“No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main.” These are the first lines written by John Donne, a 17th-century poet, in his Devotions upon Emergent Occasions of 1624. The concept was further expanded over the years by Thomas Merton and other authors, song-writers and film-makers. What strikes me most, in my role as Parliamentary Secretary responsible for the elderly and disabled people, is a subsequent line that says: “because I am involved in mankind.” Human beings do not thrive when isolated from each other. They can hardly develop or succeed if they ignore the rest.
The real key to prosperity is the acceptance of each other’s uniqueness and everyone’s needs. It is not simply co-existence of the hurried live-and-let-live attitude: it should include the appreciation of each other’s rights and aspirations. In fact, cohesion and integration come from the homogeneity of individuals since people feel connected through similar ideas or work. Diversity in educational levels or lifestyles, and intellectual or physical abilities, should result in complementing individual needs with individual, collective and appropriate support. These concepts are the real constants throughout each phase of the many projects we plan and realise together with the many departments and entities that fall within my portfolio, hand-in-hand with all the stakeholders in each sector.
Solidarity all year round
They are, in fact, the very basis of solidarity – one particular word that we heard over and over again during the last few weeks of the year. They are – and should be – at the core of everything that has been organised during the festive season, primarily the national event that l-Istrina has become over the years. It is, in reality, a refuelling moment for the Malta Community Chest Fund, gathering national support for the never-ending work it carries out through the year for those among us who are vulnerable and deserve society’s support. People talk about ‘needs’ but, in the long run, needs turn out to become rights for those who – for whatever reason – cannot make it at the same pace of the rest of society.
Viewers may have been impressed by what they saw from the various spots and interviews, repeatedly relayed throughout the day. I meet and face all those instances – and deeper ones – all through the year in my work, rekindling in me an even greater determination to ensure the necessary response through various initiatives and structures. Both the disability sector and that of the elderly are frequently loaded with human experiences that spur us to find solutions rather than crying and being sympathetic. I will never accept pity as a first reaction; I strongly believe in the intrinsic meaning that forms the title of my position as part of the government – the Rights of People with Disabilities and Active Ageing.
Being Gozitan
Talking of being an island, it goes without saying that, as a Gozitan myself, I am constantly reminded of the “no man is an island” concept when participating in cabinet meetings and carrying out my duties – in Parliament, at the Ministry, or anywhere else. Fully aware – like everyone else – that all legislation and structures necessarily have to reach out to the national level, I seek to explore all possibilities of bringing everything that the nation provides closer to my compatriots.
For many decades, Gozitans had to make an extra effort to obtain anything to which they were entitled. In everything that falls within my remit, I try to alleviate such requirements by extending all possible structures and services to a more immediate local basis. In addition to more day centres and night shelters, as well as public-private partnerships with the Church or private sector to accommodate the elderly and provide respite services, we have moved ahead with new projects such as the dementia community project in San Lawrenz and the BeActive campaign in Kerċem, which will be now a permanent project for older people in Gozo. For those with disability, we have established – among other things – the life-long learning hub in Għajnsielem and the recently opened Gozo branch for the Special Olympics.
I believe that this is what solidarity means when it comes to government services, entwined and interlaced as they are with the admirable and hard work of non-government voluntary organisations. The sterling work done by volunteers is such a blessing to society in so many fields. I cherish the fact that a high percentage of people in the voluntary sector come from the elderly cohort, demonstrating not only their resilience and determination to remain active but also sharing their huge experience and knowledge.
The priceless voluntary sector
The invaluable experience of these organisations, together with their expert knowledge, is a basic requirement at the consultation stage of whatever project we plan. After all, solidarity is the unity of human sentiments, interests, objectives, standards and sympathies. In this way, we share values to build a society that binds people together as one community. Solidarity is also one of six principles of the EU and 20 December of each year is recognised and observed as ‘International Human Solidarity Day’.
It is frequently stated that no one can remain insensitive to the inequalities that persist in the world. In the sectors within my remit, it is imperative that we not only note inequalities but also strive to tackle them through ad hoc legislation and the establishment of schemes, procedures and standards to secure equal opportunities wherever they are expected. Labour’s electoral manifesto laid down the very essence of human solidarity, aspiring to build a fair society. It was fostered by the realisation and strengthening of the ties that bind us together in our common humanity and the various aspects of the human conditions and values.
Solidarity-in-progress
In our endeavours to achieve everything that is needed, we ensure that our front-liners in the various fields of services provided are fully trained and prepared, thus securing the high quality that the elderly and those with disabilities deserve. This is what I call ‘solidarity-in-progress’, which does not wait for the festive season to be in action. The vast majority of our staff, at all levels, and on a daily basis, act not out of pity but out of duty. They are the brave heart and the kind face of all that at my Parliamentary Secretariat plans to provide on behalf of the nation.
Primarily, solidarity has to be the order of the day: each of us must bear our own share of the general responsibility. Our teamwork ensures our success. The famous axiom “No man is an island” is what has driven all my team over the past years and I am sure it will be the guiding light for our performance throughout each day and night of the new year. These are my wishes for my collaborators and to the whole nation for 2016!