On the 28th of August 2021, KSU launched their latest campaign under the slogan: Democracy Derailed? This campaign’s aim is to pinpoint and discuss the state of Democracy and the Rule of Law in Malta.
Due to several hurdles brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, KSU utilised this time to restructure their aim and focus on what this campaign would be. With this said, KSU made the current political climate, findings from Investigations and evidence presented in Court and the recently published Public Inquiry, the apex of the discussion for this campaign.
The launch was initiated by KSU President, Neil Zahra, who discussed this project’s relevance to the local political scenario and the importance of youth’s taking stock of their democratic standing. Thereafter, KSU’s Social Policy Officer and Campaign Coordinator, Alexandra Gaglione, set in motion the campaign while emphasising for a freshers Maltese democratic outlook that stems away from party lines. In her dialogue, she highlights the importance of youths being heard, not as simply the future, but as present voices that look at democracy and the rule of law in an objective manner.
Manuel Delia, as keynote speaker, focused on the history of Maltese Democracy and its development whilst also touching upon the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia and its harrowing political implications and connections. Delia, in his address, asked:
“The truth about Malta’s democracy? Corruption is real. A journalist who exposed it was killed for it. The corrupt tried to get away with it. Some of them were forced to resign in disgrace, overwhelmed by a snowball that started as a pebble pushed downhill by civil society. But justice has not yet been served.”
Following the addresses, the panel made up of Dr Martina Caruana, Mark Laurence Zammit, Manuel Delia and Rebecca Buttigieg touched upon freedom of expression, partisan politics and active citizenship and civic education; the main sub-themes of the campaign. The pinnacle of this discussion was made clear, wherein it was emphasised that the population has for too long been viewing democracy and the rule of law from the skewed hyper-partisan lens which has deteriorated the sense of critical thought and the ability to hold governing powers accountable.
KSU hopes that the launch will serve as a taster of what is yet to come. Youths must finally be accounted for and heard.