Malta has to build an identity that rejects oppression and exploitation, welcomes diversity and promotes dialogue by building relationships, President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca said yesterday.

Addressing a round table on cultural diversity at San Anton palace, organised by SOS Malta, the President said: “It is only if we are truly side by side that we can live in peace, overcome all challenges and unite as one.”

“Side by side” is a 14-month project co-financed by the EU which aims to increase integration of residents from outside the Union.

Claudia Taylor East, of SOS Malta, explained that the project focused specifically on foreigners who have arrived in Malta legally. “Let us not mix them up with asylum seekers or refugees,” she stressed.

The project promoted cultural diversity through the publication of a free printed newspaper and an e-newspaper. The last issue will be distributed to all households in Malta.

President Coleiro Preca said the project “gives her hope and encouragement”.

“I believe the well-being of society stems from unity and inclusion, from having an unequivocal sense of solidarity with each other,” she said.

Let us not mix them up with asylum seekers or refugees

Voluntary or forced, regular or irregular migration was always a highly debated topic, she said.

“Often the debate is about migrants but not inclusive of them; your role is to make their voice heard and allow for that word to be part of the dialogue, at whatever level it happens,” she said, referring to the media.

Ms Taylor East appealed to the media not to sensationalise news and to promote positive aspects of migration.

Panel speaker Education officer Stephen Camilleri said that ideally integration programmes started at a young age.

“It’s the ideal time because young children do not make a distinction between different people.”