Vijay Krishnarayan.

The Maltese have opened themselves up to diversity over the past decade and are more open to migrants, according to the director of the Commonwealth Foundation, Vijay Krishnarayan.

Returning to the island last week for the launch of the Commonwealth People’s Forum, Mr Krishnarayan spoke of the changes he has witnessed since his last visit in 2005 for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

“Since 2005 I’ve seen a number of societal changes in Malta. It’s really an appropriate place for CHOGM because it comes at a time when Malta is asserting its role on the international stage and that is consistent with societal change,” he said.

“The change manifests itself in a more open attitude towards migrants... Society is more empathetic with their plight.

“Malta is also more at ease with diversity and I think that has provided an opportunity [for the island] to share how societies can change with others across the Commonwealth,” he said.

The Commonwealth Foundation’s mission is to develop the capacity of civil society “to engage with the institutions that shape people’s lives”, while the People’s Forum brings together civil society representatives from around the world to discuss key issues facing people of the Commonwealth.

Mr Krishnarayan, 51, said as a student he became very interested in the relationship between conservation and development and quickly realised the importance of dialogue in reaching a balance – something Malta is experiencing as it debates building the American University of Malta on pristine land at Żonqor point.

“We need institutions that are able to recognise different perspectives and respect difference of opinion but, at the same time, deliver a better quality of life for all citizens.”

The forum will be held between November 23 and 26, a joint venture of the CHOGM 2015 Malta Taskforce and the Commonwealth Foundation. International civil society will be able to voice their views to government representatives ahead of the three-day summit bringing together 53 heads of government in Malta.

This year the forum’s theme is resilience.

“It’s about the ability of society, not only to resist shock, but to prepare for future shocks. Shocks are the new normal. Every day we hear about a financial crisis, or a typhoon, or an atrocity,” he said adding that one of the keys to a resilient society was, in fact, diversity.

For more information about the People’s Forum visit www.chogm2015.mt or send an e-mail to peoplesforum@chogm2015.mt.