Ethics teacher Luke Fenech has launched a new youth initiative aimed at giving young people a space to be heard and taken seriously, with its first event set to focus on Malta's education system.

The initiative, titled 'Żgħażagħ għall-Bidla' (Youths for Change), has been set up as an independent community bringing together like-minded people to debate, discuss and bring forward change.

The first event will be held on 8 April and will focus on the education system, with further meetings set to address themes such as mental health, the arts, and others.

The initiative was started by Fenech, who said it emerged from his experience working with young people who want to see change, but often lack a platform to express their views.

"As an educator, I constantly meet young people that want things to change, be it in the education system, the environment, etc, and yet their voices remain hidden within closed doors," Fenech said.

He said the aim of the group is to provide young people with a space to stand up for what they believe in, and to be part of the change they wish to see.

"This new public group aims to change things by giving young people a voice and a space to stand up for what they believe, and to also be part of the change that they wish to see," he said.

The initiative is currently being led by Fenech, with support from his students and other young people who have approached him to assist in different ways.

Youths aged 13 and over from across Malta are invited to join, Fenech said.

In the short term, Fenech said that the group aims to provide like-minded people with a space and a voice to discuss themes of importance to young people, while also including an educational element through workshops and sessions such as training in public speaking.

In the longer term, the initiative aims to transition into a voluntary organisation and serve as a pressure group in areas that concern young people.

Fenech said the group also plans to gather insights from each meeting and publish them in reports, which could serve as a way forward and a means of contribution.

The initiative is also open to collaborating with other NGOs and initiatives that share similar aims, Fenech said.

He added that increasing participation in such discussions could help improve young people's engagement with politics, reduce indifference and bring together individuals from different backgrounds to contribute to wider discussions.

Fenech said that, in the current sociopolitical context, the time is right for young people to play a more active role in shaping the country's direction.

"I wholeheartedly believe that the initiative can bring great things," he said.

Last August, Fenech had called for a fundamental rethink of Malta's education system, warning that it is merely preparing students for the job market at the expense of their personal growth.

He also put forth a 100-policy document titled the Manifesto of Hope, with recommendations for a more human-centred education system.

The meeting will be held at the Mosta Local Council Hall (upper floor) at 7pm on 8 April, in collaboration with the Mosta Local Council, with registration open online here: https://forms.gle/nqSbxxSSspmPZSKfA