Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1536636
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 22 JUNE 2025 THIS IS A PAID COLLABORATION What about the future? They say knowing where you want to go in life is half the battle. When you know, you can put all your energy and passion, all your hard work into getting there. The same is true for coun- tries. wwwSince we became an inde- pendent republic, a people free to choose our own path, we have barely lifted our heads from the work of building the nation that we have become today. It hasn't always been easy, but we have built it together. Malta Vision 2050 is our chance as a people to look ahead together at the future and once again deter- mine where we want to go, and what kind of country we want to live in. Since the start of the consulta- tion process, it has been clear that while we know that eco- nomic development is important for our future, it cannot be the only measure of success. Instead, the vision that has emerged is one of "A safe and resilient Nation, inspired by heritage and driven by progress, fostering a healthy quality of life for all." These are the words of citizens from all over Malta and Gozo – they are the words of young and old, business owners and workers. They are the words of unions, political parties and stakeholders in civil society. They transcend politics and state the ambition of an entire nation. It is not for me or indeed any politi- cian to explain them – instead we as individual citizens, along with every part of Maltese socie- ty, must understand them, agree on them, and work until they are realised. What has touched me most about the responses so far has been our strong sense of identity as a nation. We have much to be proud of; our own language, a rich culture, and a preserved na- tional heritage that spans millen- nia. Those who have worked to preserve this identity since our birth as a nation are owed not only a debt of gratitude, but the peace of mind that their work will continue safe in the hands of future generations. In truth, we all know that our iden- tity is itself a tapestry – to the trained ear, our language has as many distinct dialects as we have villages and towns. And just as we must protect our sense of national identity, I am reminded that our local identities require that same care in preservation and cultivation. What the future of Local Coun- cils will be is up to all of us. What I can say from experience is that the dedication of all local Councillors - irrespective of their political beliefs – fills me with real pride in us as a country. They are guardians of our communities, making them stronger and protecting what makes them special. However, activism doesn't always have to be political, it can involve being part of your local band club, as a volunteer for your village feast, or part of your local church. More progressive thinking is already starting to shape our future, and it fills me with hope and optimism for my children. Sustainability, quality of life and well-being have continuously been mentioned, all pointing to a future where balance is more important than ever. Perhaps what I am proudest of is that this consultation provides us with an opportunity to hear and under- stand each other, and with a common understanding, commit to the road ahead. Seeing the next generation become involved in our culture and traditions tells me that we are on the right track for the future. But young people are not blindly following in our footsteps, they innovate and change. They bring new values to our communities and chal- lenge us to improve. How we measure our quality of life is one of those changes that we need to think about, and we need to do it at a local level as well as at the national level. "A safe and resilient Nation, inspired by heritage and driven by progress, fostering a healthy quality of life for all" – what do these words mean to you? A public consultation process is underway where you as a citizen are invited to express what your vision of the future is, where we should be going, and what life might be like 25 years from now. Help shape the country you want to live in by sharing your views at envision2050.gov.mt Photo: Alan Saliba