Broad forum launched in bid to reveal reality
National consultations start tomorrow
A new forum has brought together 27 voluntary organisations with extremely diverse agendas and views to gauge the various forces affecting family life.
The family forum was established on the initiative of the National Family Commission in its attempt to ensure all the voices in society are heard.
"Many have commented that we risked facing Babel, but in a family, there are always discordant views and we prefer hearing the different opinions than allow silence to shroud reality," Commission chairman Sandro Spiteri said. He was speaking before the forum's first meeting kicked off yesterday in the presence of Family Minister Dolores Cristina.
Mr Spiteri said the forum was autonomous and was intended to strengthen the voices of civil society.
The commission would only assist it from an administrative aspect, and only if the forum requested such help.
On the other hand, the commission was not bound to accept automatically the forum's proposals, though it would receive its representations, give its feedback and formally meet with the forum twice a year.
The forum is part of the commission's four main principles of its action plan for this year, which includes research, national consultation as well as technical advice and advocacy.
Its goal is to present a draft of the National Plan for the Family in May.
One third of its budget will go towards research looking into new family forms; the causes behind couples' problems who seek counselling from the Cana Movement; the impact of mixed marriages; and the effect of the Family Court on families.
With regard to public consultation there will be four regional meetings that will all be held between 6 and 7.30 p.m. and include refreshments and childminding facilities.
The first meeting will be held tomorrow at the Fgura Primary School, at the Luqa Primary on Thursday, and at the Attard Primary on Friday. The fourth meeting will be held on March 9 at the NGO Hall, Xewkija.
On the subject of technical advice and advocacy, the commission will, among others, help entities tap EU funds for projects geared to helping families, and support local council initiatives for strengthening vulnerable sectors of society.
Ms Cristina encouraged individuals and organisations to take part in this week's public consultations so that the commission would be able to form a clearer picture of the constitution of the Maltese family today.
"The government recognises that there have been numerous changes in society in the past years and a national policy for the family is crucial to help us face today's realities," she said.