Forgotten customs

Despite the popularity parish feasts enjoy in Malta – a tradition which seems to be ever increasing - really and truly our country’s traditional customs are dying out. At least that’s what a friend told me.

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Different times usher in different ways by which people showcase their aspirations. Rather than getting forgotten, customs change format

Ichallenged him about this as I think he’s wrong. In fact, the instances he mentioned were in large part, related to ceremonies of a rather religious nature and to occupations that are hardly practised any more.

But then for other occupations which are still around, like fishing, the occasions by which they get highlighted have not been phased out. Meanwhile, practitioners of new “hobbies” – such as for motorcycling – have discovered ways by which to give themselves a profile.

Different times usher in different ways by which people showcase their aspirations. Rather than getting forgotten, customs change format.

We now live in societies where means of communication have proliferated but where a decrease in social activities that require individuals to cooperate among themselves has occurred. It is precisely from such activities that the customs of the past used to emerge. Admittedly, it is difficult to imagine for example, that at some point in time, devotees of computer games could come to organize their own pilgrimage.

From this to jump to the further conclusion that “communal” customs are all coming to an end, is I think, a bridge too far.

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Digital

To emphasize that digital skills should be given priority in educational policy is an extremely important guideline. Across all of Europe, digital technology has come to be considered an essential tool that will increasingly define the modern economy. Without it, those who are now in the lead will lose out and those who are already struggling will struggle even more.

On the other hand, in order to promote digital skills, we cannot just sideline the “pure” sciences or the “classic” technologies. Mathematics; physics; chemistry; mechanical, electric and electronic engineering... among others... constitute systems of learning and training that are indispensable now and will continue to be indispensable in future, not least when it comes to the delivery of projects with a significant economic return.

A society that keeps back from supporting and developing them further as a part of its own inherent competences, is undermining its future potential to renew the skills it will need by which to remain technically and economically in the lead.

There is a danger we could end up in such a situation. “Pure” sciences and engineering disciplines are not being given prominence and prestige equal to those accorded to digital and financial services.

Immigration

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The Hal Far riot in Malta a week ago... the discovery of thirty eight dead people in a lorry in the UK... were two incidents that again demonstrated how the immigration crisis is still much alive.

And it is creating disquiet among populations, provoking racist and xenophobic outbursts.

If a solution is to be put on track, there is a need for an enormously strong political will that is prepared to mobilise considerable resources. At the same time, it must face out racist incitement that finds fertile ground where to flourish and spread.

It is not true that a will to carry this out does not exist in Europe. It does. It just is still not strong enough.

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The right emphasis

I like the emphasis the government is attaching to the social effects of the 2020 budget.

The social strategy deployed these last years has been getting useful results. Perhaps they’re not as widespread as the government itself expected, but still it can feel pride at what has been achieved.

In social affairs a problem will always be that no matter how much progress is registered, the expectation remains... not least among those who are benefitting the most... for a greater rollout of benefits.

After all, it is legitimate to have such an expectation. On the other hand, if improvements in social welfare are introduced “too fast”, given the capitalist economy that we play to, the country could quickly find itself in an uncompetitive stance, putting at risk the progress achieved. This happened when towards the end of the 1970’s, years of steady improvements in conditions of work and welfare brought in their wake economic stagnation at the same time that recession had spread in Malta’s export markets while inflation lit up.

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European funds to 2027

As all eyes stayed focussed on the Brexit soap opera, efforts continued among the EU’s member states to find agreement on how much they would be spending between next year and 2027, and how they would spend it. For while there are proposals about which all (or almost all) agree to launch new initiatives that will bump up expenditures (like for the environment, immigration, defence...), no one is prepared to accept the proposal made by the European Commission (as well as the European Parliament), to increase the share of their GDP that all members contribute.

Moreover, the UK’s departure will lead to a substantial drop in the Union’s revenues. But when the discussion comes down to the need for cuts in expenditures, a number of member states strongly resist this. They insist that in no way should there be cuts in spending on agriculture or in cohesion funds earmarked to promote economic and social development.

Countries like Germany and Holland are making it clear that they are not prepared to carry the major part of the financial burdens that will be emerging.

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To the airport

Based on my personal experience, I can confirm that the new roads circling Qormi and Marsa are already having a positive impact.

To reach the airport from B’Kara... at different tims of the day and on different days of the week... the time required has I think been slashed by half.

And what’s commendable about the completed and ongoing works is that they have been meticulously planned and truly create as little convenience as possible. A pity the same cannot be said for works that are all the time being carried out in the island’s secondary and residential roads and streets. There are days that what one gains when driving to the airport is lost while navigating roads that as in B’Kara valley, remain for far too long either half dug or half closed.