Since Vote 16, there has been sporadic discussion about introducing civic education. It is no use empowering younger people to vote if they do not understand the basics of the democratic landscape. At the moment, all we have to fill in the blanks in their knowledge is the Intermediate subject at Sixth Form level which is called 'Systems of Knowledge', but only touches on the level of detail necessary.
I would go so far as to say that most young people in our country today have very little idea of how our democracy works or what it is all about, with or without the right to vote. This is not to dismiss all 16-year-olds, as there are even younger activists in Partit Demokratiku who have proved themselves far wiser, far more informed and far more capable than most of those who are three-times their age. The point is that our country would be better served if most young people their age had the same drive to improve their community and participate in the democratic process, and they are not going to possess any of that unless something is done about it.
Partit Demokratiku's youth event some months ago regarding political renewal in Europe hosted many youth organisations, including the Kunsill Nazzjonali taż-Żgħażagħ. Among the important points raised was that although Malta has a high voter turnout, there is not sufficient engagement in youth organisations by young people. It is no use turning out for a mass meeting and voting at every subsequent general election, but ignoring the democratic process in-between. In addition, young people are discouraged from participating in political discourse because of the potential professional consequences of being labelled as loyal to one party or another.
Partit Demokratiku, however, is already trying to fight the culture of tribalism and clientelism that punishes people for merely having an opinion but that leaves us with the problem of how to deal with a lack of civic education. While youth organisations already agree that this is a necessity, in the wake of Vote 16, we have seen little in terms of concrete proposals.
I think something Malta desperately needs is to encourage a much broader participation in civil society and volunteering work, and not just for the young. One way to do this would be a national programme, much like Germany had until not so long ago, whereby young people carry out military service or compulsory volunteer work.
Through such a programme, in which you serve your community, certain values are transmitted, as well as an understanding not only of your rights as a citizen, but also your responsibilities. There is nothing quite like practical experience to inform and educate, especially when it comes to civic education. Such a programme would also mean that a student's already crowded syllabus is not further burdened with an additional subject. Instead, students could be guided into a one-off summer programme, after completing compulsory education, where they can spend a few weeks or months contributing towards the good of Malta and Gozo. In this recess after compulsory education, they will not have to worry about any further ongoing studies or work. Once the programme of civil service is completed, they can then ease into work or into further education without distraction.
During my time at university in Scotland, I chose to spend a year in the British Military as a University Officer Cadet, which certainly helped me appreciate certain basics that have since served me well. On my return to Malta I attempted to become a part-timer in our own armed forces which, in any case, currently only requires attendance once a month. I was only excluded from doing so because no politicians may participate. However, my experience allows me to advocate this approach outlined above.
I am, however, under no delusions that the proposal for Citizen Service would be immediately attractive to our national culture, which has never experienced conscription before. Therefore, it would probably need to be a purely voluntary programme, with a carrot on a stick approach rather than a compulsory one.
I also believe that such a national programme would be very useful in terms of integrating migrants. In other countries we see, via the examples of France and the United States, that a proud civic culture is able to defuse cultural tensions via an appreciation of the State and citizenship as a unifying factor.
In Malta, the State and the ruling political party are unfortunately one and the same, and this is another thing Partit Demokratiku strives to fix by separating them. For now, I would endorse a national volunteer programme, whereby students and young people in general can participate in NGOs, clean-ups, the military or whatever organisation can take them in and instil in them a sense of civic responsibility and pride.
Imagine our rubble walls being rebuilt by an army of young volunteers! With such a programme, we will foster a generation that looks out for the best interests of the country, rather than any political party, family or business lobby.