Photo: Student group photo taken on the day of our last lecture
From left to right: Arig Elasma, Abbas Mussa Jameah, Shazia Naureen, Glenn Bilocca, Melissa Mifsud, Janice Alfaro, Abdelkarim Rhazi
The within the , has been collaborating with the Human Rights Directorate, specifically the Intercultural and Anti-Racism Unit (IARU) on the Learning-Exchanging-Integrating (LEI) project funded by AMIF for the past years.
This project was key to initiate a much-required integration introduction programme in Malta which enables migrants to acquire language and cultural skills which are vital to their integration process. In return they become better-equipped to contribute to Maltese society with their experiences, traditions, work, and expertise. Democracy works best when it embraces diversity since it brings forth everyone’s potential. The moment it lacks diversity, democracy risks being stifled. Thus, successfully integrated legally residing migrants are of great value. Change is crucial in our fast-paced era, and two-way integration can be a catalyst or an opportunity to prevent us from staleness – a much needed breath of fresh air.
The Faculty of Education has been a major stakeholder in providing Stage 2 ‘I Belong’ courses for migrants as part of their requirements to apply for long term residence in Malta. These courses aim at facilitating their integration in Maltese society and focus particularly on the familiarisation of migrants to the Maltese language and Maltese culture. These courses are part of the ‘I Belong Programme.’
Moreover, a Diploma in Cultural Mediation, also funded by AMIF, was organised with joint collaboration between IARU and the Department for Inclusion and Access to Learning for the first time in academic year 2022-2023. Through this diploma several students were trained in cultural mediation to further assist in reducing the gap between persons of different nationalities living in Malta and to facilitate integration from all sides.
The participation of the Department for Inclusion and Access to Education within this project shows that the Faculty of Education perceives education as dynamic, not limited just to schooling, but embracing a lifetime of societal learning. In this case, it facilitates the encounter and dialogue between diverse cultures, beliefs and values within an environment which is democratic and thus, welcomes the challenge of diversity as a means of furthering democratisation.
It is a fact that migration is also a challenge. With globalisation, the media and technology have already surpassed many boundaries delving us into a common “we” rather than a categorical “us – them” discourse. This was subject of dialogue with various stakeholders throughout the project, which included persons of different nationalities living in Malta. Turning the Tables (TTT) and Migrant Integration Session (MIIS) conferences, amongst others, were the main opportunities to discuss various issues regarding migration, current scenarios, and the identification of ways forward.
The Department for Inclusion and Access to Learning prides itself in assisting in the reduction of the gap between persons of different nationalities living in Malta and to facilitate integration from all sides. These courses, and therefore this contribution by the University of Malta, are necessary to address an ever-growing demand to allow diversity to become a source of enrichment to Maltese culture. The efforts of this department contribute towards the promotion of a more inclusive and democratic society.
This project is coming to an end in June 2023. The closure of this project is definitely not a point of arrival, but a setting ground for further and greater struggles for better integration. The courses offered, and the way integration takes place are dynamic. This process requires constant re-evaluation, adjustments, and modifications. The attitude one assumes during this process is crucial. Human rights are the basis of democracy and they come along with obligations towards the rights of the other. They are the same for all human beings irrespective of gender, ability, colour, religion, political alliance, nationality or ethnic origin, language, or any other status.
The Human Rights Directorate is grateful to all stakeholders who contributed to the project, including the Faculty of Education, and looks forward to further collaboration with the faculty in the near future.
