Delivering on time - and as budgeted - on our promises is the highest example of our commitment to serve the nation and Labour's electoral manifesto keeps us regularly on check whilst carrying our duties and planning ahead.

It is indeed most satisfying to be part of Labour's Cabinet at such an exciting period in our country's political history, brimming with economic and social successes. Being part of Joseph Muscat's hard-working team has been an honour every day since I was elected and entrusted with the remit of caring for the most vulnerable in both islands.

National includes Gozo

Whatever the amount of planning and budgeting it takes, together with my dedicated team my Parliamentary Secretariat has been committed to ensuring that all our initiatives in the sectors of the elderly and those with a disability address the needs and expectations of these people across both islands. Our aims have always been based on full rights and human dignity in a society that must grow in order to be fair to everyone.

Outreach is, and always will be, the key factor in all our projects, over and above the dutiful provision of services on a national level: it is precisely what equality and empowerment amount to.

The basic, centuries-old concept of 'no taxation without representation' must be necessarily followed by representing and serving all our citizens, including those who do not deserve to be taxed but yet are entitled to support. This is fundamental in a healthy democracy that recognises social justice as its major inspiration. It is not a supposition or a mere concession but, indeed, a basic and logical sequence.

The laborious groundwork we have been carrying out in preparation for Malta's presidency of the EU Council has fully endorsed and sustained that line of action. Together with other major ambitions, social inclusion has and will certainly be an important target throughout the first six months of 2017 and beyond. 

It was clearly highlighted during the historic parliamentary sitting we had last Wednesday with EP President Schultz and leaders of the various political groups. Within that defined framework, I can actually place the very essence of all the initiatives taken in the social solidarity scenario, particularly those intended for Maltese and Gozitans within the elderly and disability sectors. They are the all-inclusive remit I have been given and to which I am fully committed to implement across both islands.

International Disability Week

The past days have once more been full with such events, particularly those related to the international Week for People with Disability. The highlight of them all has been the encouraging turnout of those in this sector of our society at such activities, proving how appropriate and beneficial our initiatives are. To my mind, launchings and openings are never an end to themselves but rather a long-lasting road to establishing the rights and remedies that they deserve. My team of collaborators ensure that launches are closely followed by enhancing each service through constant monitoring of their implementation. 

The third holding of the annual Soċjetà Ġusta award recognised an impressive list of people who deserve the country's appreciation. The function itself was an actual celebration of abilities - specifically held at one of the country's most elite establishments. The well-attended ceremony was hosted by TV personality Melanie Magri and Special Olympics athlete Gilmour Borg.

Rita Vella, and her recently deceased husband Kevin, were named winners of the 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award, Siggiewi Basketball School won the Advocacy and Rights Award and Matthew Giordmaina was presented with the Disability Action and Activism Award. Special mention goes to Gozo's first ever Special Olympics athlete Maria Pia Saliba, who received this year's Award for Effort - the highest recognition the nation can give to such a promising young woman. Police Inspector Fabian Fleri and Maria Zammit were also given a special mention.

Another home for people with disability in Gozo

What a satisfaction it was for me to open the Dar il-Ġublew tal-Ħniena community home for those with disabilities. It is the second such home in Gozo and the fourth out of 10 planned for this legislature across both islands. The new home is a joint effort by the Church in Gozo and Parliamentary Secretariat I lead, with an investment of around €350,000 for all services provided through Aġenzija Sapport.

A long-time dream of Mgr Manwel Curmi, the original heart of Arka Foundation, the new home will accommodate five people with disabilities and conforms to the recently-established standards for such residences. This is another ambitious project in partnership with the Church, on the same lines of Dar Shalom in Żurrieq with Dar tal-Providenza. The new Għajnsielem home will further improve the quality of life for these people and their families.

Inclusivity in growing together

Under my lead, the Parliamentary Secretariat has already been addressing the intergenerational gap in the elderly sector and is further enhancing programmes within the disability scenario. Nikbru Flimkien (let's grow together) is our latest initiative through the Commission for Rights of People with Disability (Gozo branch) to bring the disability sector closer to the rest of the community. Starting with young students in a hands-on exercise is intended to create further awareness and acceptance of diversity among current and future generations.

We plan to expose all schoolchildren to this reality with a view to exploring how apparent disabilities of whatever nature can actually lead to individual abilities and opportunities. The keen interest shown by about 150 students during our first such activity last week encourages me to expand the programme to a national level.   

Esplora's robot comes to Gozo  

'Outreach' actually entails bringing benefits and services closer to those they are intended to reach. This aptly describes the first activity last week of Esplora's science outreach experience in Gozo. Zed the robot was brought over exclusively by the Parliamentary Secretariat for the Rights of People with Disability and Active Ageing in collaboration with the Malta Council for Science and Technology, headed by Dr Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando.

The programme is part of a very recent Memorandum of Understanding between our two entities aimed at giving people with disability and the elderly the opportunity to benefit from this excellent and unique experience. Making such opportunities accessible to everyone, including those in Gozo - whatever their age or abilities - is an aim to which I am totally committed. An enthusiastic group of students from Gozo's schools and training centres for children with disability participated in this first activity of its kind, once again bringing a national experience closer to home. It is yet further proof that science and technology are tangible avenues for social inclusion.

An honour means further commitment

It was indeed an unexpected surprise for me this week to have been appointed by the Women in Parliament's Global Forum (WIP) to serve as a WIP Ambassador for my country's highest institution. I honestly feel humbled by this high honour and dedicate it to all those who have inspired me throughout my 13 years in Parliament and to all those who I am committed to serve. I have always served to the best of my abilities, both locally and in several regional and international roles within the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean and the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians. Such appointments further encourage me to better perform my duties, even when representing my country, fully aware however of my original and immediate call of duty locally.

As MEP Miriam Dalli put it, the 'thumbs up' also to my colleague Helena Dalli, who has also been recognised for her work in gender equality and civil rights. It is indeed an honour to be part of such a hard-working team, which is repeatedly gathering international recognition and - most importantly - reaping the best results for all our fellow citizens in Malta and Gozo.