Easter Sunday is the historical epitome of a time that sees believers through human suffering, where solidarity should not be a matter of sentiment but a fact. If the basic elements – identity of interest, clarity of vision, honesty of intent and oneness of purpose, or any one of these – is lacking, all sentimental pleas for solidarity will achieve nothing.
More often than not, we tend to end up as onlookers or viewers who may have been impressed by the situations portrayed through harsh media reports or the various spots and interviews, repeatedly relayed throughout the time that traditionally leads up to Easter. In reality, human beings do not thrive when isolated from each other: they can hardly develop or succeed if they ignore the rest.
The real key to prosperity is the acceptance of each other’s uniqueness and everyone’s needs. It is not simply a co-existence of the hurried live-and-let-live attitude. It should include the appreciation of each other’s rights and aspirations. Cohesion and integration come from the homogeneity of individuals, since people feel connected through similar ideas or inter-dependent aspirations. Diversity of social standing or lifestyles, together with intellectual or physical abilities, should complement individual needs with individual, collective and appropriate support.
Solidarity is not a sentiment
These concepts are the real constants throughout each phase of the many projects we plan and realize, together with the many departments and entities that fall within my portfolio, hand-in-hand with all the stakeholders in each sector. People mention vulnerability and needs but, in the long run, needs turn out to become rights for those who – for whatever reason – cannot make it at the same pace as the rest of society.
Through my work, I meet and face all such instances – and deeper ones – rekindling in me even greater determination to be proactive and ensure the necessary response through various initiatives and structures. Both the disability sector and that of the elderly are loaded with human experiences that spur us on to find solutions rather than crying and being compassionate. In my role in the country’s administration I will never accept pity as a first reaction. I strongly believe in the intrinsic mission that forms the title of my position as part of the government – Rights of People with Disabilities and Active Ageing.
I am frequently reminded of the 17th-century saying by John Donne: “No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main.” What strikes me most, in my role of Parliamentary Secretary responsible for the elderly and disabled persons, is a subsequent line that says: “because I am involved in mankind.” In my line of work ‘mankind’ entails thousands of people and their respective families who will not wait for Easters for their needs to be addressed.
I believe that this is what solidarity means when it comes to government services, entwined and interlaced as they are with the admirable and hard work of voluntary organisations. The sterling work performed by the immediate families and volunteers is such a blessing to society in so many fields of activity. I also cherish the fact that a high percentage of people in the voluntary sector themselves form part of the ‘elderly sector’, proving not only their resilience and determination to remain active, but also giving the added value of their experience and knowledge.
Active ageing and culture
Solidarity is the unity of human interests, strategic objectives and necessary standards, all put together to result in a fair and equitable society. In this way we share values that build a society that binds people together as one community.
An important way for the older members of our society to actually feel active is through the historical and cultural heritage of both islands. This week, we took yet another step forward through a new initiative with Heritage Malta for older people from the various learning hubs and day-centres to visit historical sites and appreciate the art of conservation as professionally carried out by the national agency for the preservation and exposition of our valuable cultural wealth. The elderly can better relate to the historical events that built our nation and can feel proud to re-visit such memories and savour the pride of belonging to a country that has survived over so many years and continues to thrive.
This week I had the opportunity to visit many older people participating in our programmes, in our homes and in the community to wish them a peaceful Easter. These first-hand experiences are the true reality check in our various aspects of human values.
Solidarity-in-progress
In our endeavours to achieve everything that is required, we ensure that our front-liners in the various fields of service provided are fully trained and prepared, thus securing the high qualities that the elderly and those with disabilities deserve. This is what I call ‘solidarity-in-progress’ which is not required to wait for any festival on the calendar to come into action. On a daily basis, the vast majority of our staff, at all levels, do not act out of pity but out of a sense of duty.
The highly motivated workforce we have in the Department for Active Ageing and Community Care and the national service provider Aġenzija Sapport, together with hundreds of dedicated carers within the community or residential homes, is the brave heart and human expression of all that my Parliamentary Secretariat plans to provide on behalf of the nation. I had the opportunity this week to stress such points yet again whilst reiterating the importance of the community work they carry out to professional standards. Our teams ensure our success through their constant team spirit and professional work. The famous axiom “no man is an island” is what has driven all my teams since being assigned these responsibilities.
Being a Gozitan
Talking of being an island, it goes without saying that, as a Gozitan myself, I am constantly reminded of the “no man is an island” notion, when participating in cabinet meetings or carrying out my duties – in Parliament, at the Ministry or at any other venue where I am present in my official capacity. Fully aware that all legislation and structures necessarily have to reach out to everyone, I look for ways of bringing everything that the country provides closer and more accessible to my compatriots.
For long decades, Gozitans had to make an extra effort to obtain anything to which they were entitled. In everything that falls within my remit I try to alleviate such requirements by extending all possible structures and services on a more immediate local basis. In only a few years we have established various services, including day centres and night shelters for the elderly, as well as public/private partnerships with the Church and/or the private sector to accommodate the older members of our society in residential homes and provide respite services for their carers.
We have moved ahead with new projects such as the dementia-friendly community project in San Lawrenz, a first that is being closely monitored at international level, with a strong plan of action and services for people with dementia and their care-givers. The BeActive campaign in Kerċem has now become a permanent project for older people in Gozo, and for people with disability we have established, among other initiatives, the life-long learning hub in Għajnsielem where qualified trainers from the MCA, Jobs+ and Aġenzija Sapport have led dozens of people towards independent employment. This complements two community homes for independent living – Dar il-Fjuri and Dar il-Ġublew tal-Ħniena – two out of five that are already up and running in Malta and Gozo, with another five at an advanced stage.
I have also recently appointed a Gozo Commission to further monitor and advise on the implementation of the National Strategy for Active Ageing. This – and much more – is how we have managed to bring national provisions nearer to home, as well as having set up fully-fledged Gozo branches for the National Commission for the Rights of People with Disabilities, the Gozo Special Olympics and the recently established Aġenzija Sapport in Gozo. As well as reaching out to elderly and disabled people in Gozo, the move has also created the need for more Gozitans to work in both sectors among our Gozitan clients.
Through such services, I therefore wish a Happy Easter in kind to all who deserve them all year round!