Next year will be filled with more hard work towards the implementation of concrete measures which improve equality in our country and bolster research and innovation.

Here are the top 10 measures in the sector, which we will be implementing following the much-needed financing obtained in the very positive budget which has been just read in Parliament.

Gender-based violence: We are totally committed to eradicate gender-based violence and domestic violence. The Commission entrusted with this sector will bolster its awareness campaign on the sector, as well as perform research on aggressors in situations of domestic violence in order to better understand the psychological aspects of this very serious social challenge.

IT accessibility for vulnerable persons: The pandemic showed how much ICT is essential in our contemporary life. The Foundation for IT Accessibility has been provided with considerable investment to improve the services it provides to vulnerable people and those with disabilities.

 

Equality

We need to keep winning the minds and hearts in the field of equality. The first priority in this sector will be the approval of two pending Bills which aim to strengthen equality in Malta. At the same time we will keep working on two important initiatives: the Equality Mark certification for companies and the EU-funded Empowerment for Diversity project.

 

No to racism

In the last days we have launched a very ambitious National anti-Racism Strategy. Next year we will start implementing various much-needed measures contained in this document. Also we will see that the I Belong programme, which is a concrete measure of intercultural inclusion for foreigners who live in Malta, is expanded. This is an important programme because it provides a teaching programme of Maltese, English and basic cultural orientation.

 

Promoting LGBTIQ rights

We are strong believers in the principle that people should be treated with full equality, independently of whom they love. We want to increase the services provided by government to the LGBTIQ community and push forward the processes relating to the LGBTIQ hub, which we want to launch. At the same time we will keep working on the Europride, which will take place in Malta in 24 months.

 

Human trafficking

Human trafficking is a heinous crime and we want to strengthen the fight against this social scourge. We will build upon the intensive research undertaken in 2021 in order to construct a Strategy and Action plan, while promoting awareness.

 

Gender mainstreaming efforts

We will push forward gender-based policies and measures in all sectors with the aim of eliminating discrimination and achieving more equality.

 

Responsible use of cannabis

We will implement the 20-point reform towards responsible use of cannabis as an important measure of harm-reduction. A new authority will be established to regulate associations tasked with distributing, under strict rules, cannabis to members. We will also embark on educational and prevention campaigns, including one with FSWS.

 

Research and innovation

We believe that research and innovation is key to a successful economy. More funds have been made available for this sector and as a consequence, we will be launching a new programme entitled Go to Market. This aims to achieve advanced technology levels with the aim of commercialization.

At the same time, we will increase bilateral and multilateral relationships, including European partnership under Horizon Europe. Through the Horizon Support Measures scheme we will facilitate the participation of local researchers and entities for the obtainment of funds.

We will also keep working on the much-needed Industrial Ph.D programme, which we have just launched, as well as investing in the Interactive Science Centre Esplora. That way we will be promoting both ends of the STEM journey, the younger generation, which is interested in getting to know more about science and those PH.D graduates, who have made it.

We are committed to keep working hard for a more equitable and a more innovative Malta.

 

Owen Bonnici is Minister for Equality, Research and Innovation