Youth is that time of life when important decisions need to be taken, decisions that can have a big impact for years to come, not just on the individual but also people close to them. Young people represent the future of our country but they also embrace the here and now, and it is this strong conviction that drives us to give them a central role to project their voice higher and higher. We believe in young people and we are putting our trust in them.
Young people are very energetic, vibrant, creative and brimming with new ideas. They want to change the world – for the better. Their strong sense of curiosity ensures they are always on the ball and constantly aware of what is going on around them, both locally and abroad, and this is strengthened by their familiarity with new technologies. Now we need to start empowering them and equip them with the necessary democratic tools to effect change. We are not afraid of giving young people more power because we fully trust their sharp sense of responsibility and informed judgement. At 16 years of age, the time is ripe to involve them more fully in the democratic process to be able to shape the course of things together with the rest of the population.
People are the most valuable resource this country possesses and we need to invest in people more forcefully. Young people are an integral part of our country’s population and they are an invaluable resource. We should not leave them to passively await their turn to get involved in the democratic process when they could do that now. The European Union acknowledged that there is nothing that hinders 16- and 17-year-olds from making informed decisions about their country’s and their own future, and it has given all its member states the green light to allow this important cohort to cast their vote come election time.
The Government has a mandate to introduce Vot16 and will keep its promise. A vote for 16- and 17-year-olds encourages active citizenship and socio-political involvement. Young people can already vote in local council elections but Vot16 will translate into the right to have a say in General and European Parliament elections. Young people are already very active, both at local and national levels, and Vot16 is their natural right to become fully integrated into the democratic process.
Malta will be the second EU country, after Austria, to introduce voting at 16 and this means that once again, although very small, our country is making big strides. Historically, the Labour Party in Malta has always been at the forefront when it comes to civil and political measures. It was the Labour Party which lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 and gave women the vote. Recently, this Government introduced further civil rights and Malta became one of the first countries to allow such rights while much bigger and powerful countries followed in our footsteps. Now the European Union is encouraging its member states to do like Austria and Malta and start lowering their voting age to 16.
Even the United Nations reiterates the importance of introducing youth to the democratic process at an earlier age. Voting is one of the fundamental rights in any democracy and this right ensures active citizenship and involvement in the country’s decision-making processes. Resisting such a right is tantamount to unfair and unequal treatment and lack of trust in our younger ambassadors. We are squarely behind young people and we are placing our full trust in them, not verbally but in a practical way. We need young people’s input and we acknowledge the diversity and wealth such an important cohort will bring once they are fully integrated into the country’s democratic structures.
We are an inclusive government and it is estimated that around 8,000 youth will benefit from this new measure. This fills us with a sense of pride and trust. Young people are the product of our society and thus we firmly believe that their input will contribute to the betterment of the country. The positive impacts of Vot16 are various and alongside active participation and involvement of young people in socio-political matters, should serve as a solid platform for future leaders. Active citizens are more prone to take up major political roles in future and being successful at them. Young people are also less likely to succumb to their family’s voting patterns because they want change where change is due and they tend to be more objectively rebellious and ready to follow their dreams. We should not be afraid of such traits. This is what democracy is all about – giving power to the people to make informed decisions, even if such decisions do not favour the political class.
According to the National Office of Statistics, until September 2017 the number of gainfully occupied 16- and 17-year-olds reached 2,640. This means that there are a considerable number of young people in this age bracket who are paying taxes and contributing to the economy. If they are expected to pay taxes, they should expect to be awarded fundamental democratic rights. The European Youth Forum strongly encourages governments across the European Union to instil youth participation because this is a clear attestation of trust and equality. This Government is ready and convinced that Vot 16 is the way forward. After lengthy and careful discussions and considerations, we are now prepared to legislate in favour of this democratic right.
Vot 16 makes history. Vot 16 will give young people the power to shape their country’s future because they have the right and the capacity to do so. We are more than convinced that this is another step in the right direction.
Clifton Grima is Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Sport and Voluntary Organisations