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MALTATODAY 19 May 2019

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OPINION 30 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 19 MAY 2019 Robert Micallef Robert Micallef is a PL candidate for the European elections THE Maltese people's innate bilingual- ism has been the secret of their survival in times of war and empire-building, from the epochs of the Romans and Carthagenians, the Arabs, the princes of Europe, the Knights, the French and, as fate would have it, the British coloni- alists. Their ability to speak another language other than their own native tongue helped in no small way to win them rights and privileges often denied to other, much bigger subdued nations. Fast-forward to independent Malta, still credited with the linguistic gift that centuries of domination had instilled into it. Privileged to have mustered the use of the English language, Malta has, through the many years since the mid- 1960s, been able to face a brave new world already moving towards the Eng- lish international standard. The shift has, particularly with the introduction of Internet, become a universal tool one is advised to use in so many different sectors of life, from trade and commu- nication to technology and innovation. Where does this leave our national language? Some would say on the wayside, others believe Maltese has proved itself to be so resilient that it can still happily be referred to as a key element of our identity as a nation. The language question today is, truly, about whether this reality can be retained in an emerging cosmopolitan Malta. It is here where the experts and the pundits split into opposing camps, but they are united over one special aspect of the issue – the importance of safeguard- ing Maltese as the national language at both local and European levels. The Maltese language is one of the Eu- ropean Union's official languages, and hence its use there – and in the world of politics and at religious and social events – is part of that very process of safeguarding it. So much good work has been carried out since Malta's accession in 2004, suffice to mention the incred- ible output achieved, sometimes against all odds, in the fields of legal document translation, simultaneous interpretation and other linguistic services. Our MEPs have, most times, shown a welcome fondness for the use of Maltese in their regular interven- tions inside the European Parliament and elsewhere, but it is the everyday use of the language at home that can guarantee the survival of our national language. Statistics have, time after time, confirmed that the majority of the Maltese people, unlike the case of some other small languages in Europe, still speak and write Maltese despite their ability to communicate as well and as efficiently in English. Again, it is that bilingual pridilec- tion which continues to give Malta its advantage when it comes to attracting foreign investors, as we are experienc- ing at this moment in time of economic boom. However, it is a benefit that is being seriously challenged as more and more nations opt to include English as part of the basis supporting their educa- tional set-up. It is with this sombre realisation that we need to look into making sure that while we insist on the importance of the national language and the beautiful literature that has grown around it over the centuries, a sense of direction and logical persuasion need to prevail. The appreciation of our language and literature is part of the privilege and pleasure associated with bilingualism, as it has been throughout our history. It should not be taken as a source of con- testation, but a formidable tool in the search of new opportunities, particu- larly in the innovative sectors such as IT, finance and eGaming as well as the new, IT-driven industries. It is, no doubt, a balancing act, suc- cessful only if practised and executed professionally and wisely in the big and wide open market of world trade. Malta's ongoing success since 2013 is rightly attributed to the new way of tackling the many challenges of that same world market, of better exploit- ing EU funds and of not being afraid, as a nation, to be innovative and a trail- blazer. Positive results abound to this very day. Safeguarding the national language will continue to be a prerequisite, as will be the need to strengthen our bi- lingualism – a more realistic picture of what one can safely refer to as, yes, the language question. Safeguarding our language in Europe INNOVATION is imperative. Very few, if any, will contest this statement, which is complex despite its brevity. What does it mean to be innovative, espe- cially within the context of the Maltese islands' future? Innovation is a state of mind; a prin- ciple ingrained in our ideas, which in turn needs to be put into action. When considering the industrial future that lies ahead, we must recognise the impor- tance of taking advantage of all possible opportunities and propose solutions for potential challenges. It is through continued dialogue that policy makers, industry stakeholders, trade unions and constituted bodies can ensure that our economies are future-proof and that Malta transcends onto the next level. As a policy-maker, it is my responsibil- ity to see that our economic sectors are both productive and competitive. This is achievable if we work in tandem with the private sector, to be able to attract the right investment that can sustain our economic strength and prepare our workforce accordingly. Having a skilled workforce is quintes- sential. Innovation does not only entail embracing the latest technological developments, but also making sure that technical abilities are given due importance. We need to reconsider the presence of technical schools, so that students who are technically inclined are educated in the best ways possible. We must focus on students who will be employed in ten years' time and who will contribute to our economy. They must be equipped with the necessary tools for learning, in order to be able to find good quality employment. I want to have an education system that collaborates more with our industries, so that our students can gain first-hand experience in differ- ent sectors, learn how industries work and be in a better position to respond to a knowledge-based economy. The future is about innovation, but innovation requires constant invest- ment. The Maltese islands need more investment in research and development and further investment in ensuring that upcoming social challenges are tackled. We need to make sure that we increase financial investment in research and development and this must be coupled with access to financing, targeted educa- tional programmes, increased collabora- tion between researchers and partner- ships between universities, educational institutions, the public sector and the private sector. Further incentives and support to SMEs are key if we want our small and medium sized enterprises to expand their knowledge and invest in new systems. Digitisation should not be seen as a cost-cutting exercise, but as a measure that can help improve the effi- ciency and productivity of any company. Throughout this campaign and as part of my work as MEP, I have visited a number of companies in Malta, particu- larly manufacturing companies. This sector has proven to be innovative and internationally competitive, facilitated by the fact that we have industry players with considerable technical expertise and a well-educated and trained work- force. This is all the more important in view of the fact that we are living in an era of unprecedented economic growth. We recently learnt that Malta has recorded a third consecutive surplus. This is a confirmation that we have a robust economic growth. Now we need to make sure that, such economic growth is re-invested in our people, our communities and society. Moreover, the government announced plans to lay out a new and more efficient fibre optic link in Gozo. This is fundamental for Gozo-based companies that would like to invest further and a prime example that infra- structure is key if we want to continue sustaining a shift and a proper transition to the industry of the future. Innovation is key, not only because it ensures that we remain competitive, but also because in a country like ours, where land is scarce and size is limited, we need to make sure that we invest in the latest technological advance- ments and in innovative sectors. It is all about where we want to go as a nation and what kind of industries we want to attract. I believe that the future lies in industries that are specialised with a high value added. We are witnessing this with developments related to medical cannabis, blockchain and Artificial Intel- ligence. There is also a lot of potential when it comes to innovation in mobility and in- dustries related to it, including charging infrastructure, smart mobility, autono- mous driving and battery components. There is a lot of untapped potential in smart, clean and renewable energy. These are the industries of the future, which can help Malta continue growing and create jobs. Expansion is only possible if we invest in innovation, research and develop- ment, and this is why I believe in policy- making that promotes change. This is a change that we need to har- ness if want to ensure that our business- es, our workforce and our consumers keep on benefitting from the opportuni- ties that lie ahead. Innovation in Malta's next level Miriam Dalli Miriam Dalli is a Labour MEP and candidate

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