Expats, your country needs you
Building a new life in a new country does not exonerate you from the responsibility to hold the government and politicians of the country you are from accountable for their actions.
Most may think that we are past the point of no return and that we are now at the mercy of international organisations, journalists, or the European Union.
We live in a global village where the acts and omissions of the respective government have an aggregate effect on the operations of the world at large. A country which facilitates money laundering of rich politicians from other countries is responsible for the decrease in the quality of life of the people who are being robbed. A politician who accepts kickbacks from a bidding company in a tender process is then bound by the demands of that company, irrespective of how cost-effective offers by other bidding companies are.
The weakening of democratic values in one state, the disrespect and the insults hurled towards journalists have a rippling effect over other countries. The work of any reputable investigative journalist would see them navigating international sources, links, and legislation. The single jurisdiction which makes investigation by journalists, and subsequently by authorities difficult, is impeding the search for truth and justice which as members of planet Earth we have a right to.
Moving out of a country rife with corruption, political idolatry and lack of rational thinking
does not infer that you can, or even should, stop demanding that the politicians who govern your native country act responsibly and within the limits of the law. Do not let anyone convince you otherwise.
Most may think that we are past the point of no return and that we are now at the mercy of international organisations, journalists, or the European Union. “It is finished”. If we yield into these thoughts, we would have let the corrupt politicians and businesspersons win, hands down. Not all is lost. We have to convince ourselves that we should care about the needs and well being of the entire community and not merely our own.
Similarly, the chopping of trees for the sake of ‘progress’ does not only affect the quality of air people in Malta breathe. We all breathe the same air. If you have moved to a greener country, it does not mean that you can forget the environmental and cultural heritage you come from. We live in the same global village.
Individuals, NGOs, civil society movements are forging ahead with their energetic and admirable campaigns: Cami Appelgren, whose fighting voice and actions keeps driving change, Steve Zammit Lupi, an
environmentalist councillor of Ħaż-Żebbuġ, and independent who spearheaded cycling campaigns and eNGO ‘Għaqda Siġar Maltin’; the 19-year-old Sasha Vella who at the end of July set up a Facebook group to save the trees and led the demonstration against the Central Link Project on 28th July, and the symbolic demonstration against the destruction of trees in Santa Lucia on 3rd August; ‘Moviment Graffiti’ who are organising “a national protest free from partisan politics – ‘Enough is Enough’” on 7th September; and ‘Occupy Justice’ and ‘Repubblika’ which are fighting for justice for slain journalist, Daphne Caruana Galizia, and doing a great job in holding the government accountable for its corrupt operations.
Citizens and residents of Malta are increasingly becoming aware that the people in power do not have the public interest at heart. Us expats cannot forget the country of our upbringing. We still have families there and whatever happens in Malta affects the international fora. One less tree in Malta is one less tree in the world; a world which we inhabit together as individuals living in a society. One more shady, dodgy transaction on a domestic level shall affect business transactions on an international level.
We have had the privilege of being brought up in a country which values solidarity and the well-being of our neighbour. Let’s not forget where we have all come from and help in every possible way those who are fighting to secure a better future for Malta and the world.
Expats, your country needs you.