President of Malta Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca delivered the opening speech at the beginning of a multi-disciplinary conference entitled ‘Breaking Barriers: Research, Practice and Collaboration’.

The President said that academics, researchers and students have many a time been known to challenge and transform the most deeply-held beliefs and rigid mentalities of our societies by breaking down barriers through the discovery of new perspectives, and implementing effective strategies for active citizenship.

The President spoke of the latest indicators from Eurostat which show that only 12% of the adult population in the European Union said that they felt engaged in processes of active citizenship. This means that the vast majority of Europeans do not feel that they can engage in the democratic process of their respective countries in a meaningful way.

President Coleiro Preca said that for this reason, critical thinking, fostered through an education system that breaks barriers and that develops innovative approaches and connections, is essential to nurture deeper levels of understanding, participation, and solidarity.

“Critical thinking is a fundamental value for us to strengthen a more substantial democratic way of life”

President Coleiro Preca stated that by thinking critically, “beyond the barriers imposed by the status quo”, academics, researchers, and students have the opportunity to explore ideas “whilst also questioning underlying assumptions”.

“Our democracies require reflective citizens who possess the skills and the abilities to think critically and to apply their knowledge in practical ways”, continued President Coleiro Preca.

“This moment in history is a defining time for our democracies”

The President called for those present to be bold in the face of rising extremism and populist rhetoric, stating that, “it is up to us to respond to these threats through education, knowledge, and the acquisition of wisdom, to be the critical thinkers, the effective collaborators, and the informed citizens which are so much needed in this uncertain world of ours”.

To be effective, President Coleiro Preca stated her belief that we must be capable of actively engaging with our political and social institutions to create the necessary positive change.

“In this way, we shall truly be breaking barriers, to nurture a spirit of social justice and solidarity, for the benefit of all our communities and societies”, the President concluded.