Convention of Maltese Living Abroad 2010
Ten years have elapsed since the last Convention of Leaders of Maltese Communities abroad. The time has come to organize another assembly of community leaders. The aim of this Convention in my view is that of examing the progress and developments registered during the last ten years as regards protection of the rights and interests of Maltese living abroad. But it should serve as a spring board for new initiatives for the future.
The liberalisation of our country’s nationality law through the 2000 and 2007 legislative reforms have guaranteed access to Maltese citizenship to any person, wherever he was born, who can prove a relationship in the direct line with any person of Maltese nationality born in Malta. Nationality, in brief, has now been extended even to generations of Maltese beyond the first generation born abroad.
Our target, once this radical legislative reform has been secured, is to give more strength to the rights arising from nationality given to Maltese persons who have settled abroad. The first idea which comes to my mind is education and learning. We should strive to enhance and expand the teaching of the Maltese language abroad-as well as instruction in Maltese history and the peculiarities, traditions and folklore of our nation. This can be done through the proper use of the modern means of communication.
In my various government capacities, I have had occasion to meet Maltese communities all around the world. I have been able to see the extraordinary ability of the Maltese people to adapt to different environments, learn and assimilate other languages, and integrate into other cultures, seek and maintain new partnerships and lasting relationships. Notwithstanding these facts, it has been their particular ability to retain their distinct identities in the midst of foreign cultures.
During the course of its history, the Maltese people have demonstrated ability and willpower to shape and implement a vision which helped us to develop into one of the most successful small nations. Inspired by this, the Government has identified seven sectors for development which will give the Maltese islands a comparative advantage by 2015.
Vision 2015 is an approach which views Malta’s medium-term economic and social development through the development of excellence in six main areas of activity namely: Health Services, Education, Manufacturing and Related Services, Tourism, Financial Services and Communication and Information Technology. The development of these areas will create spill over and multiplier effects to other sectors of activity and should be pursued within the context of synergies within the social and environmental spheres.
The Government believes that this vision is embraced by the Maltese and Gozitans alike. However, it will allow Gozo, an island region, to assist in addressing the Gozitans’ particular challenges, thus enjoying to the utmost in the success of the whole country.
In seeking to build partnerships you will continue to ask of yourselves what it is that you can do for your country.
Your presence as communities living outside our shores, can be a great opportunity to exploit and enhance links so crucial to consolidating, not only the relationship between us but also between one State and another.
It is my pleasure and honour for me as Minister of Foreign Affairs to have this Convention organised by my Ministry and I look forward to meeting you next March for a successful Convention.
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