. They did this in a most public of ways, and at times in the most aggressive of ways. No party emerged victorious in this battle. Malta was the loser!"
"In the meantime, trust in the highest institution of the country continued to deteriorate. Those who wish the best for the Republic, yearn to see an improvement in the behaviour of politicians, both inside and outside parliament. There is an urgent need for politics to recover its good reputation. It can only do this through exemplary and ethically correct behaviour. What applies to politics holds true also to other institutions, many of which have been in the news during this year".
"Within this context, it is undoubtedly clear that the Constitutional Reform is all the more urgently required. I urge all of us to rise above partisan politics and unite together to revise and strengthen those institutions, on which the safeguarding of our democracy and the rights of our people, are built".
The President also spoke of sustainable development, and said: "regretfully, I look back over the years and note that economic development has not always respected our environment. Natural resources have been destroyed, biodiversity and wild life impoverished. Water, a basic right, is threatened; public spaces have decreased".
Some schools are dangerous environments
The doctoral study of Peter Fsadni also reveals that even some of our schools are dangerous environments for the health of our children and young people, she said. "This is part of the result of long years of unbridled development that enclosed us within limited spaces that are making us ill, a process that seems to be endless. Faced by this environmental impoverishment, I insist that we cannot preach to the world if we remain architects of destruction in our own country".
"I am making this heartfelt appeal on behalf of Maltese and Gozitan children and young people, who often speak to me about their sincere wish for Malta to offer them an environment free from anxiety and that provides a sense of wellbeing. This is precisely why I appeal to all our Parliamentarians to come together and develop a national environmental vision and policy, for the sake of our children and our young people".
Earlier today, a ceremonial parade by the Armed Forces of Malta on the occasion of Republic Day took place in St George's Square, Valletta.
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat was accorded the National Salute by the Armed Forces of Malta.
