Fort St Elmo calling

For any system of government to survive, there must be a process of evolution. I am not afraid to say that one could substitute this word with another: revolution. There is nothing wrong in having revolutions. It all depends on the direction of the revolution.

It was part of my youth; maintaining the pace with one challenge after the other. Today another challenge has cropped up - saving Fort St Elmo in Valletta. Reading the reports in The Times, letters to the editor and other contributions from ordinary citizens and government sources, it struck me that this is a real test for civil democracy. People were putting pen to paper and this was very positive. People had great ideas and this is creativity in action. People were writing in an intelligent manner and this confirmed the maturity of our social capital.

In short, people were demanding change.

And change I can deliver. In every institution I have worked in since 1976, I sought to bring change about through a participatory process that led to new rules of engagement and leadership. I can state that most of these challenges led to very positive results.

Malta has a bustling third sector or civil society sector. After discussing the issue for about 20 years, Malta has finally enacted the Voluntary Organisations Act and established a Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations. Private companies started coming up with initiatives termed as corporate social responsibility, whereby companies donate funds to civil groups as part of their commitment to social development. Furthermore, some companies have set up their own foundations entrusted with assisting the third sector in carrying out projects and initiatives.

The government has recognised the vital role of the third sector. Many specialised services are today contracted out to third sector foundations and organisations. Property has been devolved to private third sector organisations in order to renovate, maintain and make sustainable use of such buildings, historical or otherwise.

All these measures are part of a vocal revolution in our democracy. Vocal because the third sector had to make a strong case to bring about all these changes over the last few decades. Society must be proud of all the third sector leaders who led these advocacy campaigns and were able to create a receptive environment where the government, the private sector and the third sector can work in harmony to deliver many success stories.

Fort St Elmo can be another success story. I very much admire the leadership of Din l-Art Ħelwa, one of Malta's treasures in civil society, which has renovated about 20 properties and is maintaining them to valorise our tangible heritage. The same admiration is due to Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna which has been at the forefront of change in heritage valorisation. In Malta, we need to do more to valorise our wealth of tangible and intangible heritage.

I never proposed the formation of the foundation for Fort St Elmo in order to be a hero or a platform for something to come in the future. I was acting on the voices of all those who made a genuine effort and wrote about the great need for an immediate rescue plan for the fort. There is no other way to save it than to make sustainable use of this fort as soon as possible. Every day means more decay. Every day means more euros will be required to save this jewel in our capital city Valletta.

Some people are good at making their voice heard through a letter in the local press. Others have become prolific bloggers. I wanted to do something more. I came out with the idea to set up a foundation specifically for Fort St Elmo as this requires a specific commitment.

The first meeting will be held today at 6 p.m. at the Hotel Excelsior in Floriana. During this meeting those present will discuss the formation of the foundation and elect a formation committee. Everyone is invited to attend.

Whether you believe in revolution or evolution, whether you are red, blue, green or multicoloured, the national interest begs your presence at this historical meeting.