CYBER-MALTA !?

Is `Merhba' an appropriate start ? I suppose so. And judging from previous styles used on this web page it is probably a mandatory start. So here goes - MERHBA ! to all travellers on the Malta route. I have read through the MaltaScapes submitted to date and have thoroughly enjoyed reading about my island home. I have even felt rather proud of the fact that we are finally on the Web. However, I have also felt somewhat disappointed by the level of engagement which we have attempted to date though I can also understand the emotive gush which tempts us to hit the keyboard with the unrestrained passion of Maltese people who have lived abroad. The wonderful scenes of Maltese sunsets and free-flowing wine are much appreciated. But I think that this is not what the Maltaweb should be all aboutWe have, here, an exciting tool which has the potential to change the way we think and relate with Malta. Not only on an emotional level but also on an economic, social and perhaps political front as well. Internet could change Malta in the same way television brought substantial changes in the 1960=B9s provided some clear thinking takes place now in order to set the right discourse for this forum. Will we get it right ? Or are we witnessing the birth of a CyberBugibba ?Personally speaking, I am fascinated by this opportunity to get in touch and explore real issues. Whatever they may be. We all t each other in Malta (population 350,000) - at least we think we do . But what about the diaspora ? What are their experiences ? Who and where are they ? Why do they consider themselves Maltese ? Can we at last tap into the wealth of experience which Maltese emigrants have accumulated over the years ? This is what I think the Web is about. Finally, we can challenge some very basic questions:

1. What is a SyberMalti (Is that spelling acceptable ?!) Are we at the stage where we can claim that the Maltese race is not bound by geography ? What are the religious, social, political beliefs of a SyberMalti ? Eventually, will a SyberMalti be given the vote ? Why not ? I am probably more aware of what happens in Malta than many other people. Or is the vote merely a reflection of citizens who pay taxes (in which case a number of interesting questions could be raised!). Is a SyberCitizen out of the question, say in 20 years time ? Or is a SyberMalti something altogether different ? An expression of shared culture, literature, experience and desires which no vote can ever replace ?

2. Is a SyberMalti any different from the rest of the clan ? It seems to me that we are different already by virtue of being `enfranchised' once we have access to the Internet. At this moment in time I am told that Internet connections from Malta to the rest of the world is non-existent. (what a shame- wake up TeleMalta). If this is truly so, that makes us a very small group of `interested people' - though with a very wealthy cultural and educational background. What a wonderful opportunity to `set the tone' ! What `tone' should we set ?

3. Can we utilise this medium more effectively for educational purposes in Malta ? I believe that we must. If by `education' we have a rather holistic view encompassing all aspects of Maltese development then it is clear that this medium is presently being severely under-utilised. Likewise for business purposes, if that is your main interest in life.It should be possible initially to get a list of all Maltese academics working abroad and hence to see if we can pool resources. Can I propose a web page for this purpose and/or submission of details to my E-Mail address ?

4. Can we utilise this medium for more constructive social exchange ?So this is our cyberpjazza ! Our Kazin ! Property of those who feel that they belong. All Maltese Wannabees wherever you may be. Can we make an effort to ensure that the web does not became yet another piece of Maltese heritage to be exploited by the NTOM ? (I fear that we may already be hurtling down that road with some of our rather wistful writings to date). If tourists want to read about our history, culture and what-not, perhaps the NTOM can provide a purpose-designed page ? Not this one !

This is the where the extended family comes home at the end of a hard day's work in Washington, Sydney, Valletta or London. This is where Frances Ebejer's `Kos' can fly his kite (Requiem for a Malta Fascist), where Charles Camilleri's music becomes a Xandir Malta jingle all over again and where our compatriot Edward Debono becomes yet another `Eddie' or `Dwardu' rather than the intellectual global colossus he is. This is, hopefully, the place where Maltese giants can speak to mere Maltese mortals of a cool cyber-evening under the shadow of a an electronic carob tree. Tislijiet !