After nine long years of relative inaction, at least at heads of government level, this week’s 5+5 Western Mediterranean Forum has set a number of balls rolling. And many of those who have been somewhat lukewarm, labelling it just another talking shop, are in a sense quite right in that the forum is one of dialogue.
After all, the 5+5 was set up to promote dialogue between the two blocs it is comprised of and, if the momentum achieved in Malta is kept up, it could lead to far better regional cooperation on security, migration, social and economic development.
It is also an important channel of dialogue between people of different cultures and ideologies, but who nevertheless share the same region and, after all, are also trading partners.
Yesterday’s joint declaration by the 10 countries concerned - Mauritania, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya from the Mediterranean’s southern rim and Portugal, Spain, France, Italy and Malta from the northern rim – made a strong call for transition in war-torn Syria. The Malta Declaration, as it has been appropriately coined, states that the current situation can no longer be tolerated and condemned the slaughter in the country.
On the migration front, an issue that concerns virtually all countries bordering the Mediterranean, the Tunisian President yesterday floated the concept of creating a task force on rescuing migrants composed of joint military and civilian assets. The pitch of the concept will be followed up by technical meetings between the countries, but a foundation for resolving a very thorny Mediterranean problem has been laid.
And surprisingly, the forum did not shy away from the even thornier Middle East dilemma, and called for progress on the Palestine-Israel bitter polemic based on a two-state solution.
Malta’s hosting of the next 5+5 has served as more than a mere feather in the country’s camp. In the wake of the monumental changes that have taken place during and after the Arab Spring, October’s summit could very well provide for a new spring board to launch a new type of Mediterranean partnership and socio-economic synergies between its countries.
The event will help Malta take more of a central position in Mediterranean affairs, where it belongs in so many senses as a cultural bridge between the EU and the Maghreb. Yes, Malta is an EU member but that does not mean it is disconnected from the region in which it is located and trades. Better regional synergies are indeed needed if the Maghreb is to well and truly get back on its feet, and if the EU, Malta included, is to be a partner in this process.
Malta has a calling in this new scenario and it must live up to its reputation as a cultural bridge between these two very different worlds, which share some very similar problems. By bringing these worlds together as it has done over these past two days, Malta is playing a very important part in the development of its region, and it should do its utmost to continue to do so.
Kids under their own microscope
The country’s first comprehensive study on how Maltese youths perceive themselves has shown that, more or less and on the whole, the kids are alright, and that they also show a healthy scepticism when it comes to politics.
Maltese youths are for the most part happy, healthy and well educated, respectful tolerant and optimistic about their future. The national study is the first of its kind that goes not into youths’ health or opinions on any variety of issues but, rather, asks them what they think of themselves, their places in society and their futures – elements of the youth mindset that all of us, and not just politicians and policy makers, need to pay more attention to.
And in general those polled are well behaved, law abiding and have strong relationships with their parents and siblings. Most live at home, have computers or laptops, mobile phones and internet access and spend half of their spending power goes on recreation, shopping and travelling.
Physically, youths see themselves as generally healthy and fit but a significant minority are lacking in physical exercise and stress appears to be common. But more than a little worryingly, the study showed a lack of interest in setting up a business or in entrepreneurship, while a substantial minority of youths did not read on a daily basis and not reading newspapers at all.
From the results there appears to be a problem at large with motivation, given the high numbers of those who are lacking in physical exercise, a will to better their lot in life through entrepreneurship and the will or means to fly the family nest and go it on their own.
And with the next general elections fast approaching, much talk will centre on youths and the future, but it is doubtful that they will even be listening and if they are listening, it is even more doubtful that they will believe anything they are hearing over the campaign – youths surveyed had the smallest amount of trust in the political class and in political institutions.
Youths’ lack of trust in the country’s political structures and politicians is not, however, a bad thing. In fact it is positive and is exactly the kind of healthy scepticism that we should expect from the younger generations, as long as that distrust stems not from pure apathy.
But with a general election on the near horizon, political parties may have a harder time than they had bargained for in winning over youths’ trust, and their votes.