The right to the pursuit of happiness is intrinsically very American, but like the American dream, we should have a European Dream. “The right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” is one of the most famous principles in the United States Declaration of Independence. And we are no children of a lesser god, and yes, of course we, as European citizens, should also have the right to pursue happiness.

There must be the right to the pursuit of happiness. To attain a better future for children, young people, men, women, people with different abilities, pensioners and the elderly, we should be empowered to seek better lives than we are living today, and why not?, with an insight for a new horizon, with an environment better than it is today, a better quality of life with happiness acquired through culture, arts and innovation.

It is hard to say and hard to swallow, but it is very true that a new tier of families is emerging; that of socially excluded and deprived families. When talking about inflation and the cost of living, there will be those who label you as the old guard, grumbling and moaning. Yes, fine, but what about the future? With the international situation being what it is, with the rising cost of electricity and water bills, food prices on the increase, it is not something out of this world to surmise that people are being deprived of certain basic needs. And yes, you can cut down on wants, but one cannot say the same for needs.

There is a difference between a need and a want. I do not want to sound like a text book’s reading material. But we have to make a difference between basic wants and needs. Today, is the internet a need or a want? Is a school uniform a need or a want? What about stationery and books for students? Are these needs or wants?

The mother and father who are looking forward to sending their children back to school wonder whether they will be depriving their daughter or son of what they are demanding out of need? Or should they just let go? But what about the situation when they couldn’t afford it? Will their children be excluded by their peers because they are not the norm?

Take the elderly, pensioners for instance. They have striven so hard during their lifetime to live a healthy life after the age of 61. Yet, now, they find themselves having to buy medicines which they cannot really afford. This is a need they cannot do without. So instead of enjoying the deserved rest during their final phase of life, they find themselves striving hard to afford a healthy living in a country where our social safety net is considered to be the best in Europe. This is a country where in the 1970s and the 1980s, the ‘pursuit of happiness’ was taken for granted.

The right to the pursuit of happiness should be part of our language. All politicians must and should speak our language. Europe must speak our language, because this is what people are talking about. The French Presidency at European Union level is focusing on the stimulation of growth and employment, on the future of Europe, the international scene and the protection of citizens. Let us hope for the best, because so far we have citizens who are without the support of their families, being socially deprived and excluded. The future is in our hands. Let us strive to maintain what we have and look forward for a brighter and better future. Let us strive for the right to the pursuit of happiness.

This is my dream and I appeal to you to make it your own dream too.



Claudette Abela Baldacchino

is a Member of the Committee

of the Regions

claudette.baldacchino@gmail.com