The world today celebrates International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; commemorating the Sharpville Massacre. On this day in 1960, police opened fire on demonstrators protesting against racial discrimination, killing 69 people.  South Africa today celebrates a public holiday in honour of human rights.

To mark this day, Education and Employment Minister Evarist Bartolo, together with Minister for Social Dialogue, Consumer Affairs and Civil Liberties Helena Dalli addressed a press conference on civil right issues at the primary school in Mosta.

Mr Bartolo claimed that children embrace diversity and are not racists as such; it is rather, the prejudices of adults that might influence them. Mr Bartolo stated that while it is important for politicians to ensure anti-discriminatory policies, educating our society is the key factor for allowing for more inclusivity.  The minister said that while the government is committed to promote multi-culturalism, the public needs to cooperate by changing its mentality on certain issues. “Learning to live in a diversified society is vital for every individual today,” he said.  While acknowledging the fact that the situation has registered improvement over the last years, Mr Bartolo said there is much more to be done.

Dr Dalli stated that anti-discrimination education needs to be induced at a very early age, allowing children to engage in multi-cultural community.  The government will broaden the remit of the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality; which will now form part of the National Commission for Human Rights.

Over a 100 nationalities reside in Malta, and schools today enroll students from 35 different countries.