The loosening of dual citizenship laws strengthens the Maltese national identity.

In the case of myself, although born in another island far away, that of Australia, and never setting foot onto Malta until my late teens, my everyday personal introduction incorporates my Australian and Maltese identity. After all, I was raised by a Maltese family in a Maltese household. However, upon receiving my new (official) Maltese nationality and in gaining my Maltese passport some two years ago this all-important part of my identity has strengthened. It was then only natural to explore, reassess and reinforce, for me, what is it to be Maltese.

This is no difficult process and a continual one that brings much joy and pride. The Maltese history is loaded with fine stories to caress distinct cultural points. Our ancestors fought to protect the island with gallantry and a code of honour in our battles; these ethics persist to this day in Maltese society. Like our ancestors we are resilient, maintaining an emphasis on hard work, education and humility while holding on tight to our traditional festivities, local foods and environments, yet highly adaptive to outside influence we perceive to benefit our way of life. As peoples from nations in much of the world speculate and disagree with each other over their national identity inhibiting effective state building and institutional capacity, we Maltese have no such problem.

In this process it was just as important to examine how Malta views the world, for it is true we now live in the new era of internationalisation and globalisation. And, like it or not, we have a new influential regional institution (the EU) which can be used to display our ideas and values to other nations.

Our international and regional relations also reflect our historical encounters. We remember, show loyalty and constantly seek to strengthen our alliances. However, we must take note of some of the excruciating circumstances some peoples of the world find themselves in; the widespread poverty in Africa and the loss of life in conflict in the Middle East are cases in point.

We must begin to ask why. This task again becomes an internal search. We must utilise the strong sense of identity to strengthen our political, economic and cultural institutions. This can be achieved by furthering our social democratic rights through a critical and free media and community organisations formed by a myriad of different religious, women’s or other groups.

My opinion is but one of the many different ideas and views on the domestic and international environment added by the Maltese Diaspora who now hold dual citizenship which will only seek to further discussion.

Finally, for myself, family is symbolic of everything Maltese. On this historical week for my family, for many meeting for the first time in our native Malta, coming from three different continents, it is a beautiful moment to see you all here. Although sometimes I may seem far away from you, remember that memories are forever, family is the foundation and mine was strong like a rock. I feel obliged to urge you also to gain an official Maltese identity in the form of a Maltese passport so you and your children and their children can explore and strengthen the Maltese national identity too.

Trent Baldacchino

Sydney – London – Zejtun