TMID Editorial: Progress and the power citizens hold
During her Christmas message, President of Malta Myriam Spiteri Debono highlighted the importance of citizens doing their part in the protection of various elements in the country."Those in leadership must take into account all the factors of the eff
During her Christmas message, President of Malta Myriam Spiteri Debono highlighted the importance of citizens doing their part in the protection of various elements in the country.
"Those in leadership must take into account all the factors of the effects of progress on the country. However, all of us Maltese and Gozitan citizens must also recognize that it is our duty to do our part. We must dedicate ourselves to our daily work, care about what is happening around us and about our fellow citizens, particularly those in need and facing difficulties. The safeguarding of the natural and urban environment, the open spaces and the countryside, the sustainability of economic and infrastructural growth, and the protection of fundamental rights are important elements, and it is us citizens who should be the first to defend them," she said.
Youths and the next generations, she said, will have the role of creating mechanisms to ensure that Malta and the rest of the world become increasingly sustainable. There is the need to ensure that progress is not turned into regress, she said.
The President's message is one that merits reflection. We elect our representatives who, in turn, take decisions on behalf of the people, for the nation.
Taking the environmental aspect she mentioned, sadly over the years politicians have not done enough to safeguard our environment, and the result is the Malta we have today, filled with traffic, the uglification of localities, the loss of character for towns and villages, excess tables and chairs occupying public spaces, and the list goes on. Is the path we are on leading to a Malta that is sustainable?
Over the years there has also been an increase in activism. Protests have taken place over mega developments, citizens have banded together to file objections to applications they feel would negatively impact an area. Now more than ever politicians need to listen to the people, as the amount of die hards who would vote for either of the two major political parties no matter what is less than what it once was. People have the power to hold politicians to account through their votes.
In addition, there have also been instances where placing enough public pressure on politicians through peaceful demonstations, writing on social media and speaking to politicians to bring about change has done just that.
One can take the launching of the Jean Paul Sofia public inquiry as one such example.
If we are to ensure a Malta that future generations can enjoy living in, then it is up to all of its citizens to work towards that goal. From the environmental point of view, it needs to start by introducing stricter legislation to regulate the style of development, the greater protection of green areas and of heritage buildings and their surroundings, and the creation of more green open spaces in localities. The government has been talking about protecting the environment more than it used to, but there is so much more that needs to be done.
The power citizens have is there. When an issue comes along that causes widespread concern, politicians take note. This is why it is so very important to keep up to date with what is going on in the country and to speak up when feeling that a bad decision is being taken.
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