My political nursery

This week, I attended one of the graduation ceremonies that was held in the Sir Temi Zammit Hall at the University’s Msida campus. Being there brought back great memories of my years at the University and my work within SDM (Studenti Demokristjani Maltin) and KSU (Kunsill Studenti Universitarji).

These children are not only talking about waste management but also contributing to it- George Pullicino

I was active within SDM for almost seven years since I began Sixth Form at the age of 16 and continued almost until I completed my studies at the University. I was active during an extremely tumultuous time in our country’s political history, also characterised by students’ constant protest for basic rights.

I remember one instance in 1981 when, following a week of protests, the Minister for Education at the time dissolved the Students’ Council, which I presided, and barred us even from meeting in our offices. This was a council that had been democratically elected by students, which was declared illegal because it organised a series of peaceful protests.

It was a time when speaking up for your rights would result in threats and beatings by mobs.

In 1984, SDM was actively defending the existence of Church schools that the Labour government had declared it would be shutting down. In one incident, a number of University students were beaten by armed dockyard workers who confronted students on the University campus. One architecture student had both his arms broken with a chain. In this day and age of democracy, pluralism and stability, the recounting of such episodes generates disbelief. But those of us who experienced them first-hand learnt a very important lesson: never be disheartened and continue peacefully fighting for your rights, even in the face of suppression.

This tumultuous period also provided the context for our political formation and the cultivation of our Christian-democrat principles.

We absorbed the principles of solidarity, participation, social justice and sustainable development, among others, from the many seminars that we organised at the University and at Ażad (the academy for the development of a democratic environment). We used to invite personalities who held such a political culture close to their heart. We also made good use of the Ażad library.

These formative years in SDM served to cultivate my character and teach me the ABC of the democratic process. Student organisations such as SDM do not only provide a service to the current student body but primarily serve future generations – December 2.

Committed to making a difference

Accustomed as we are to opening our taps and finding running water do we ever stop to think about the fact that a child dies every 10 seconds due to contaminated water? Do we stop to think about the children who wake up every morning and have to walk for miles just to reach a source of clean water and carry it to their “house”?

This is 2011. The situation is only bound to get worse due to climate change.

Two years ago, thanks to the Copenhagen Agreement during the Climate Change Conference, developed countries committed themselves to providing “fast start” and other financial assistance for developing countries between 2010 and 2012.

Within this context, the Maltese government has joined other EU member states in financing projects related to adaptation to climate change. In this regard, a few days ago Deputy Prime Minister Tonio Borg and I presented €300,000 to non-governmental organisations engaged in projects that address climate change.

These funds will be financing projects in Africa that aim to facilitate access to clean water, biogas plants, a tree-planting programme and the installation of solar panels. These projects will take place in countries that are particularly vulnerable to climate change, such as Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania and Ghana – November 28.

Historic chapel restored

The extensive restoration project of the Santa Caterina chapel in Valletta is finally complete and was inaugurated yesterday when we celebrated its namesake’s feast day.

This chapel was built for the Italian members of the Order and is now used by the Italian community in Malta. It is a jewel that has had its dignity restored.

Its restoration is the brainchild of Fr Gino Gauci, parish priest for the 3,000-strong Italian community in Malta. He has long been pushing for this chapel to have its original beauty restored.

The chapel was in a terrible condition. Unfortunately, large quantities of water used to seep in from the dome, causing extensive damage to the stone and paintings.

The last phase of the project focused on the internal restoration of the chapel, to which the Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs proudly contributed through its Restoration Unit, together with the Bank of Valletta.

Over the past few months, the project was also extended to the smaller dome and the paintings behind the altar, which was financed by sponsorships secured by the Italian Embassy.

Research was carried out under the supervision of Giuseppe Mantella.

This chapel, which was designed by Girolamo Cassar, also boasts works by Mattia Preti, namely the principal painting that was restored by NSTF in 2007. The paintings on the main dome, which represent scenes from the life of St Catherine, are also by Preti.

In the few words I delivered during the inauguration, I stated that I look at this chapel as a symbol of the ties between Malta and Italy. This bond is not simply one based on geographical proximity but is primarily due to the cultural and social ties between our peoples.

This project is but one of about 30 projects that this government is carrying out in our capital city to restore the value it deserves – November 26.

Sustainable water

My morning was made up of two wonderful experiences. It began with a visit to San Anton School, where I was surrounded by students who participate in the Eko-Skola programme. I was impressed by their enthusiasm, the wealth of information they had collected and the environmental initiatives they undertook. It is clear that their teachers have successfully ignited a love for the environment and a strong sense of civic duty.

They also built a model of what they would like to see in the park that is being developed on the rehabilitated landfill in Magħtab.

These children are not only talking about waste management but also contributing to it. They do not only produce compost from biodegradable waste but also developed a small civic amenity site within their own school to considerably reduce the volume of waste that they send to the landfill.

From there I went to a field close to Rabat where the first borehole meter for agricultural use was being installed. This is an important concrete step towards conserving the water table.

I explained to journalists that about 3,500 meters will be installed in the boreholes of farmers. The installation of these meters is being funded through a sum of €2 million that we successfully obtained from the EU, thus avoiding further costs for farmers. The government is also assisting by reducing the rental fees that farmers must pay for the water and electricity meters.

After the installation of these meters, there will be a period of monitoring of the quantity of water that is used in all sectors so as to have a clear picture of what is being extracted from the water table. Where water is used for agricultural purposes, farmers will be given a quota for free water for their needs.

We can proudly say that we have already taken steps that many European countries in the Mediterranean have had difficulties implementing. We are recognising and acting upon our responsibilities towards our children and future generations in guaranteeing the quantities and quality of water that they deserve – November 23.

http://georgepullicino.blogspot.com

The author is Minister for Resources and Rural Affairs.