The theme chosen by the United Nations for this year's International Day of Families is that of Families and Persons with Disabilities. Undoubtedly, this theme is highly appropriate in 2007, the European Year of Equal Opportunities For All.

The field of disability, some may argue, has been the front-runner in the creation of societies where all citizens can have equal access to all its services, policies and structures.

The focus on families and disabled persons opens up a plethora of points for consideration: The basic right of disabled persons to form their own family, the quality of life families that include disabled persons should be able to attain, the type of support structure which should be set up to assist these families and, where necessary, structures which can act instead of the family.

I recently delivered an address at a conference entitled A Mediterranean Without Handicap: Towards a New Humanism - Ethics and Disability. I believe that the latter part of the title is something we ought to reflect upon. The articulation of a "new humanism", and the grandness of this ideal, may just about be the goal for those of us involved in making the world a more inclusive, accessible place for the disabled.

Of course, we are not talking about a "new humanism" for disabled persons alone, but one which is all encompassing, naturally including their families and society as a whole. A prime example of this is when persons caring for those with severe disabilities say, as they often do, that they set out to give but, ended up receiving more. This is not simply a cliché. What they are trying to express, I believe, is that in practising inclusivity with others, they found they were giving space to parts of themselves that they had previously marginalised: The disabled can help the able develop their potential.

As a politician with the portfolio for the national care of the disabled and for the family, my role is, therefore, to use humanism as the backdrop against which disability does not become a destiny of powerlessness and lack of human dignity.

Here, one must mention the invaluable work that the National Commission Persons with Disability and Agenzija Sapport have done and continue to do. The Commission has worked unstintingly in raising awareness on many issues and we must credit it for being one of the key players in placing disability at the forefront of this country's agenda.

Agenzija Sapport, on the other hand, has proved crucial in ensuring that disabled persons can rightfully continue to live within their communities, with their families or alone, or within residential projects in the heart of the community and close to home, such as the newly set-up Dar Pirotta in Birkirkara.

The lobby groups of parents have, through their personal experiences, been highly instrumental in helping this country focus on the aspirations, expectations and needs of disabled persons and their families.

Undoubtedly, most people, in all countries and across all cultures, wish to live in a family set-up, be it the one they were born into or the one they choose to make. It is, therefore, our duty to ensure that it is possible for all of society's members to be able to do so.

Today, the actual day which marks the International Day of Families, the European Ministers responsible for gender equality and family affairs are meeting in Germany.

The theme of the meeting is Fostering Family Cohesion: Equal Opportunities For Men And Women In Employment And In The Family Strengthen Families.

The discussion will focus on, among other matters, sustainable family and social policies, the changing roles of men and women, and balancing family and professional responsibilities.

The meeting will also be reporting on the European Alliance For Families and how strategic alliances of politics, industry and trade unions can help to promote the implementation of family-friendly measures.

In a fast changing world, reflected in our own country, learning from our families and from each other is surely the best way forward, to continue to build a strong and healthy society based on the values we most cherish: Solidarity and understanding.

Ms Cristina is Minister for the Family and Social Solidarity.

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