The rapid acceleration of new ideologies and attitudes now sweeping away old world traditions are starting to wash ashore on Malta. In their steady wake what was mainstream twenty years ago will now turn conservative. Nowhere is this phenomenon seen more clearly than in the accelerated spread of western culture which is enveloping planet earth. For better or worst the irreversible trend translates into a universal standard of behavior and attire which nulls the human need for cultural diversity. To a lesser but equally important degree the behavioral transformation of modern society, from old ways to new, has forced Malta to re-examine long held narrow attitudes which were formerly abetted by mind numbing religious fervor. What is at stake is nothing short than a re-evaluation of national priorities, which demand firm resolve and courage from the Maltese, to invest in a future stripped of traditional ways. The process, several steps removed from patriarchal rules of days past exacts painful change. Contemporary Malta is under mounting pressure from the outside world, and from within its own internal quarters, to objectively deal with a triad of complex propositions whose eventual outcome will forever alienate its insular island mentality. The sequel will define the nature and character of Malta for years to come, reaching well beyond the start of the next millennium, as the country seeks its rightful place amongst an extended family of European nations.The Malta of years past existed in a splendid quarantine under foreign occupation, abetted by a religious institution which for its own benefit protected the strong against the weak. Its poorly educated masses were not positioned nor inclined to challenge the rule of law, imposed mercilessly upon them by a power structure intent on preserving the status quo. With the advent of WWII and the post war years new people and new ideas from abroad started to take root amongst Malta's increasingly educated younger generations. The normally uninspired Maltese took stock of a resurgent western society, with its focus on individual civil liberties and propagation of assertiveness, highlighted by informal easy-going American attitudes. They liked what they saw, unleashed their oppressive chains, and Malta has not been the same ever since.
Of the many changes transforming Malta into a modern society none are as critical as the secularization of the island; the measurable rise in the quality of secondary and higher education; and the nation's admission into the EU. While the prominence of the Roman Catholic church in Malta is undeniably diminished, and the threat of interdiction has become a laughable matter, its influence is still a power to be reckoned with. Case in point is the on-going debate over the legalization of abortion, divorce and co-habitation. Matters of this nature, affecting individual choice and alternative lifestyles of a consentual nature, have been long resolved throughout Europe through enactment of civil legislation, which realistically takes into account the limited power of the state to regulate and enforce moral conduct carried on behind closed bedroom doors.. Only in Malta is the church still in a position to impact the outcome of society's demands for change, by taking advantage of its controversial cozy involvement in matters of State, at the expense of its people's well-being. There is talk of holding a referendum on the future composition of variable family arrangements permitted by law outside of conventional marriage. This task belongs more appropriately to Malta's legislative body to resolve, with no allowance made for ecclesiastical jockeying. It behooves Malta to bring its legal structure more in line with similar statutes now observed by the EU.
The second need to propel Malta onwards, is meeting or exceeding the ever rising standards of universal education, to secure broader accreditation for its secondary and university graduates by other institutes of learning located abroad, particularly throughout the EU. Malta has made remarkable progress over the past fifty years towards educating its young, without requiring qualification of family income or the ability to pay tuition and other school costs. Mass public education is the proud legacy of Dom Mintoff, Malta's Prime Minister under the labor party. While the teaching of the Maltese language perpetuates Malta's heritage and is of unquestionable sentimental value, there is growing concern that the quality of English comprehension and verbal dexterity have suffered a notch downwards, in spite of it being the formal language of instruction in Maltese schools. The culprit it seems is the growing exposure of Italian TV to which all youngsters are exposed at an increasingly early age on a daily basis. In searching for a solution care must be taken not to discourage multi-lingualism in a nation whose citizens are much at ease mastering foreign tongues. Yet, local school authorities are duty bound to protect the integrity of instructional English to enable scholastic excellence in Maltese students seeking advanced education abroad, particularly within the closed EU Ed system.
The third critical consideration facing Malta is its reactivation of membership within the EU. There is no question that valuable time has been lost since Dr. Sant's unilaterally concluded two years ago Malta would be better served if it retained its independence. Time will tell how well Malta will be received by a spurned "lover". Already it is known Malta may not be admitted to the first wave of candidate nations hoping to start negotiations before year-end. Who is to say at this stage how many more surprises or set-backs are in store for Malta, thanks to Dr. Sant's convoluted vision of its future standing at arm's distance from the EU. Odds are it will have to pay a higher price for admission now that the discount season is over. Already storm clouds are gathering over the horizon. The EU is insisting that in unfreezing its EU membership application Malta's president Eddie Fenech Adami must concurrently show clear proof that the Maltese people will remain firmly in favor of union, regardless of which political party will be in power. This iron clad assurance can only be settled through yet another referendum, if only because it need be decided without party affiliation .. An overwhelming vote favoring the EU will send a clear and irreversible message of Malta's desire for assimilation with mother Europe, a merging super power strong enough to counter American dominance in global military power and commercial ventures. As an editorial in the Malta Independent recently concluded, EU membership is an absolute imperative if Malta is to progress. The prospects of an alternative no vote is so outrageous as to not provoke contemplation.
E-mail to Joseph Vella: joevella@prodigy.net
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