10 years since the foundation of the National Youth Council

Jesmond Mugliett, the Parliamentary Secretary responsible for Youths, made the following address at the ceremony on May 3 marking the tenth anniversary of the National Youth Council (KNZ):

The most effective way for the government to carry out its role among young people is through close association with youth organisations. In Malta we may consider ourselves extremely fortunate to have a strong culture of voluntary organisations working among young people.

The diversity within these organisations is highly encouraging. These organisations include sport, cultural, artistic, scouts, Church and students` organisations. Most of these organisations are then federated into national bodies giving rise to a rich networking system.

A democratic system entails the existence of a body that brings together all national bodies in order that the voice of young people may reach the highest institutions. The National Youth Council has evolved in the last ten years to be this national body, which is recognised as representing all youth organisations.

During these ten years the NYC has managed to give an international dimension to local youth organisations. In 1993 it became a member of CENYC (Council of Europe NYC). Later CENYC was dissolved to form what is now known as the European Youth Forum of which the local NYC is also a member. Last year the NYC also participated actively in the drafting of the European White Paper on Youth Policy.

Two important milestones during the past ten years was the Euro-Arab Dialogue under the auspices of the Council of Europe and the setting up of the Mediterranean Youth Forum, which was a big success. The Council is planning other initiatives in its quest to empower Maltese young people. The setting up of the Youth Parliament last year was another milestone.

Today the structures for informa1 education in general have evolved considerably. Recent statistics showed that youth participation in these organisations has increased by 30 per cent in these last two years. Youth organisation must continue to be supported in order that they remain an integral part of our civi1 society.

For the NYC the coming years will continue to be as challenging as the past ten years. Its work needs to have more visibility and it needs to address all issues effecting youth. It must remain in the forefront of all developments, anticipating their effect on the younger generations, putting forward sound proposals. Only in this way can we ensure that our younger generations share in the shaping of the world around them and their future.

President`s address

In his address, KNZ president Keith Psaila said:

Like all those who have served as executive members of the National Youth Council during these last ten years, I am honoured to be part and to have been part of the organisation of organisations in Malta. It is even of greater satisfaction to see that the contribution we have all given to the Council and that we are giving, year after year, with dedication, is not being undermined but is being continued by our successors.

The present executive of the National Youth Council has just published the history booklet National Youth Council - 10 Years Service from Youths to Youths to better help us understand the role that the Council plays within Maltese society, and to make us remember some of the Council`s important achievements.

This booklet clearly shows how wise the decision has been to set up the NYC on January 28, 1992, and the positive impact it has left on us all. The government had expressed its support to the NYC, which it acknowledged as a very vital structure because it recognises that youths are more than anything else a positive force for change.

The primary aims and objectives of the NYC have been to bring together Maltese youths and to serve as a meeting and discussion forum for them, while giving them a voice and an effective role in Maltese society; these aims are being achieved year after year. The NYC, through many activities, has managed to bring together all youths while promoting a sense of co-operation, pluralism and equality among them.

Throughout the years the activities organised by the NYC have grown, and its work among youths has continued to strengthen. Yet the Council always adapted to changing circumstances, and has always tried to express what youths think on various issues which concern them directly. Yet, irrespective of the changes that the NYC may go through, the only motivation for its existence has always been, and I wish it will always be, youths and their future.

I believe I will be speaking on behalf of all those who have served on the NYC in these ten years, and on behalf of all the youth organisations in Malta when I express my gratitude to all the governments with which the Youth Council worked, and with which our successes are to be shared. It was they who gave the NYC most of the resources to make it work effectively, and it was they who believed in youths and in their abilities.

Today we are celebrating the first ten years of the Council, but I wish the Council keeps growing and matures till it becomes old, yet always be youthful in spirit. May we have the opportunity to commemorate many more anniversaries of the National Youth Council.