POLITICS IN ACTION: LISTEN – PLAN – SUCCEED
Human populations are becoming increasingly urban. Understanding urban Maltese life can offer the state, the private sector, and the third sector a unique perspective on planning and implementing culturally sensitive policies informed by research and designing inclusive infrastructure and national policies that seek to attain human flourishing.
I am committed to developing a unique vision for Malta and Gozo. This is a vision for a national system that puts people proactively at the centre, where their needs, wants and aspirations are at the heart of every policy across government sectors.
In the spirit of solidarity, inclusion, reciprocity, and mutual learning, collectively, we can foster inclusive social transformation that can be shaped and accessed equitably by all peoples. Therefore, I am committed to seeking dialogue with all to represent the diverse voices and perspectives of Maltese society.
The key to this way of doing politics is to listen carefully to people to be able to translate their needs and aspirations. However, that is not enough. What matters is the way these diverse needs are translated, weaved and implemented into successful outcomes, measures and policies.
My Vision for Malta and Gozo
Social justice is the basis for a thriving, resilient, and happy society. The five guiding principles below are at the core of my vision for Malta and will be applied throughout my actions to plan and develop:
- ENABLING AND INCLUSIVE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT INTEGRATES BUT DOES NOT ASSIMILATE
- A regulated planning system. Infrastructure needs to be reinstated back into our indigenous ecological ecosystem. It requires a holistic vision with good building standards that put people at the centre.
- Safety. Neighbourhoods that provide safe spaces and public amenities to enable and support our diverse communities.
- Greening of urban zones. Provide urban green pockets in neighbourhoods that can provide leisure to our diverse community.
- Diversification of the housing sector. Housing requires an in-depth and longitudinal demographic study and a GIS-mapping system to build an observatory to better understand the relationship between social, affordable and private accommodation.
- Public investment in social and affordable housing. The provision of an integrated service combined with an overall investment in social and affordable housing aims to counteract poverty and hidden hohomelessness.
2. INCLUSIVE SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION THAT IS COMMITTED TO DIALOGUE WITH ALL
- Planning policies require restructuring and an update on what the family constitutes today and how architects, planners and developers should design and build modern homes and neighbourhoods.
- Green Infrastructure. Promoting accessible, aesthetically pleasing and open public spaces to ensure a positive sense of collective wellbeing.
- Gender equality. Promoting and strengthening social protection to reduce inequalities and inequities.
3. A JUST REDISTRIBUTION BASED ON A WELL-BEING ECONOMY
- Resilience to ensure a creative and sustainable economy. Maltese society is innately resilient. We need to take this creative entrepreneurial aspect seriously to ensure better productivity through better work-life balance and flexible working arrangements.
- Mental Health. Care support is crucial to building a resilient nation. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on our wellbeing. Hence it is vital that we invest further in our mental health systems, to increase access to and availability of mental health services in community healthcare centres and at work.
- Art and culture as a public good and public investment. More public investment in the art and cultural sector, especially as Malta is currently restructuring its national art strategy, will provide new opportunities to professionalise and open up to an international audience.
- Investment in the local agricultural and fishery industries.
4. DIGNITY AND A HUMAN-RIGHTS BASED APPROACH TO ALL POLICIES
- Putting people at the centre. The state is there to serve society. Hence the dignity, needs and rights of all persons ought to remain central to our national vision.
- Digitalisation. Through digital platforms, there is the opportunity to enhance accessibility and reach out to communities who would otherwise be marginalised.
5. CONTINUAL AND MEANINGFUL ENGAGEMENT TO TRANSCEND SILO-ISM
- Civic platform. Establishing a platform where civil society can voice its experiences to inform government policies.
- Strengthening links across sectors. Engagement is key to facilitating communication to achieve long-term trusted relations between government, stakeholders and communities.
6. COMPASSIONATE AND PROACTIVE LEADERSHIP
- Compassionate and proactive leadership. By listening, understanding and communicating with peers, we will develop organisational structures that are transparent, just and equal.
- Research-based policies. Compassionate leadership is only successful when we co-create and we translate needs into sensitive policies.
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