"Little strokes fell great oaks" is a popular Norwegian saying. A difficult task, such as changing outdated ideas or overcoming challenges, can be achieved gradually, a little at a time, but steadily.
After my first two weeks taking stock and setting deadlines for new projects in Gozo, I had my first international engagement as the newly elected Minister for Gozo. On Thursday, I had the honour of addressing the political bureau meeting of the Conference of Peripheric and Maritime Regions (CPMR) which was held in Stavanger, the third-largest urban area and metropolitan area of Norway. Known as the Oil Capital of Norway, due to its rapid growth in the oil industry, Stavanger is also one of Europe's fastest growing ports of call for cruise ships north of the Mediterranean.
Overcoming challenges
The old Norwegian saying quoted above inspired my speech at that meeting because Gozo shares many of the daily geographical realities faced by the peripheral and maritime territories that form part of the CPMR. As policy-makers, our common objectives must be directed towards the mitigation of negative effects - ranging from remoteness and isolation to smaller markets, higher costs and fragile ecosystems.
However, apart from these challenges, there are also countless opportunities. Suffice it to say that our territories are often at the forefront when it comes to renewable energy, sustainable coastal and maritime activities and climate change adaptation. Transforming challenges into opportunities requires strong cooperation and exchange of information regarding best practices and policies.
Insularity and peripherality are complex phenomena requiring integrated territorial strategies that empower local and regional governments and give citizens a sense of ownership through active citizenship. In this regard, policy areas such as cohesion, accessibility, the EU single market and sustainable development (which incorporates economic, social, cultural and environmental considerations), provide us with tools to address our challenges while simultaneously tapping into our territories' potential.
I was therefore greatly satisfied to note that these policy areas are all, in one way or another, part of - or entwined in - the CPMR work programme in general. During the conference I shared my belief that peripheric and maritime regions have a joint responsibility to actively participate in the shaping and implementation of EU policies that improve the quality of life and create equal opportunities for all, no matter whether they live in the centre or on the periphery of Europe. Here, I seized the opportunity to emphasise the need to combat social exclusion in all its forms.
A cohesive society
As my previous experience as Parliamentary Secretary for the Rights of People with Disability and Active Ageing has taught me, a healthy, cohesive society is one where nobody is left behind. Policies that encourage active ageing and the participation of people with disabilities in the labour market ensure that everyone is treated with dignity and is valued as a contributor - and not a burden - to society as active participants in all areas of life and not as mere recipients of help.
I consider this approach - which aims to build a more inclusive and fairer Union - to be fully in line with the spirit of the Treaty of Rome, the 60th anniversary of which we have celebrated this year. This is also the way in which we can hope to rebuild the confidence in the European Project that many citizens seem to have lost. This was the main message underlying the Maltese Presidency of the EU Council - an EU closer to its citizens and addressing the needs and aspiration of our people.
Within the framework of the Future of Europe reflection that the European Commission initiated earlier this year, discussions on the future of the post-2020 Cohesion Policy assume vital importance, particularly in the light of Brexit negotiations. The Cohesion Policy has so far been the EU's main investment instrument to counter social, economic and territorial disparities across the EU. It is therefore essential that, Post 2020, the Cohesion Policy continues to support investment that addresses the local needs of regions while the underlying values of solidarity and cooperation remain uncompromised.
During its Presidency of the EU Council, Malta - the smallest country in the EU and including the dynamic Gozitan community - has had ample opportunity to show its great potential: resilient to challenges and changes and tirelessly striving to improve the quality of life of its people. It is at such meetings that we come together as policy-makers and stakeholders to share our achievements and work towards our common goals.
Gozo's resilience
Together with the challenges tackled at the Stavanger meeting, Gozo is also bracing itself to face the double insularity problems, particularly those related to industrial development. Most of the new Labour Government's proposals are precisely intended to address these issues with a view to providing a better economic and infrastructural environment that supports the creation of jobs for Gozitan workers in Gozo. I truly believe that this is the way forward to support the island's potential and demonstrate the resilience of its people.
As already indicated, my very first moves in my new role as Minister for Gozo were actually to take stock of the situation through various meetings with stakeholders and visits to established business and industrial entities.
Investing in innovation has shown that this helps Gozo tackle its endemic challenges. The investment, such as that undertaken by Magro Brothers, aims at developing gastronomic tourism and is considered as a first in Malta in that it helps Gozitan farmers to remain competitive. The efforts by Gozitan entrepreneurs over the years to promote innovation in Gozo are indeed most commendable. Traditional sectors should further modernise their practices to be able to adapt to current needs. Such projects can actually combine the promotion of traditional Gozitan produce with a tourism boost for the island, at the same time supporting farmers and villagers to remain competitive in a sustainable way.
Local and international culture
While socio-economic efforts are an ongoing process, we are fully aware that man does not live on bread alone. The cultural heritage of Gozo is such that it is not only inspiring to its people and attractive to thousands of visitors, but it can also be magnetic to international artists to exhibit their creative talents in our own historic venues. The Gozo Ministry works for - and supports - such initiatives, hand-in-hand with various local and national cultural entities, especially the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage. Such events enrich our cultural calendar and the coming months will be full of such occasions. In the coming weeks, for example, we will be hosting a very particular exhibition by photographic artist Anna Marceddu at the Cittadella.
It will, indeed, be an honour for us to present Ms Marceddu's work within the magnificently restored walls of our historic Cittadella. Hosting her photographic exhibition is yet another step in attracting to Gozo renowned artists who blend so professionally with our own culture of creativity and talent. This is a propitious event by a talented woman with an intriguing background of international work experiences.
The festa season
Another popular aspect of Gozo's cultural calendar is the festa season - with numerous liturgical and cultural festivities in the many villages of Gozo. They are not only an annual opportunity to exhibit local artistic and musical talents, but also provide special moments for celebrating the strong social ties of community life. I have always done my very best to attend such events to show my fullest support for the year-long efforts on the part of hundreds of volunteers in every village.
Today, we celebrate the Feast of St John the Baptist in my native Xewkija, with its Prekursur Band celebrating its 88th anniversary. And on Thursday, Nadur will celebrate the traditional Feast of St Peter and St Paul. I wish all families in both villages an enjoyable feast in the best spirit of solidarity within the whole Gozitan community.