Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1542981
THE Manoel Island: Post Għalina campaign launched its vision for Manoel Island last week, craft- ed by over 70 participants in five workshops. Together these par- ticipants spent over 200 collec- tive hours thinking, discussing and envisioning what a park on the island would look like. One core idea emerged: Manoel Island should continue to offer refuge and rest from the busy and chaotic surroundings of urban living that impact our quality of life. All participants expressed a deep desire—perhaps better described as a need—for Manoel Island to be a serene oasis of relative tran- quility amidst the growing urban agglomeration constituting the northern coast of Marsamxe- tt Harbour. No other point was raised as frequently or expressed in such consistent terms. If anything can sum up what people want to see and experience at Manoel Island, it is an 'escape' from the city-like character of the surrounding area—a place char- acterised by and conducive to rest, recreation and peace. Participants described such a refuge as an essential counterbal- ance to the construction, traffic and commercial activities that dominate the rest of the area and generate constant 'noise', affect- ing both quality of life and mental health. In this context, Manoel Island's central position surrounded by the sea, sweeping views, cultural heritage, ecological richness, and the very absence of construction, traffic and commercial activities serves to evoke a sense of separa- tion from that 'noise'. Manoel Island and its status as a safe refuge from urban 'noise' is therefore vital to the more than 150,000 people for whom it is the closest such space. It is equally vi- tal in alleviating the environmen- tal and social pressures caused by the north harbour area's emer- gence as a hub of economic de- velopment, and a key residential, commercial and touristic zone. The exercise made one thing clear—preserving and improving the capacity for Manoel Island to serve a role as a serene public space is the key consideration and guiding principle for any plans about its future. The natural emergence of a new consensus around Manoel Island's future is exemplified in Prime Minister Robert Abela's words, capturing the spirit of this shared vision for a Manoel Is- land Park: "A green jewel which is dominated by nature instead of concrete. A simple place that can serve as a green lung in the heart of Malta where families can go to relax, do physical activity, take their pets, and allow their children to play freely. That is what I envi- sion: children playing and having fun with their families." The prime minister's words cut to the heart of what a safe refuge from urban 'noise' means, in re- al terms, for the people who will benefit from the government's de- cision to take Manoel Island back into public hands and turn it into a national heritage park. We can confidently assert that his vision is shared not only by the Manoel Island: Post Għalina cam- paign, but by every participant in the five workshops conducted. Such a vision cannot however, become reality without careful design. Workshop participants put forward several suggestions for how the physical space can be managed and curated by encapsu- lating four overarching values and two fundamental approaches. The first value is free and safe ac- cess for all. Prioritising pedestrian access and limiting car use creates a space which is inviting and safe for everyone, from young children to the elderly. The second is the integration of wellbeing and health, promoting physical, emotional, and mental health, allowing the community to reconnect and contribute to holis- tic wellbeing. The third value is the preserva- tion of cultural memory, standing in stark contrast to the exploita- tion and transformation of spaces for commercial gain, and instead honouring community relation- ships with the space, as well as a knowledge-sharing approach with respect to the rich natural and cul- tural heritage the island presents. The fourth is respect for ecolog- ical systems, respecting the natu- ral life that exists on the island by restoring ecosystem processes, re- moving invasive alien species, and protecting indigenous flora and fauna. To achieve these goals, work- shop participants called for two approaches to the park's design and stewardship. One approach is to focus on community guardianship and en- forcement, so that active partic- ipation in the park's stewardship ensures local voices and a sense of "ownership" shape the island's future. The other is to instil a non-com- mercial identity, with visitors able to enjoy and interact freely within a space that is inclusive and sen- sitive to community needs, used in ways that are in line with the island's core values. The Manoel Island: Post Għalina campaign is calling on the public to explore this vision and ask that it be taken up by the authorities. To do so you can participate in the public consultation at https:// parksinmalta.mt/have-your-say/ and attach the Manoel Island: Post Għalina vision document, which explains the workshops' proposals in more detail. We also invite you to add your own comments and experiences so that Manoel Island Park reflects the communities it is intended to serve. 6 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 1 FEBRUARY 2026 OPINION Josef Florian Micallef Moviment Graffitti activist Manoel Island Park: A serene refuge in the Marsamxett area Nigel Vella PL election candidate Of leadership, humility and 'experts' I followed the interview Na- tionalist Party leader Alex Borg had with Jon Mallia on Il-Każin. From the way he contributed to the programme's promotional build-up, I had the impression Alex Borg would be well pre- pared. I was expecting a good performance. What happened, however, could not have been more different. For many, myself included, this was an interview that left a bitter aftertaste and raised seri- ous questions about his leader- ship qualities. Instead of using the interview as an opportunity to present a clear vision, it ex- posed serious shortcomings. Throughout the discussion, Borg repeatedly appeared un- prepared on several impor- tant subjects. Members of the audience were captured in- stinctively cringing with disap- pointment and concern when listening to his arguments. Direct questions about issues affecting the public, such as transport and the situation of foreign workers, were met with superficial answers. Instead of offering clear solutions, Borg kept repeating generic state- ments about "boards" and "ex- perts". As I listened, I was reminded of two things: How often had Alex Borg himself proclaimed that he was ready to become prime minister; and of what it truly means to be prepared. It was self-evident that when Borg was confronted with facts, instead of showing polit- ical maturity and responding honestly, he continued to deny the obvious and blamed every- one but himself. This was most clear when he was questioned about his statements on towers in Gozo and on generic medi- cines. Rather than admitting mistakes or explaining calmly, the Opposition leader adopted a defensive and arrogant atti- tude. This behaviour shows a lack of humility—an essential qual- ity for any leader who wishes to be credible and respected. People expect a leader who can listen, learn, and admit when they are wrong. Unfortunately, on il-Każin, Borg was the com- plete opposite. His performance stirred pan- ic within the Nationalist Party. As the show's impact began to spread, Borg mobilised loyal- ists to rush to his defence on social media. This attempt re- vealed more desperation and anxiety. It is becoming increasingly clear that what should be the party's strongest element—its leader—is fast becoming an- other liability, if not its worst one. Instead of being a source of inspiration and trust, the head of the PN is becoming a source of concern. Unfortu- nately, for the PN and for Mal- ta, Borg is becoming the next iteration of his predecessors. Another PN leader, the sixth within the space of a few years, who cannot present himself as a viable option for prime min- ister. While I do not particularly enjoy focusing too much on the PN, this analysis is neces- sary. It must be carried out and it must also be done in contrast with what exists on the politi- cal flipside. In recent weeks, the need for wisdom and strength in leader- ship emerged. Prime Minister Robert Abela was involved in two important EU summits, where he not only successfully defended Malta's interests on a loan to Ukraine but also pri- oritised the national interest when faced with other delicate decisions. In these turbulent times, the country needs competence and direction—and today, these are assurances that only a Labour government led by Robert Ab- ela can provide. We also invite you to add your own comments and experiences so that Manoel Island Park reflects the communities it is intended to serve