A word of thanks

During the past months, Dr. Charles Mangion has selflessly stepped in to offer his contribution to the Malta Labour Party and the country as a whole.

When, in December of 2007, the sad news that Dr. Alfred Sant, leader of the Malta Labour Party, was suffering from a form of cancer and required urgent medical intervention, it was Dr. Mangion who was chosen to fill for Dr. Sant in the role of Acting Leader of the Malta Labour Party for the time it would take Dr. Sant to recover. Dr. Mangion, found himself in the same position immediately after the March General Election and Dr. Sant's irrevocable decision to resign from the post of leader of the Malta Labour Party.

And, when in June of this year, Dr. Sant relinquished his post as Leader of the Opposition, it was once again Dr. Mangion who had to step into the constitutional role of Leader of the Opposition until such time when the new Labour Leader could step in and assume this very important office.

Dr. Mangion has today resigned from the role of Leader of the Opposition, a role which will from tomorrow be taken over by Dr. Joseph Muscat. But Dr. Mangion's contribution to the Labour cause, and that of the Maltese nation as a whole, will certainly not end today. In Dr. Mangion, the Malta Labour Party has a very competent politician whose experience and above all moderate style and behaviour make him an indispensible asset for the future of the Malta Labour Party.

At this juncture, whilst looking forward to Dr. Mangion's continued political contribution in the best interest of the Party and the Country, however, it would be opportune to spend a word of thanks to Dr. Mangion for all the work done in his unexpected roles as Acting Leader of the Malta Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition.

The Way Forward

The Fondazzjoni Mikiel Anton Vassalli has teamed up with the Labour Youth Forum to organise a seminar intended to discuss the proposal currently being put forward by the Malta Labour Party to lower the voting age in the Local Councils' elections from the present 18 to 16.

This seminar, which was very well attended by people coming from different backgrounds and representing different organisations, including political groupings other than the Malta Labour Party, offered the opportunity for a real debate to take place on the issue, with different speakers offering different perspectives on the notion of youth participation in political life in Malta and beyond.

Perhaps not all of the participants were vociforously in favour of the lowering of the voting age at the current stage, but all agreed that more needs to be done to educate the electorate, young and old alike, about the importance of not simply voting but doing so with an open mind and on the basis of a proper analysis of the issues.

A keypoint raised during the seminar was Dr. Joseph Muscat's announcement that he would be putting forward proposals within the Malta Labour Party so that this notion of lowering the age of political participation from 18 to 16 occurs also at a Party level. Indeed, Dr. Muscat will be proposing a change in the Party statute to bring down the age of membership to the Party to 16.

This move can be seen to be a first step towards a rejuvenation of the MLP's membership of its General Conference, with the possibility of younger members to take their place as Party Delegates. In this way, the Labour Leader is clearly indicating the way forward for the Malta Labour Party, were the younger generation is not simply seen to represent the future, but rather is acknowledged as having an important say in shaping the present.

An altruistic decision

Often, in the political arena, selfishness reigns supreme. Especially in a political system as the one in Malta, politics is a rat-race were individual contestants do whatever it takes to cross the line first. For whatever reason, attaining a Parliamentary Seat is for most contestants the beginning and end all of their objectives.

So it is quite unusual for anyone having worked so hard over the years to attain that Parliamentary Seat, to just give it up and forgo the status that it associated with being an elected representative of the people, and this more so when such a move is not motivated by any clash or disagreement on points of principle, but rather due to an altruistic motive to allow somebody else to take up that Seat in one's stead.

This is precisely what MP Joseph Cuschieri has decided to do in the coming days. He will be giving up his Parliamentary Seat to allow Malta Labour Party Leader Dr. Joseph Muscat to enter the House and take up the position of Leader of the Opposition. Considering Mr. Cuschieri's relative young age, this is indeed a very altruistic step that goes on to show that there are indeed people who put the Party's and the Country's interest first.

Educational Reform

As an educator, I have always been against a type of selective education which segregates students according to academic ability. I am also aware of the way the Junior Lyceum and the Common Entrance Examinations are destroying the childhood of Maltese children. I know that educational research has conclusively shown that streaming is undemocratic and unfair on many children negatively affected by it. I have for many years advocated the re-introduction of comprehensive schooling in Malta and, in 2001, I published a paper entitled “The ideological struggle over comprehensive education in Malta”, in the book Yesterday’s Schools, edited by Professor Ronald G. Sultana, which is the most complete study, to date, of what went wrong with the educational reform of 1972-81 when selection was abolished from the State educational system.

I totally agree with the arguments of educators like Kenneth Wain and Sandro Spiteri. So, I suppose, people would expect me to support those who are advocating the abolishing of the Junior Lyceum and Common Entrance Examinations, streaming, etc. But, and this is a very important “but”, surely the time is not ripe for such a reform? - Let me explain.

It is an acknowledged fact that most parents and teachers are against a non-selective type of education. So here we need a massive publicity campaign about the benefits of non-selective education before any reform is implemented. What happens, however, if the majority of parents and teachers continue to resist the reform? From my research, I confirmed what others had written before me that this was one of the main reasons why the 1972-81 educational reform failed. What I am implying is that first we have to succeed in convincing parents and teachers of the need for non-selective education and, only after this has been assured, can we start with the actual reform. Come on, does anyone think that such a reform could possibly succeed if most parents and teachers oppose it?

Unfortunately, there is another serious obstacle to overcome. Have we considered the fact that serious cases of indiscipline in schools are on the increase? At a time when attacks on educators are becoming more and more common, is it wise to initiate such a reform which will surely increase the incidence of such violent incidents? Mixing children of different academic abilities is not an easy task for teachers in this day and age that we are living in. Have I become a defeatist all of a sudden? - Of course not! Call me a realist, instead. We have still not solved the problem of rampant indiscipline in some schools and we are contemplating a reform which will stretch us to the limits of our abilities in the case of classroom management!

I suggest that we need a wholesome atmosphere of tranquillity in schools before we embark on a reform which is bound to lead to more incidents of indiscipline during the phase of its teething troubles. Remember what happened in 1972. The consequences could be even worse today because the social problems we are facing are even greater.

A third but less serious problem is that of educational resources. A non-selective system based on continuous assessment instead of selective examinations, and mixed-ability teaching instead of streaming, will only succeed if it is backed by a great amount of state-of-the-art educational resources. We have to make education an enjoyable experience for our children. They should look forward to going to school, whether they belong to the most academically bright strata of the school population or even if they are considered to be slow learners. All this would require a substantial financial investment by the government but I am sure that Dr Lawrence Gonzi and his colleagues of the Nationalist Government are committed to improving our educational system for the benefit of all our children as are all Maltese politicians of whatever political party.

To conclude, yes, we need to dismantle our present selective system of education and replace it with one that is non-selective because this is fairer, more democratic and is in the country’s long-term interests. Educational segregation of children at an early age means losing a substantial number who have the potential to succeed in a non-selective system of education and Malta cannot afford this.

However, we have to create beforehand the right conditions for such a reform. Then, we should implement the reform at the right time when the conditions are ripe for its success and when the people entrusted with its implementation are themselves convinced of its absolute necessity. Finally, we have to provide the tools necessary for the reform to succeed, avoiding the mistakes of the past through the fruits of our experience.

(This article by Desmond Zammit Marmara has been published in The Times of Malta on the 11th September 2008)

Hurricane Season

A hurricane is a force of nature that sweeps away everything in its way. It does not make any distinction between black or white, rich or poor. And yet, in our reactions to such catastrophic events, we still seem to manage to make such distinctions.

In the wake of the devastating effects of hurricane Katrina in 2005, of late we have been hearing a lot in the international media about hurricanes such as Gustav and Ike. Much of the media attention has been on the likely impact such hurricanes were to have on Louisiana and the US Gulf Coast, and more particularly on the oil-rigging installations in the region.

At the same time, however, the fact that prior to reaching the USA, these hurricanes would have already passed over many of the small Caribbean nations, leaving behind a trail of devastation and death, is often overlooked.

Caribbean states such as Haiti, which last month has had the misfortune of finding itself in the path of four hurricanes in a period of four weeks, are amongst the poorest in the world, thus their capacity for recovery and regeneration is significantly limited. The misery and distruction that such hurricanes leave behind them will be felt by the people in such countries for years to come.

A New Way of Doing Politics?

Senator John McCain's speech at the Republican Party's National Convention which formally nominated him as the Republican Party's nominee for the Presidency of the USA, may have signified a departure from the traditional way politics is done in the USA.

Stating that 'Americans want us to stop yelling at each other', Senator McCain pledged that should he be elected as the next US President, he'll 'ask Democrats and Independents to serve with me. And my administration will set a new standard for transparency and accountability.'

At the same time, Senator McCain also departed from the traditional stump-speech modes usually adopted in politics by clearly stating his respect and admiration for his opponent, Senator Barack Obama. In fact, McCain surprised many commentators by his conciliatory attitude when stating that 'and, finally, a word to Senator Obama and his supporters. We’ll go at it — we’ll go at it over the next two months — you know that’s the nature of this business — and there are big differences between us. But you have my respect and my admiration. Despite our differences, much more unites us than divides us. We are fellow Americans, and that’s an association that means more to me than any other. We’re dedicated to the proposition that all people are created equal and endowed by our creator with inalienable rights. No country — no country ever had a greater cause than that. And I wouldn’t be an American worthy of the name if I didn’t honor Senator Obama and his supporters for their achievement.'

Perhaps it would not be amiss for us in Malta to take heed of such wise words and reflect on whether the prevalent political situation on this island is sustainable in the long-term. Perhaps, the time has come for all of us to recognise the fact that although we may have different and at times conflicting opinions, we would be doing a greater service to our country if we focus on what unites us, rather than going out of our way to identify differences.

A Sign of Political Maturity

Reacting to the story that the unmarried seventeen year old daughter of Sarah Palin, the Republican Vice-Presidential nominee is five months pregnant, the Democratic Party's candidate for the Presidency Senator Barack Obama, did not mince his words.

I have said before and I will repeat again: People's families are off limits...And people's children are especially off limits. This shouldn't be part of politics. So I would strongly urge people to back off these kinds of stories.

Whatever one's opinion about the contestants in this year's USA Presidential election, there can be little doubt that Senator Obama's words in this instance are a clear sign of political maturity, were decency and respect are being put above political mileage.

Labour's Future

I belong to the losing generation of Labourites. The General Election defeats of 1998, 2003 and 2008 have been bitter pills to swallow but, unfortunately, that is the reality faced by all Labourites today. In the past, I sometimes reflected on how tough it must have been for those Nationalist activists who lived through the years 1971-87, little realizing that I myself would eventually go through the same experience! To work hard for your political party and yet taste defeat, again and again, is indeed tough.

I am convinced, however, that the Malta Labour Party can rise from the ashes of three consecutive defeats to win the next General Election. To do so will require hard work, sheer determination and the avoidance of mistakes which play into the hands of one’s political adversaries. Certain changes are also needed if victory is to become a reality.

Alfred Sant is no longer leading the MLP. Several people blame him for Labour’s three consecutive defeats. I believe that this is not true and that Dr Sant will be vindicated by future historians who will view his contribution to Labour’s development as very positive.

The past is the past, however, so what about the present and the future? Let me start with the new Labour Leader, Dr Joseph Muscat. He is proving to be a great asset to Labour. Youthful, charismatic, an excellent speaker, moderate and realistic in his approach to politics, I am sure that he appeals to many prospective voters, especially the younger generation of Maltese. One has to admit, however, that Dr Muscat’s positive qualities by themselves will not be enough to win Labour the next General Election.

In 2013, Dr Muscat will have to face the same problem that Dr Alfred Sant faced in 2008, i.e. the power of incumbency. Let’s face it, many Maltese are highly influenced by what they stand to personally gain if a particular political party is elected to power. I recently wrote about this online and I stand by my argument : yes, many people consider personal gain above all other things when voting. Call it “clientelism” or what you like, this phenomenon is common among supporters of all political parties but the political party in government has an enormous advantage over its adversaries.

What can Dr Muscat do about this? - Absolutely nothing! Which means that Labour’s task over the next five years is a herculean one but not impossible. It simply boils down to this : the Nationalists can afford a few mistakes and still win because the odds are stacked in their favour but Labour’s performance has to be impeccable to even stand a chance of winning.

Furthermore, a characteristic of the last General Election defeat has to be avoided like the plague. I am referring to misinterpreting the results of Local Council Elections and even those of the European Parliament Elections. Personally, I have always thought that Labour spends too much time and energy on Local Council matters and reads too much into the results of Local Council Elections. Let’s be frank, many Nationalist voters are ready to vote against the PN as long as a change of the party in government is not on the cards. To a lesser extent, the same applies in the case of the European Parliament Elections. I do hope, therefore, that next year we Labourites will not start once again deluding ourselves that we are on our way to Castille if we win the Local Council Elections and the Elections for the European Parliament. To use a soccer analogy, for several years we have mistaken winning some pre-season friendlies to winning the Premier League Championship!

A change of psychology is needed to win. What we Labourites think, the speeches we listen to at our own General Conferences, what our own columnists write, should be of little importance to us. We should be concerned, above all, about what the people in the street are saying, what our political adversaries are disseminating as propaganda, what youths and first-time voters are saying about us. I remember once attending a General Conference where the enthusiasm among the delegates was overwhelming : singing of the party anthem, continuous clapping and standing ovations. Then I returned to everyday life and realized that such occasions are deceptive and illusory. It’s what others think and feel about us that counts and not what we Labourites think and feel about ourselves!

I believe that with the reforms in the MLP’s structure and organization that Dr Joseph Muscat will be implementing, Labour will go into the next General Election at a slight disadvantage compared to the Nationalists. Victory will only be possible with the right frame of mind, the right approach and impeccable campaigning.

(This article by Desmond Zammit Marmara has been published in The Times of Malta on the 26th August 2008)

Should the Voting Age be reduced to 16?

Understanding that one of this summer's more hotly debated topics is the issue whether there should be a widening of the electoral franchise for local elections to include those attaining the age of 16, the Fondazzjoni Mikiel Anton Vassalli in conjunction with the Labour Youth Forum will be holding a public forum with the theme 'Ewropej u Progressivi, Fiducja Fiz-Zghazagh : Vot Ta' Sittax Ghall-Kunsilli Lokali.'

This event, which will be held on Thursday, 18th September at 6pm at the Grand Hotel Excelsior, Floriana, will be addressed by Pia Micallef, Rene` Monseigneur, Dylan Seychell, Andrew Azzopardi, Dr. Owen Bonnici M.P., and Dr. Joseph Muscat MEP.

An Introduction

Inspired by social-democratic principles, the Fondazzjoni Mikiel Anton Vassalli has been set up with the purpose of promoting democratic awareness. It attempts to achieve its aims through promoting a wide-ranging discussion touching upon some of the more important policy developments occuring both at national and international levels.

Building upon the experiences achieved throughout the past years of its existence, during which time, the Foundation has organised a large number of seminars and public debates, this blog is intended to serve as another tool by which the Foundation hopes that it can bring forward its ideas to a wider audience, thereby stimulating further public debate on some of the more pressing policy developments.

As always, the success or otherwise of this initiative is dependent on your contributions thereby giving rise to a healthy debate on the issues, in the hope that we can all emerge richer therefrom.