The result of the European Parliament elections was a categorical expression of trust in the present administration and a confirmation that we really are addressing the needs and aspirations of the people and the country.
However, to be really deserving of this overwhelming trust, we must deliver more than ever and this was the general feeling both during our parliamentary group and Cabinet meetings re- spectively. This result therefore gave us the boost and energy to give two hundred per cent in our endeavours. During this last week we have persisted with our programme and electoral pledges. Our main activity was related to older people living in residen- tial care homes and the quality of life and level of care they in those homes. That is why the Parliamentary Secretariat for the Rights of People with Dis- ability and Active Ageing has launched a Charter of Rights and Obligations for residents of care homes for the elderly. This charter consists of 20 rights that enhance the right of residents to dignity, liberty and security. However, rights come with obligations, and these obliga- tions include respect for other residents and their needs and also for the care providers in these homes. Mr Justice Emeri- tus Dr Philip Sciberras chaired the drafting committee of this charter which focused on the needs of the older people en- trusted to our care. I admit I was overwhelmed by the huge attendance for the launch of
this charter and also for the in- terest shown in it from all parts of the social spectrum. In fact, the launch was held in the the- atre at St Vincent de Paul and I was pleased to notice that the managers of other residences for the elderly were also pres- ent, auguring full respect for and adherence to this charter. Another particular highlight of this week was Jum Sports Ghall-Anzjani (Sports Day for the Elderly) which was a sports day for older people attending various day centres around the country. Honestly, I was very surprised. I am used to attend- ing my children’s sports days but this was one of a kind: older people from all over Malta joining together in sports activities and dancing and cele- brating life with such joy and fervour – and to such an extent – that I was literally carried away by the crowd and joined in the merriment. In my address, I said that this activity was an encouraging and genuine example of the concept of ‘active ageing’. This is the type of active ageing we talk about and that, as a secre- tariat, we promote. This is what we want: to let the elderly inte- grate more in our community by organising such events on a regular basis. This was also the concept be- hind the setting up of the Ac- tive Ageing Unit at St Vincent
de Paul Residence so that we keep the older people in our so- ciety – even if they are in care homes – as active as possible for their general well-being. But, to go back to the sports day, it really was fun with some 600 older people partici- pating and enjoying them- selves. Even the schoolchildren present really enjoyed it, mak- ing remarks such as: “Ara n- Nanna”. It was a completely positive inter-generational ex- perience. It also reminded me of a small event we organised for the Eu- ropean Day for Solidarity be-
tween Generations this month that was held in Gozo, where a group of older people from Xewkija visited the local pri- mary school and spent the morning in the classrooms with the children. This example of different generations exchang- ing experiences and learning from each other really did go to show that each and every gen- eration has its own contribution to make and we all have abili- ties to use for the benefit of so- ciety. We cannot afford to let generations give up on life and make no contribution to the community. With regard to the disability sector, after the successful event entitled This Ability we met with Parliamentary Secre- tary for Sports Youth and Inno- vation Chris Agius and several other sports and disability NGOs. At this meeting we dis- cussed the way forward to fur- ther promote sports for people with disability. It is a cliché to say that sport and physical ac- tivity are important and benefi- cial, but for those with a disability, access to sport is very limited, for various rea- sons. Both Mr Agius and I con- gratulated those present, which included representatives of the Special Olympics who also or- ganised a grand awareness- raising event in Valletta yesterday which was also a great success.
Dr Caruana is Parliamentary Secretary for the Rights of People with Disability and Active Aging