Summer is commonly known as the silly season because it is typified by frivolous stories that hit the headlines. So I thought I would provide my own account of the summer ponderings that dominate during these hot and humid days.  I list out these first 20 thoughts (with another 20 next week) as I sit at the beach facing the lovely island of Kemmuna, this pristine arid piece of rock that is faultless in its imperfections. 

1.  Our sea remains a gem.  Some time ago during an interview on my radio show Ghandi xi Nghid Professor Alan Deidun, a renowned professor in marine biology and a public intellectual per excellence, claimed that it isn’t precise when we say that we do not have our own natural resources.  He claims that our sea is indeed a natural source that merits protection and respect.  Even though we have done a lot over these years to improve the sea that surrounds our Island, however, the recent controversy surrounding the fish farm discharge should ring an alarm bell.

2.  Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna has once again come down strongly when it comes to a contestable environmental issue. His position verges on direct confrontation, this time round it is the ‘high rise’ concern. I am indeed pleased that the Catholic Church is coming out of its cosy-corner and instead of just preaching from the pulpit takes positions not only on spiritual and moral matters but also on social ones. If you had to ask me, at times the tone used by the archbishop needs to be polished up. His statements should take into account that now more than ever the political discourse is as antagonistic and partisan as it gets.   

3.  What I would like to see more is consistency in the church at parish level.  In fact it is unfortunate that the Sliema parish priests are only speaking about the urban mess now when the degeneration of Sliema had started years ago.  Not only that, most of our towns and villages would have benefitted from the church leaders’ appeals if they had taken a stand on a number of urban developments that have turned our country into a concrete muddle. There are also social matters that the church should brave at parish level.

4.  Probably the talk of the summer remains our two chief bloggers. Daphne Caruana Galizia and Glenn Bedingfield are using similar tactics, probably attempting at choking each others’ message.  It doesn’t bother me at all to have bloggers who speak their minds. My discomfort lies when the personal gets muddled up with the professional.

5.  The viciousness of cheap politics has no end in sight in this country.  When we attack and put on the spot relatives of our politicians knowing well-enough that they might have health difficulties only confirms that we have reached the pits. 

6. I sit on the Board of the Fondazzjoni Dar Kenn ghal Sahhtek.  This ‘dream child’ of President Emeritus George Abela has developed into a fantastic success story for a population that by-and-large was not being served, essentially those with eating disorders. With an exemplary model of practice and collaboration between MCCF and the Ministry for Health this has turned into a flagship service provision in terms of quality and cost effectiveness.  Kudos to Darleen Zerafa the director of this home and Board Chairman, Psychiatrist Dr Anton Grech.  Their commitment to the cause is indeed exemplary and contagious.

7.  The new Commissioner of Children Pauline Miceli has only been in office for a short period of time, but as expected is already leaving an impact on the sector.  Her soft-spoken, determined and resolute style sits in good stead for the cause, a case in point being the recent launch of the study ‘Let Me Thrive – A Research Study on Foster Care in Malta.’

8. Paul Gatt and Daniela Zerafa are the foster parents of a lovely child.  They are my choice couple of the summer! Whilst humble and unassuming they work incessantly for the good of their family but without losing sight of the wider picture by contributing in the National Foster Care Association of Malta.

9.  Prime Minister Joseph Muscat remains one of the most hard-wearing politicians I can think of.  He’s had to cope with delayed and wrong decisions, ministerial booboos and controversial judgments.  However the good economic results, fiscal stability, work opportunities and the civil rights agenda have probably kept him afloat – well the surveys seem to indicate that.

10.  Whilst we are talking politics I must say that I am positively impressed by the work that the Speaker of the House Dr Anglu Farrugia has managed to see through.  He has been running a group of men and women that are habitually led more by their sense of self than by the common good.  Yet he has managed to give character to this Institution, strengthen its autonomy and give it direction amidst the risk that the debates at times turn into babbling.

11. Two politicians that stood out these last months are Dr Marlene Farrugia and Dr Godfrey Farrugia.  The former for her ‘no-strings attached’ approach, always ready to kick up for what she believes in, the latter for his gentleness and dedication to the cause.  What both have in common is that they are two MPs who love their country.

12. The installation of a new rector at the University of Malta has been given a great deal of attention in the media.  Professor Alfred Vella is not new to this Institution and has said quite a bit these last months on his vision.  However apart from the resolve to have the new University Act published at the earliest and the need for more financial autonomy he has spoken at length on his longing to see even more academics engaged in the public debate. Indeed encouraging.

13.  Dan(iel) u San(der) are co-presenters of the highly popular Radju Malta’s breakfast show.  They are a brilliant example of how satire should be.  Apart from doing excellent radio, they remind us to laugh about ourselves.  These ‘sociologists of a different kind’ deserve admiration that come what may, like every other entertainer, ensure that the show must go on – imagine a society without that occasional smile – or burlesque dig.

14.  The President of the Republic Marie Louise Coleiro Preca remains at the forefront in speaking about the fundamentals of our community especially on those sitting at the margins of our society. 

15.  Probably one of the biggest career moves I’ve had was being elected as Dean of the Faculty for Social Wellbeing a couple of weeks ago.  It is indeed a privilege to lead such an exquisite Faculty, the sixth largest with almost 1,000 students and 25 courses.  The faculty's next step is to become an associate in the design of social policy. The resources we have in our Faculty in terms of academic scholarship are of the highest quality supported by excellent administrators and dyed-in-the-wool students.

16.  Several parents of children who still attend compulsory education and some people ‘out there’ still believe that teaching is a walk in the park, a part-time job done nine months a year.  Wrong.  School communities have so much to grapple with.  I consider educators as one of the most devoted professions.  They get the flak and little appreciation is shown for the work they do and their pay says it all!  They work during all of the summer, have to double up as project managers and community leaders and as I said rarely get the adulation they merit.

17.  The Erasmus week for youth with dyslexia run by Dr Ruth Falzon from the Department of Counselling, Mary Rose Formosa, a youth work student and a parent of dyslexic kids and visiting lecturer Maud Muscat is to say the least exemplary.  It was a learning experience for our Youth Work students who supported this initiative.  Even though there is much more awareness about this issue children and young people with dyslexia are still being short-changed and have to struggle with a system that is still resistant to adaptability.

18.  The first Commissioner of the National Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disability, Oliver Scicluna still tops my list as one of the most up-coming and resilient young people in Malta. This sector lacked leadership and his determination to overcome his physical boundaries have made him a symbol of where this sector needs to go.  His positive, non-defensive and youthful approach is a breadth of fresh air. 

19.  The Olympics are always packed with heroic athletes.  Needless to mention Mo Farah, the 10k specialist, Usain ‘sprinter’ Bolt, swimmer Phelps and the young gymnast Biles are indeed fantastic athletes that have shone in Rio. But at the top of my popularity list sits the beautiful and young tennis player Monica Puig representing Puerto Rico. Her strength, technique, determination and passion were second to none – all life lessons we need to keep in mind.

20. Award for ‘Clown of the Summer’ goes to US Presidential candidate Donald Trump.  The way the international political scene has deteriorated is worrying to say the least.  The fact that the US has arrived at this point, even without Trump getting elected, is itself a failure of the political class, disenchantment with the way things are panning out and the dejection of political affairs.  This country of big democratic ideals is turning politics into a travesty.