Having diligently prepared myself, over the last few weeks, ever since I became aware of my selection for the Convention of Overseas Maltese 2010, my thoughts and emotions have suddenly been overcome by a deep sense of responsibility.

Given the choice of Maltese or English as my language medium of delivery, of course I opted for Maltese. My presentation will be accompanied by my own English translation for those unfamiliar with my native vernacular.

Contrary to what seems to be the popular impression, basing my judgement upon comments expressed on recent Radio SBS Maltese language programmes, as an individual and independent delegate, I will be presenting the private views of an activist, writer, critic and thinker, of very long standing in the Maltese community of Australia. My solid background in the Arts (literature, language, music, singing) in the Maltese and Maltese-Australian world is well known and acknowledged.

My task, as I see it, will be to put forward, in as erudite a manner as humanly possible for general discussion, my carefully researched and academically acquired views of the profoundly imposing topic of “education” from the point of view of a Maltese living abroad who has freely and willingly opted to adhere to certain Maltese values and traditions.

I do not see myself as a lobbyist on behalf of an Australian-Maltese cause, not having ever been popularly elected by some universal suffrage.

I visualise this gathering as an admirable convergence of a significant sample of Maltese from abroad, coming together to share their experiences and to put forward their views with the ultimate aim of consolidating an idealistic movement of International Maltese.

However vaguely this concept is expressed here, might I conclude that such a notion has been in the pipeline for several decades, emanating from several groups and individuals from around the globe, not least from our own intellectual expatriate himself, the Franco-Maltese poet novelist, Laurent Ropà.

As a point of departure, the time is well nigh for us all to look to such idealists by nominating Laurent Ropà as our future guiding light.

Roderick Bovingdon