Phase, a new magazine for the young which will be distributed free with The Times tomorrow, prides itself with being "different".
"Mistakes can be an inspiration. Most local magazines targeting youth today are overloaded with ads promoting anything from alcohol to anti-wrinkle creams. The remaining dross is paid-for content that insults the intelligence of young adult readers by pretending to be independent content. We, at Phase, took the time to ask young people what they were interested in and weren't surprised to find that the over-commercialised nonsense they are asked to read is not high on their list," a spokesman for the publishers said.
The spokesman insists that Phase is different. It is a creation of young minds - students or apprentices - that think and believe in the clout they have over the politics and economics of this country. Their interests steer across numerous subjects. Their talents are like undiscovered treasures. They are highly opinionated. They belong to organisations, study international politics and understand the meaning of modern capitalism.
But Phase says it is also for the laggard. Many youngsters still snooze bored in grey classrooms or feel drawn apathetically in the marshes of daily office work. Many of them do not show interest in sports or classical literature. What is worse, they do not want to be interested.
Phase projects itself as a message. It is a wakeup call for those who are drowsy and lethargic. It is a compass for the attentive, a stage for the talented, a market place for the entrepreneurial and a friend to the lonely or odd. Phase is a community and an organisation of the youngsters who believe in just how important they are to the older generation - parents, presidents, teachers - and how vital they are to the future of this country, this environment, this life and the life of those to come. For the first issue, the Phase team prepared career and education articles - interviews, research, opinion.
Some readers will ponder over the thoughtful and very motivational words of Joe Bannister, chairman of the Malta Financial Services Authority, in an exclusive interview for Phase. Those who are interested in studying abroad or pursue a career in the financial industry will appreciate the pages dedicated to exchange programmess and professional courses.
A few pages have been dedicated to talents. Fashion designers, artists and photographers can publish their work with every issue of Phase. And to ensure participation, Phase organises competitions.
Environmental issues, intercultural communications, social topics and politics take equally important roles in young adults' lives. Technology is the extension of the senses, as Marshall McLuhan had famously proclaimed, and, having such a major role in everyday life, Phase has dedicated the Tech Culture section specifically on IT talk. The section on recruitment and training is a practical guide to various courses or attractive vacancies on offer right now.
The publishers say Phase - which is out every two months - is preparing a lot more: Field trips, professional workshops and seminars.
editor@phase.com.mt