Tuesday, 24th March 2009 - 16:25CET
Maltese volunteer nominated for European youth prize
Nicolette Busuttil, a 20-year-old law student who provides voluntary service among asylum seekers in the Safi and Hal Far detention centres, is Malta's nominee for this year's European Charlemagne Youth Prize.
Winners from each of the 27 Member States of the European Union have been selected after the European Parliament and the Foundation of the International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen made an open call for young people to submit projects on EU development, integration and European identity issues.
Ms Busuttil has been serving voluntarily on a weekly basis at the detention centres since the end of 2006. Her work in the centres has consisted mainly of providing moral support through informal contact with asylum seekers and assistance with religious services on Sundays.
She has sought to be a sympathetic ear to the asylum seekers in detention, hoping to express some solidarity in a context that often signals otherwise.
"I see my contribution as a necessary extension of my personal beliefs in the dignity of every human being," Ms Busuttil, who works closely with the Jesuit Refugee Service Malta, said.
Received and checked by the Valletta Office of the European Parliament, Ms Busuttil's application was deemed the national winner by a national jury set up for this year's European Charlemagne Youth Prize, which was made up of Maltese MEPs Simon Busuttil (EPP-ED) and Louis Grech (PES), who are the respective heads of delegation of their political parties in the European Parliament. The jury was also composed of a representative of the National Youth Council (KNZ).
The top winners in the international contest will be chosen at the beginning of April from among the 27 national nominations by a European jury consisting of the President of the European Parliament, Hans-Gert Pöttering, and three other MEPs, as well as four representatives from the Foundation of the International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen.
As the Maltese nominee, Ms Busuttil will be participating in the award-giving ceremony that will take place in Aachen, Germany, on May 19.
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Comments
Here I am!
Winning such prizes will not make the situation easier or will see the end of the problem. JRS may help these immigrants as much as they want but the fact remains that they are a burden on our small island and the Maltese are very worried and frustrated. Repatriation still remains the only option.
Against the background of this scenario however, I cannot help admiring young people like Ms Busuttil. Ms Busuttil, in spite of other commitments especially to study, finds the time to offer courageously her voluntary continuous service of moral support towards these people as the dignity of every human person demands; each human person being created in the image and likeness of God.
I am very proud that our country has young people like Ms Busuttil, who like so many others, are committed to voluntary service. Ms Busuttil’s part in this European contest is not for her personal ego, but to market practical and rational outreach towards those in need.
A rational and objective analysis of illegal immigration morally demands a more serious effort on European level towards a sustainable programme to help illegal immigrants in their own country making illegal immigration an unnecessary risk.
Good luck Nicolette. We are proud of you.
I agree with you 100%
We should not make their temporary stay here more comfortable, otherwise they will stay longer and also bring over their families and friends.
They should be expelled forthwith they set foot in Malta.
Since you ask for the usual crowd Mr.Buttigieg, well we're here and this or any JRS activity is going to make the illegal invaders any more palatable.
Tiny Malta is in dire straits with the thousands upon thousands of uninvited guests , human kindness or no human kindness.
It is time to act tough for our culture and our children's children's sake.
God rewards those that help others
U made us Maltese proud
And why would you ask that M. Buttigieg??
Why would you turn a positive article into the usual labelling of concerned citizens??
Seeing a Maltese woman so humbly helping people in need makes me proud of being Maltese. Although I personally do not like the idea of illegal immigrants flowing into our country doesn't mean that I do not respect them as other human beings. I hope that clears your thought about 'us' being racists or whatever you want to call 'us'........
P.S. - 'Us' = 'the usual people who have tons of things to write with regards to asylum seekers'