Malta is a small archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. For thousands of years, we have had a distinct cultural identity and love it or hate it, the fact of the matter is that we are probably one of the most distinct peoples in Europe.

We are a true melting pot of Arab and Siculo origins, shaped by trade, the chivalry of the knights and Imperial Britain. Yet, we remain fundamentally Maltese – a distinct people that can be recognised almost immediately. The government is currently working on strengthening ties between Maltese emigrants who migrated and settled with families and has also proposed the setting up of an agency for Maltese people living abroad. This is a positive move, but the umbrella is far too wide.

The first distinction that needs to be made is what we actually mean by Maltese living abroad. There is a huge difference between Maltese who have gone to London or Brussels for a learning curve, and those who have for two and three generations lived in Australia, or Canada.

And this brings us to another argument. While some Maltese who resettled in far away lands clung to their roots, others have become assimilated by the local population. The UK, Australia and Canada are prime examples. While the grandfathers and grandmothers still dream of far off Malta, and still eat their kawlata and light a candle near the customary statue of Our Lady in the entrata, their grandchildren are a completely different kettle of fish.

If one were to ask 18 to 21 year olds of Maltese descent whether they consider themselves Maltese, they will probably say “No mate, I’m from the East end”. The point of the last sentence was to illustrate that this younger generation not only sees itself as British (or Aussie, or Canadian), but British from their own local patch.

Of course, one cannot be generic. There are young people of Maltese descent out there who want to be in touch with Malta and want to learn the language. But by and large, we must recognise that these youths are not the same as the young people that steamed out of the Grand Harbour. The youngsters that left Malta did so in search of a better life and more opportunities. Others left because of the political climate and others were simply packed off with no questions asked. They did not leave Malta because they actually wanted to, it was out of necessity, so no wonder they held all traditions dear. But those who have been born into the family a generation or two later will not feel Maltese. Just because grandma or nan speaks that funny language and makes us say a prayer before dinner, it does not make me Maltese – this is one of the most common attitudes to be found among the children of migrants. Above all, they want to be accepted as a native of the country in which they were born. It is the same for the Italians, the Greeks, the Spanish and all others who have been born into pastures new. It is positive that we keep in touch with these new generations and yes, we should offer them citizenship of Malta. We should also give them every possible opportunity to learn about their ‘original’ country – but it should never be forced down someone’s neck. Just try and give an 18-year-old from Liverpool with the surname Borg (like Bjorn) a lecture on Malta – he’s more likely interested in the next derby and how to avoid the gangs from Croxteth or the next Merseyside derby’s outcome.