Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/380554
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 14 SEPTEMBER 2014 Opinion 22 T his week saw an important development in European politics – the formation of the Juncker Commission. Meanwhile, Simon Busuttil declared that the Opposition will be supporting Karmenu Vella's nomination at the European Parliament – proof once again of the Opposition's positive contribution. The Opposition's support comes notwithstanding the fact that Prime Minister Joseph Muscat failed to inform, let alone consult, and totally ignored the Opposition prior to making this nomination public. Things worked out differently in Tonio Borg's case and Joseph Muscat should have known better – it is he who had been consulted by former Prime Minister Gonzi prior to mak- ing the nomination public. In any case, the Nationalist Op- position is in it to make things differ- ent, to contribute even if it had been treated otherwise. Scotland's yes or no You see, history does not always repeat itself. In Mel Gibson's film, Braveheart, a production favouring Scottish independence, the King of England marched in on the Scots to regain lost territory by force. Earlier this week, British Prime Minister David Cameron visited Scotland in a much less arrogant way, trying to persuade, but close to begging the Scots, to vote against independence. His visit, accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Opposition Leader Ed Miliband, seems to have been an orchestrated last minute attempt to persuade the majority of Scots. In truth, Scottish independence will come at a price. The European Union has already stated in no un- certain terms, that an independent Scotland would need to reapply for EU membership. On the other hand, an independent Scotland with the British pound could create far-reach- ing sovereignty problems. I will not be dragged into whether Scotland should be independent. This is a matter for the Scots to decide. With a few days to go for Scotland's independence referendum, the pres- sure is on as for the first time the Yes campaign seems to have surpassed those against. If anyone thought the British Empire's collapse was over, they ought to think again. That is, if this referendum makes it through. The threat is still on This week marked the 13th anni- versary of the September 11 attacks – an event that ended the lives of 3,000 people. The threat of terror has transformed from Al Qaeda into a new group – Islamic State. For a moment, it seems our world can never settle down in peace. President Obama has pledged to train and arm friendly rebels in Iraq and Syria, where it is reported the ISIL have made substantial gains. What is worrying is the fact that a number of European and American extremists have joined ISIL. This is a new concept for the way in which terrorists have worked so far. The engagement of western nationals with ISIL makes the penetration of terror in Europe and America much more plausible. It will certainly prove to be more difficult to hunt down and pinpoint terrorists, as now they have become one of us, with unre- stricted travel rights. While Obama has pledged to eradicate and destroy ISIL, his will probably be a mission that extends beyond his current presidency mandate. This mission has au- thorised the targeted bombing of terrorist posts in Syria and Iraq. While its primary target will be that of undermining ISIL, it will have other secondary effects. In Syria, it will help the rebel forces in securing their positions, halt the advance of the Assad regime, and possibly pave the way for an advance. Syria's civil war has now entered its third year, with the United Nations declaring a death toll of almost 200,000, mostly civilians and rebels opposing the Assad regime. Obama's authorisation of targeted military strikes in Syria is thus in a way, a departure from his previous policy strategies. We have seen him reluctant to act against the Assad re- gime, when the latter was backed by Russia and following evidence that the regime had used chemical weap- ons of mass destruction. Obama kept a step back then, but did not hesitate to act now. One reason for this es- calation in policy could relate to the fact that Assad did not offer perhaps a direct threat to international and American security, as did ISIL. When the subject of terror crops up, I cannot understand how many associate or assimilate ISIL terror- ists' actions with Islam. If the terror- ists are Muslims, they certainly do not represent the Muslim religion. Some basic form of knowledge on the Muslim religion, or perhaps hav- ing spent some time in the company of a Muslim friend, would suffice to appreciate the distinction between the two. This is essential for the Western world to understand. We all believe in a day when all the citizens of the world can live together. For that to happen – hopefully some day it will – it is necessary to put aside our misconceptions and prejudices based on religion. At the same time, we cannot be naïve – surely this will not suffice as long as there remains some form of evil. Ryan Callus is Opposition spokesperson for planning and simplification I n March of last year, the German Ministry for Education convened through the German Reading Association (Stiftung Lesen) an urgent international conference in Leipzig of Early Literacy experts from all over the world (including from Malta) on: 'Prepare for Life! Raising Awareness for Early Literacy Education'. This was done in view of the poor results obtained in literacy by European youths on international assessments. Germany fared better than Malta. The international Leipzig conference recognised the UNESCO definition of literacy as 'the ability to identify, understand, interpret, create, communicate, compute and use printed and written materials associated with varying contexts. Literacy involves a continuum of learning in enabling individuals to achieve their goals, to develop their knowledge and potential, and to participate fully in their community and wider society.' The Leipzig conference developed a whole set of recommendations on how to improve Early Literacy Education (ELE). Based on the assumption that ELE is a prerequisite for any kind of skill acquisition, it is important to recognise that early literacy is much more than learning the alphabet. Having considered all aspects of ELE, the Leipzig Conference called for the full involvement of all relevant partners: Politicians and Policy Makers: • Poor literacy skills lead to impoverished lives and have an economic impact on countries. There is a need to break the vicious circle that passes illiteracy from generation to generation. A central task for politicians and policy makers is to embed ELE programmes into their education and social systems. • Politicians must ensure appropriate and long lasting financial resources for all necessary partners, including, of course, libraries. • ELE needs a cross-departmental approach, becoming part of the remit of several ministries such as those responsible for health, education and social issues. • Those involved in ELE policy- making must be aware that many policies will need up to 20 years to embed and develop; therefore ELE must be planned independently of legislation periods. Donors and Fundraisers: • We must make the case to decision makers and funders that ELE is crucial for education and society and that investment will yield long-term returns. • ELE work must be broadened by strengthening networks and gaining access to target groups through all, even non-educational institutions. • The economic relevance of early childhood makes it a core interest of companies, corporations, employers' organisations and others in the private sector who may sponsor and support ELE and so invest in children and their education. Professionals: • There is a need for cooperation and interaction between all involved in ELE whatever the gaps between social and educational levels. • Early childhood teachers, librarians and other professionals have a huge responsibility; we expect from them the highest standards and in return they must be paid appropriately. Only then can we create, keep and cultivate motivation and quality. • Libraries play a crucial role in ELE and should be welcoming places giving space and resources to families, including the very youngest children. The training of librarians must reflect their growing role in ELE. • Training of professionals should adapt new technologies to the needs in early childhood education. This means including research and development of media literacy and digital literacy into training programmes. Volunteers: • Early literacy education is a task for the entire society. The responsibility cannot be passed on fully to families and educational institutions. This means strengthening the role of volunteers. • The integration of volunteers should not be perceived as an economic substitute for professionals. Their work is complementary and supplementary to formal education. • The value of volunteers lies in their ability to talk to target groups too often out of the reach of official channels. Honoraries should be trained and supported in their dealings with these hard-to-reach families. • Volunteers bring personal commitment, and motivation to ELE. Training will strengthen their role and give impact to their work. Families: • Parents and carers are a child's first teachers, thus their integration into ELE programmes is central to their success. Outside institutions alone will not do the job. • ELE has to begin as early as the birth of the child within the families. The popular understanding of 'early' is not early enough. ELE within families should permanently focus on children's perspectives and development and take into account the needs, interests, and developmental level of the child. • Empowering parents and carers must be a central task in improving literacy. This means raising awareness of themselves as role models in using language, communication and media, and encouraging them to be active in helping their children learn more about language and literacy by talking with their children and reading aloud to them every day. • Parents should be empowered to provide a home rich in words and stories, and to inspire children to speak, to sing, to play, to move and to communicate. According to the cultural and social parameters in different countries, this should include all media used in the families and their surroundings. Society: • Reading promotion needs awareness in all parts of society: politics, economy including campaigning at a large scale. Campaigning needs a wide range of partners and a defined benefit for all. • Networks among health care institutions, social organisations, marginalised groups, churches Ryan Callus Evarist Bartolo Early literacy: everyone's responsibility Changing times Syria has been ravaged by the years-long civil war