The articles that were penned by Mark Said ‘New identity for Europe’ and Lino Bugeja ‘Unbridled multiculturalism’ (January 24) inculcated in me food for thought.

When referring to the new situation arising in Europe with regard to immigration, Said rightly affirms that “the determined exercise of tolerance and patience in the face of intimidation very often demonstrates courageous qualities of a higher order than a willingness to resort too quickly to reactionary low-back tactics”.

Bugeja, though in favour of multiculturalism, as long as it is used well, regrets the fact that once upon a time he preached and recommended youth of various nationalities to study and play together in a multinational environment in schools.

I too was one of those who encouraged such encounters, for my work has always been with youth of different nationalities in schools. Inclusion, in all its aspects with all its implications, had been one of my foremost basic principles.

The fact such an ideal has not yet been achieved does in no way mean that such reasoning is faulty.

Schools should remain places where, through education, students learn to live without any feelings of prejudice or hatred. It is there that the seed of love and tolerance is sown and extended towards their families and society at large.

To integrate and accept other ethnic groups into one’s society does not mean to downgrade or ditch one’s Christian legacy as Bugeja implies. Promoting multiculturalism implies learning to live among different cultures and traditions without losing one’s identity.

Today, more than before, we have to keep on promoting multiculturalism in schools and places of work and entertainment.

When religious principles are no longer the norms that guide our society, we have to focus on those values that keep our democratic society throbbing.

With the right intentions and with a vision of a globalised community, the way forward is multiculturalism without any frontiers or prejudices.