On 7 June 1919, four Maltese demonstrators lost their lives while demonstrating against the British colonial authorities. The events of that day, which became known as Sette Giugno, marked a turning point in Malta’s fight for justice and independence.

The complaints that led to the protest were many and varied, but at their heart was a deep sense of frustration and anger at the lack of political representation, economic opportunity, and basic human rights. The Maltese people had been living under British rule for more than a century and were tired of being treated as second class citizens in their own country.

Sandra Gauci, Chairperson of ADPD – the Green Party said that the challenges Malta faces today are serious albeit different to those faced then. The challenges of 1919 were in part a result of colonialism. Today’s challenges are partly a result of bad leadership.

One of the most urgent issues facing Malta today is corruption. In recent years, there have been many scandals involving high-level government officials and business leaders, which have reduced public trust in the country’s institutions and leaders. This led to widespread calls for more transparency, accountability, and political reform.

Another major challenge facing Malta is the impact of climate change. As a small island nation, Malta is particularly vulnerable to sea level rise, extreme weather events, and other environmental threats. The government has made some efforts to address these issues, such as investing in renewable energy and reducing carbon emissions, but more needs to be done to protect the country’s natural resources and ensure a future sustainable for all Maltese.

Finally, Malta is also facing a demographic challenge, with an aging population and a declining birth rate. This is putting pressure on the country’s social services system and raising concerns about the country’s long-term economic viability.

As we remember Sette Giugno, it is important to remember the sacrifices made by the Maltese people in their fight for justice and independence. But it is also important to recognize that the fight for a better future is far from over. By addressing the issues of corruption, climate change, and demographic change, and by working towards a more just and equitable society, we can honor the legacy of those who lost their lives on that fateful day in 1919 and build a brighter future for all Maltese people, concluded Gauci.

Photo: Sandra Gauci places a bouquet of flowers on the monument that was dedicated to Daphne Caruana Galizia upon her appointment at the end of last month.

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Sette Giugno: Tifkira tal-ġlieda ta’ Malta għall-ġustizzja u l-indipendenza

Fis-7 ta’ Ġunju 1919, erba’ dimostranti Maltin tilfu ħajjithom waqt li kienu qed juru l-għadab tagħhom kontra l-awtoritajiet kolonjali Ingliżi. Il-ġrajjiet ta’ dak il-jum, li saru magħrufa bħala Sette Giugno, immarkaw punt ta’ svolta fil-ġlieda ta’ Malta għall-ġustizzja u l-indipendenza.

L-ilmenti li wasslu għall-protesta kienu ħafna u varjati, iżda fil-qalba tagħhom kien hemm sens profond ta’ frustrazzjoni u rabja għan-nuqqas ta’ rappreżentanza politika, opportunità ekonomika, u drittijiet bażiċi tal-bniedem. Il-poplu Malti kien ilu jgħix taħt il-ħakma Brittanika għal aktar minn seklu u kien għajjien li jiġi ttrattat bħala ċittadini tat-tieni klassi f’pajjiżu stess.

Sandra Gauci, Chairperson ta’ ADPD – the Green Party qalet li l-isfidi li għandna llum huma serji imma huma wkoll kompletament differenti. L-isfidi tal-1919 kienu in parti riżultat tal-kolonjaliżmu. L-isfidi tal-lum huma in parti riżultat ta’ tmexxija ħazina.

Waħda mill-aktar kwistjonijiet urġenti li qed tiffaċċja Malta llum hija l-korruzzjoni. F’dawn l-aħħar snin, kien hemm bosta skandli li involvew uffiċjali tal-gvern ta’ livell għoli u mexxejja tan-negozju, li naqqsu l-fiduċja pubblika fl-istituzzjonijiet u l-mexxejja tal-pajjiż. Dan wassal għal sejħiet mifruxa għal aktar trasparenza, responsabbiltà, u riforma politika.

Sfida ewlenija oħra li qed tiffaċċja Malta hija l-impatt tat-tibdil fil-klima. Bħala nazzjon gżira żgħira, Malta hija partikolarment vulnerabbli għaż-żieda fil-livell tal-baħar, avvenimenti estremi tat-temp, u theddid ambjentali ieħor. Il-gvern għamel xi sforzi biex jindirizza dawn il-kwistjonijiet, bħall-investiment fl-enerġija rinnovabbli u t-tnaqqis tal-emissjonijiet tal-karbonju, iżda għad irid isir aktar biex jiġu protetti r-riżorsi naturali tal-pajjiż u jiġi żgurat futur sostenibbli għall-Maltin kollha.

Fl-aħħar nett, Malta qed tiffaċċja wkoll sfida demografika, b’popolazzjoni li qed tixjieħ u b’rata ta’ twelid li qed tonqos. Dan qed ipoġġi pressjoni fuq is-sistema ta’ servizzi soċjali tal-pajjiż u jqajjem tħassib dwar il-vijabbiltà ekonomika tal-pajjiż fit-tul.

Hekk kif infakkru lil Sette Giugno, importanti li niftakru fis-sagrifiċċji li għamel il-poplu Malti fil-ġlieda tiegħu għall-ġustizzja u l-indipendenza. Iżda huwa importanti wkoll li nirrikonoxxu li l-ġlieda għal futur aħjar għadha ‘l bogħod milli tintemm. Billi nindirizzaw il-kwistjonijiet tal-korruzzjoni, it-tibdil fil-klima, u t-tibdil demografiku, u billi naħdmu lejn soċjetà aktar ġusta u ekwa, nistgħu nonoraw il-wirt ta’ dawk li tilfu ħajjithom f’dak il-jum fatali fl-1919 u nibnu futur isbaħ għall-Maltin u l-Għawdxin kollha, temmet tgħid Gauci.

Ritratt: Sandra Gauci tpoġġi bukkett fjuri fuq il-monument li ġie ddedikat lil Daphne Caruana Galizia mal-ħatra tagħha fi tmiem ix-xahar li għadda.