As policy makers, politicians cannot be happier than when decisions taken reach their purpose among those they were meant for in the local scene. That satisfaction becomes even more overwhelming when those same decisions are acknowledged and lauded by international authorities. 

Duty travel for official ministerial engagements is always an opportunity to further discern and measure my government’s overall performance and particularly in the fields for which I am responsible. It always becomes more obvious that the challenges we face and the targets we strive to reach are basically common to all other countries that are much bigger than our tiny geographical size. 

Whether it is a formal international conference, a special study forum or an event meant for contact building, such events provide an important platform to evaluate better our performance, as measured by international standards. Participation in such fora also helps in information sharing, besides acquiring innovative ideas from other countries’ experiences on different issues.  Time and again, I experience the pride of representing a government that is delivering to high levels in the disability and the elderly sectors. 

 

Tackling dementia within the EU

On Mothers’ Day, a week ago, I travelled to Amsterdam to attend the two-day Conference ‘Living Well With(out) Dementia’, at the invitation of the current Dutch Presidency of the EU. Needless to say, dementia has fast become such a challenge that deserves worldwide attention and action, and the current EU Presidency placed it on top of their agenda. The conference in Amsterdam showcased the added value of international cooperation in research and best practices for care and social innovation.

Together with my counterparts from other EU member states, I had the opportunity to look deeper into a matter that concerns millions across the continent and come up with identifying five priorities:  the innovative and global finance models, integrated drug development, open science collaborative global research, adequate care for dementia patients and their families, and the identification and dissemination of risk reduction strategies. 

Undoubtedly, research in dementia has by now become a major priority for the EU, with over €580 million being spent on around 290 research programmes on dementia. The international community acknowledges the striking fact that numbers of patients are constantly on the rise and will approximately double every 20 years.

 

Malta as a role model on dementia

As Parliamentary Secretary for the Rights of Persons with Disability and Active Ageing, I had bilateral talks with Martin van Rijn, the hosting country’s Secretary for Health, Welfare and Sport, and with John F Ryan, Acting Director at the European Commission’s Directorate on Public Health. Besides exposing Malta’s own performance in the dementia areas, our talks centred also about having dementia on the agenda throughout Malta’s EU Presidency during 2017.

With Dr Yves Joanette, Chairperson of the World Dementia Council, I discussed at length our own National Strategy which had been launched only a year ago. It was a good opportunity for me to present our current project of a dementia-friendly community when adopting the San Lawrenz village as a model for building a whole locality that becomes dementia-friendly through logistic, educational and community programmes. Dr Joanette was highly impressed with our pilot project and requested us to share our experience with the other countries at a global level. He also invited us to become an active part of the World Council. 

It was obvious that our incessant work in this area is gaining recognition at international levels.  Malta’s government was also praised for being a major promoter of a ministerial meeting during the World Health Organisation’s annual general session, due to be held in Geneva later this month. 

 

Malta’s largest workforce

Back home, my schedule was packed with various events, which besides the usual parliament sittings, included a very fruitful seminar for officials and employees within the Department of Social Security – the government’s largest public entity in the field of social solidarity. At my own suggestion some time back, the seminar was held for the first time in Gozo, thus providing Gozitan officials a better opportunity to air their hands-on experiences.

In my introductory remarks, I highlighted the importance of integrity and caring attitudes that are to be constant in all our dealings with thousands of persons who approach us on various issues.  Reiterating the importance of following scrupulously legal provisions, besides following the cold word of the law, one also needs to come up with a humane attitude in dealing with applicants for social benefits. 

It is a pride to know that most of our people in this vast department are very conscientious persons. Within the social solidarity sector however, public servants – more than others in the public service – need to possess the value added skills to meet people’s anxieties and expectations.  Besides the good knowledge of the law and the applicable schemes, one needs to be fully aware of the various circumstances that lead people to approach the department with the hope of resolving their particular issues.  The key-notion that inspires people when requesting state assistance is their rights rather than needs.

 

Sixty years of solidarity

The seminar also marked sixty years since the social solidarity department was set up, albeit under different names. Being part of the Labour Government, the occasion gave me pride to note that sixty years ago Labour had its pioneers in the forefront of introducing the State’s social solidarity programmes. Our political history proves that the basic idea of social justice six decades ago was not promptly accepted by all, not even by those who have over the years, not only endorsed it, but expect to be considered as its stalwarts.

 

Nevertheless, historical facts being what they are, the whole nation prides itself today of having the best welfare system which stands out when compared to whatever country around the globe.  The pioneering spirit has matured and progressed over the years, with the input of different administrations. It has always been my belief that, once it is a good thing, no matter the initial opposing tactics, good will enlighten many and eventually flourish.     

Here again, I stress the concept that we now speak of as rights, rather than the obsolete notion of being merciful. It is in fact the inspiring philosophy and fundamental attitude on which this Government bases all its efforts in the process of building a fair society.  I strongly believe that the vast majority within the public service fully endorse this concept and cooperate along its execution for the nation’s well-being.

 

Working with Arka foundation

The government conveys its services through the public service, but also recognises the valuable efforts of various NGOs in various fields. Entities like the Arka Foundation have always inspired me in my work as Parliamentary Secretary and particularly in all my planning and executing policies within the disability and elderly sectors.

It has been a constant for me that induction and refresher training courses are a major contribution within the Active Ageing sector, particularly in a fast-evolving digital scenario. Launching the second EM Citizen course last Friday, I emphasised the importance of Digital Lifestyles and skills for the elderly. With the support of Arka, the course will be made up of six lectures as a community training project aimed towards elderly, teaching them digital lifestyles.  

This is in line with our ongoing project of turning day-centres into learning hubs, inducing active ageing by keeping abreast with the latest technological facilities. Supporting NGOs like Arka Foundation in these tasks proves to be a successful formula in my Secretariat’s endeavours to effectively promote and encourage the right for a quality life to all persons within the elderly and disability sectors.