Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1475004
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 31 JULY 2022 13 COMMERCIAL Inclusion: why we still need to talk about it SEARCHING for and identi- fying the literal meaning of the word inclusion is a quite straightforward exercise: the dictionary indeed offers a pre- cise definition of the term, which represents "the action or state of including or of be- ing included within a group or structure". In this exact inter- pretation, the word inclusion is being deployed in many differ- ent subjects, from mathemat- ics to biology. It can be used in rhetoric but at the same time, it is a common expression in everyday language. However, difficulties arise when shifting the focus on the social dimension of the term: in such case, the word inclu- sion comes to signify "the prac- tice or policy providing equal access to opportunities and re- sources for people who might otherwise be excluded or mar- ginalised, such as those who have physical or mental disa- bilities and members of other minority groups". To translate into practice such expression, efforts and commitments are required and discrimination – the specific opposite of inclu- sion – based on race, gender, culture, religion, and disability needs to be overcome. Fully applying what can be labelled as the social side of inclusion is, therefore, a choice, a polit- ical one, which seems not to be considered in the current envi- ronment. In fact, according to the data compiled by the World Bank, 24% of the total population in Europe is at risk of poverty and exclusion. Widening the scope, the United Nations has warned that "girls and women of all ag- es with any form of disability are generally among the more vulnerable and marginalized of society". Discussions and debates are thus essential in order to estab- lish concrete actions and plans on how to achieve real inclu- sion. We still need to talk about it because there is still much to do, as the figures abovemen- tioned suggest. One occasion to tackle so- cial inclusion, in all its nu- anced perspectives, will be the Girls2Leaders webinar organ- ised on Wednesday, 27th of July, at 5pm on Zoom. Select- ed speakers will intervene on the theme, offering insights, and professional and personal views on how to include mar- ginalised individuals in social and political settings. Mem- bers of the audience will have the chance to ask questions, and engage in meaningful yet spontaneous exchanges. The overall objective of the webinar is to formulate a proposal – to be submitted to the relevant authorities – to forward inclu- sion in all circumstances. To participate in this webi- nar you are kindly requested to register through the following link - https://bit.ly/3tHbugE. The Girls2Leaders Campaign is a collaboration between Business and Professional Women (Valletta) Malta and the Malta Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society using as a roadmap BPW's Charter of the Girls' Rights. The campaign is being produced by members of the Children & Young Persons' Council within the Malta Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society and the Young BPW Europe. Seminary students visit Vassallo Business Park in Burmarrad VASSALLO Group founder Naz- zareno Vassallo spent a morning with the young generation, stu- dents from The Archbishop's Sem- inary touring one of the group's latest projects, the Vassallo Busi- ness Park located in Burmarrad. Around 60 students, aged be- tween 14 and 15 years, attending the Seminary visited the Business Park located in Burmarrad which will be hosting the logistic cen- tre one of Malta's largest and re- nownded supermarket chain in the coming months. During this visit the students were also given a tour of the PV panels on the roof, a €1 million investment which gen- erates 1.3MW of renewable solar energy, supplied by Powerezi, a Vassallo Group Subsidiary which was inaugurated a year ago by the Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Sustainable Development, Miriam Dalli. The students were also invited to visit Vassallo Group's Head office in Mosta to see the classic reno- vated truck at the reception area while Mr Vassallo also shared his journey of leading the Group for over 50 years. Undoubtedly it was an interesting storytelling session divulging tips on 'how to be a suc- cessful leader' followed by a Q&A discussion. The students were also treated to some food and drinks before returning back to their daily routine. Vassallo Group strongly believes in investing in the younger gener- ation and therefore fully supports these type of visits. For more information visit www. vassallobusinesspark.com Steward Health Care Malta invests in long-term FranklinCovey leadership training programme for all staff STEWARD Health Care Mal- ta has engaged one of the most trusted leadership training com- panies in the world, Franklin- Covey, to deliver its leadership and personal effectiveness devel- opment programme in a phased process that will involve every single member of staff over a five-year period. Phase one of this process start- ed on 1 July 2022 and lasts 12 months. The cohort involved in the first phase are the senior management team, 25 depart- mental heads and five trainers. In Phase two, which will be de- livered over the subsequent four years, the bespoke development programme will extend to all em- ployees of the hospitals. Last year, the senior manage- ment team attended a "7 Hab- its of Highly Effective People®" in-house work session, which will form a core part of the be- spoke training and development programme. The FranklinCov- ey content will also include a "Leading Customer Loyalty" pro- gramme. "Steward Malta is committed to reviewing, improving and invest- ing in all aspects of our organisa- tion, as we continue to make long- term, world class investments in Malta. We were highly impressed with FranklinCovey's approach and consider this a great way to strengthen our culture, operate at our best and deliver the superior care services that all the people of Malta and Gozo deserve," said Dr Nadine Delicata, President of Steward Health Care Malta. "This is a truly momentous de- cision by Steward Health Care to enable FranklinCovey to bring its powerful content around lead- ership, culture, communication and so much more throughout the organisation," said Malcolm Naudi, FranklinCovey Malta Managing Director.