The deputy director of the Commonwealth Foundation, Rudo Chitiga, has urged Malta to take a stand on the provision of development aide to developing countries.
Ms Chitiga was speaking during a meeting with a group of Maltese journalists in London who met a number of people involved in the organisation of the forthcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, which is taking place in Malta in November.
Ms Chitiga asked whether Malta has decided to give development aide to countries which have not yet developed since Malta now falls under the category of developed countries. She said the CHOGM is the chance for Malta to take a stand on the issue and state whether it is going to give aide and if yes, how. Asked to elaborate on this aspect, Ms Chitiga said Malta has to respond to the needs of the world and thus has to choose the way it is going to help out.
Ms Chitiga and her director, Dr Mark Collins, gave the journalists information about the Commonwealth People’s Forum which is being held prior to the CHOGM and which is being organised by the foundation. The foundation is an umbrella organisation of several non-governmental organisations. In Dr Collins’ words, the foundation aims to achieve change by supporting the claims of NGOs rather than by direct action.
For this event, the organisers are expecting around 200 people who would, in turn, be representing thousands of members of various NGOs. Ms Chitiga took the opportunity to urge CHOGM organisers in Malta to ensure that the issue of visas is cleared out before the participants arrive in Malta. “We don’t want to be seen as potential refugees,” she said.
Another meeting held shortly after the journalists’ arrival in London was with Dr Mohnan Kaul, the director general and chief executive officer of the Commonwealth Business Council. This council is organising the Commonwealth Business Forum, which is also expected to be held before the actual CHOGM starts. Dr Kaul explained that this forum will bring together between 500 and 600 business people from all over the world who will be addressed by about 12 heads of government.
Dr Kaul said the aim of this forum is to market Malta as an ideal place where business can be done since it could be used as the link to Europe, the Mediterranean and North Africa. Malta has a unique position, he said.
Dr Kaul explained that the role of the Commonwealth Business Council is to facilitate trade and business between Commonwealth member states and also between these countries and other countries which are not part of the Commonwealth. He said the forum itself will promote practices and policies for the enhancement of global trade and investment and provides new opportunities for business networking and partnerships.
The trip was made possible thanks to Air Malta, which provided the flights, and the Strickland Foundation, which sponsored the accommodation.