The Maltese Government has pledged to open society, to celebrate diversity, to recognise the social realities around us, to cherish Maltese identity without discrimination, to ensure equality and respect towards minority groups and above all, to safeguard the fundamental human rights and freedoms of all.
It is Government’s belief that the current realities faced by migrants coming from third countries (i.e., countries that are not EU Member States), require immediate attention.
For this reason, the Ministry for Social Dialogue, Consumer Affairs and Civil Liberties (MSDC) has embarked on a project entitled Mind D Gap: Together we can make a difference (IF 2013-17). Its aim is to support efforts that enable third country nationals (TCNs) of diverse national, economic, social, cultural, religious, linguistic and ethnic backgrounds to fulfil the conditions of residence and to facilitate their integration within Maltese society. The project is intended to shape and inform the National Migrant Integration Strategy 2015-2020, which is expected to be launched later on during 2015.
This Strategy will be developed within a framework that promotes human rights, equal opportunities and obligations for all. Amongst other things, it will promote diversity as a basic value to achieving greater social cohesion.
The aim of the Strategy is to bring about real changes for third country nationals within our society, and to build a strong community where everyone, regardless of race, colour, religious or political opinion, age, sex, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other status, can live, work and prosper in a context of fairness, equality, rights, responsibilities and respect.
Key Policy Areas
The following areas were identified as being relevant and important to achieve the goal of integration of TCNs, thus promoting the common basic value of a society characterised by diversity. These policy areas will establish direction and guidance towards the development of the Strategy.
The Strategy will ensure that measures regarding services, initiatives and interventions are developed, implemented and/or strengthened thus providing for effective integration processes.
The areas are:
1. Defending rights and fulfilling duties: anti-discrimination and equality
2. Resolving social barriers and providing opportunities: education / labour market
3. Promoting intercultural relations / Raising public awareness on integration: empowering local communities
4. Civil participation: outreach to communities of TCNs
5. Institutional dialogue: TCN consultative council / policy-makers and decision-makers