Conference to build youth participation in band clubs held
"Youths are an essential element to keeping our cultural heritage, like band clubs, alive in our communities," Parliamentary Secretary for Youths, Research, and Innovation Keith Azzopardi Tanti said during a conference organised by Aġenzija Żgħażagħ, entitled ‘Il-Każini tal-Banda taħt Lenti Żagħżugħa,' whereby several youths were in attendance to contribute and be an integral part of our country’s culture through their participation in band clubs.
Parliamentary Secretary Azzopardi Tanti praised those present and thanked them for their voluntary participation in cultural associations of this type. "As a government, we will continue to support youths who are part of band club associations, so that you continue to carry out the work you are doing in our society. We also want to ensure that more youths are incentivised and motivated to join band clubs to keep our traditions alive."
The parliamentary secretary said that the government has clearly shown how much it supports this tradition by assisting several band clubs that were at risk of being evicted. He concluded by encouraging youths to come forward with their proposals.
Director of Aġenzija Żgħażagħ, Maria Borg, spoke about how closely the agency has been working with Għaqda Każini tal-Banda for the past years to ensure that more youths have a safe place where they can express themselves.
"We organised this conference to listen to your views and see how band clubs remain relevant both today and in the future. It is also important to look for more spaces for youths where they can continue to thrive," stated Ms Borg.
On behalf of Għaqda Każini tal-Banda, Duncan Brincat stated that their organisation fully believes in the participation of youths in band clubs. He continued that it is important to preserve the uniqueness of each band club, which goes back decades.
"Youths are the present and the future of band clubs, and we want to keep listening to their innovative ideas for band clubs to stay alive and offer their share in society," stated Mr Brincat. He concluded by stating that they are satisfied with the work that the band clubs are carrying out, in particular with the participation of youths, and thanked the volunteers who are contributing their time and talents to keep the band clubs in Malta alive and active.
During this conference, a number of workshops were organised for the young volunteers present, in order to discuss how they can get more involved in band clubs and the ways through which they can attract more youths to join as active members in band clubs.
"Young people are the main element in keeping our cultural heritage, like band clubs, alive in our communities." This is what the Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Research, and Innovation, Keith Azzopardi Tanti, stated during the National Conference organised by Aġenzija Żgħażagħ entitled ‘IlKażini tal-Banda taħt Lenti Żagħżugħa.'
Among the large number of participants who attended this conference, youths who wanted to contribute and be an integral part of the culture of our country through their participation in the band associations stood out.
Parliamentary Secretary Azzopardi Tanti congratulated all those present and thanked them for their voluntary participation in cultural associations of this type. "We as a government would like to support you young people within band clubs so that you are more encouraged to continue to carry out the hard work you are doing in our society. We want to ensure that more young people are incentivised and motivated to join band associations and continue to keep our traditions alive." He said that the government has clearly shown how much it cares about this tradition by providing direct help for the payment of several band clubs that were at risk of extortion. "We want to hear your proposals. Bring them to us because we are not only a government that listens, but a government that acts," concluded the parliamentary secretary.
Director of Aġenzija Żgħażagħ, Maria Borg, also spoke, and said how closely the agency has been working with the Band Clubs Association for the last few years to ensure that more young people have a safe place where they can express themselves. "It is important to look for more spaces for young people where they can roam, but it is much more important to cherish and increase the spaces we have that offer refuge for young people." She stated how much the social element has decreased in today's life, and therefore it is very important that places like band clubs remain active. "Today we organised this conference in order to hear what the young people want to say and see how band clubs remain relevant for them, both today and for the future."
Duncan Brincat, on behalf of Għaqda Każini tal-Banda, also addressed those present, expressing how much their organisation fully believes in the participation of young people in band clubs. He reiterated how important it is to preserve the uniqueness that each band has, which goes back decades. "Young people are the present and the future of band clubs. They want to spur, with their innovative ideas, new ways for the clubs to stay alive and offer their share in society, as they have always done." He ended his intervention by expressing his satisfaction at the work the band clubs are doing, in particular with the participation of young people, and how proud the Association of Band Clubs is of the number of volunteers who are giving their time and talents to keep the bands in Malta active and alive.
The National Youth Conference ended with a number of workshops between the young volunteers present, where they came up with a number of proposals for how young people can get more involved in band clubs and in which ways they can attract more young people to join as active members in the clubs.