Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1356256
NEWS 9 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 28 MARCH 2021 Soft power: forum for Maltese diaspora 'experts' proposed JAMES DEBONO DESPITE its long history of emigration, Malta has rarely nurtured its own diaspora com- munities with few figures of prominence carrying the name of their ancestors' origin onto the world stage. Exceptions could include prominent figures like the United States' transport sec- retary Pete Buttigieg, a former Democratic candidate for the presidential nomination. Yet few are the names whose per- sona could nurture Malta's global influence and soft pow- er in a way which compensates for small size and limited clout. This may now change with the Council for Maltese Liv- ing Abroad currently chaired by Foreign Minister Evarist Bartolo making a number of interesting proposals aimed at networking Malta's diaspora communities. Bartolo has proposed a fo- rum for Maltese experts living abroad, which will be also open to the general public in Malta itself. The forum will be tasked with forging a sense of national identity and collaboration be- tween Maltese "who have made a name abroad". The forum will then "identify niches of opportunity for com- mon endeavours", enabling it to contribute "to a vision of a future Malta… as an active contributor in both the region- al and global level." The idea of a virtual network was proposed due to the diffi- culties of convening the Coun- cil of Maltese abroad every five years, with participation from especially second- and third-generation diaspora members declining over the years. Another idea is that of a "vir- tual forum" for young Maltese living abroad, as well as a 'Jien Malti' (I Am Maltese) cam- paign to address the decline of interest in community activi- ties among descendants of the original diaspora, in countries hosting large communities of migrants like Australia, the USA and Canada. The digital campaign will be based on vid- eo clips in which Maltese liv- ing abroad will speak about what actually makes them Maltese. Works are also in progress to cre- ate a digital plat- form for the teaching of the Maltese l a n g u a g e . M e m b e r s of the coun- cil noted t h a t c u r - rent courses offered by the University were too expensive to entice third-generation Mal- tese who have lost touch with their language. But the Council's report notes various instances in which lo- cal authorities have scoffed at requests by the Council to en- hance the link with communi- ties abroad. For example a pro- posal to h a v e the 8 o'clock TVM news avail- able on the PBS on-demand platform – so that Maltese living in Australia can follow Maltese news at a time of their convenience – still has not been taken up, even if it is be- ing considered. Another proposal awaiting implementation is that of hav- ing subtitles for the news in a way which makes it accessible for younger generations of the diaspora community. The Council also held discus- sions on the possibility of cre- ating an e-ID for Maltese living abroad through which they can access government services. Identity Malta has not exclud- ed this but described the re- quest as a complicated one, as it would require an additional cost and the creation of new software to cater for a new tier of people who are technically not eligible for an ID card. The Planning Authority has also shot down a request to start informing Maltese emi- grants about any planning applications presented in the vicinity of prop- erty they own in Mal- ta. The PA replied that these can still access planning documents on the PA's digital information sys- tem, even if access to plans requires an E-ID. Another issue dis- cussed by the Coun- cil is the declining cohort of clerics serv- ing in the diaspora. But a call for expression of interest issued by the Mal- tese Curia has not been suc- cessful. Moreover since the church faces a similar prob- lem at home, it is unlikely that more Maltese priests will be willing to serve in other coun- tries. Forum of Maltese experts living abroad will be expected to come up with a vision for Malta's global contribution in 'network of expertise' Maltese stock and Maltese stars. Front, kneeling, Maltese film star Marama Corlett, and right, the voice of Malta, tenor Joseph Calleja. From left, second-generation Maltese: Australian comedian and television star Shaun Micallef, US transport secretary Pete Buttigieg, former UK Lord Chief Justice Igor Judge, and American judge and novelist Rosemarie Aquilina Bartolo has proposed a forum for Maltese experts living abroad, tasked with forging a sense of national identity and collaboration between Maltese "who have made a name abroad"