[WATCH] The President’s Republic Day speech • the fast read
Quotes from President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca’s Republic Day speech
13 December 2014, 11:57am
Matthew Vella
Matthew Vella
3 min read
President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca. Photo: Ray Attard
40 years of Malta as a Republic • Video by Ray Attard
- I urge civil society to continue to assist our nation to reflect critically, and act wisely, in relation to human challenges existing within our society and country; demographics that are constantly changing and an economy that must delve beyond our shores, to continue supporting the aspirations and dignity of our people.
- Leaders, and those who aspire to lead, have to dialogue humbly, with courage, love and respect.
- The Republic can mature democratically, if there is unity, if people dialogue, if intellectual thought intertwines with popular wisdom, if we listen to the sceptical, if we do not accept mediocrity in thought just because it suits our purpose, and if we take into consideration wisdom no matter from where it emanates.
- A Republic that doubts intellectuals, and stifles, ridicules or ignores critical thinking, is weak and one that has not matured to its fullness.
- The only viable approach to a strong democratic Republic is that of critical literacy, a community which must continue to learn.
- Wealth is created by many people, especially manual workers and intellectuals, and not just an elite group of people who think that only their voices deserve to be heard.
- Forty years ago, we pledged that our Republic would be founded on work… However, we are still far from fully realising the oath we made to each other then. This is not only because there are still thousands of unemployed people, but a number of workers are being exploited, working in hazardous or precarious conditions.
- I consider precarious employment as a disease that not only undermines wellbeing, but destroys individuals and families that we cherish so much
- The social welfare system is crucial for people in this situation, and in no way should we allow our discourse to minimise their dignity, by depicting these people as parasites and therefore must not be aided by the State.
- Sadly, I note that over the last forty years, our environment has changed. Malta has changed radically, with both children and adults confined to the built environment, away from contact with nature and with little spaces where they can roam.
- I appeal to us all to defend the right to remain in contact with the natural environment that sustains us.
- The movement of people around the world is not novel to our region.. my thoughts are with the thousands of people who lost their lives along a difficult journey, which was meant to give them a better life.
- A caring Republic should seek the refuge of international solidarity, so that the movement of people, so much a reality today, should be a quality experience, and not a tragic end to many hopes and lives.
- The catholic religion is no longer central to cultural activity because of the vast changes happening in our society. On such an important day, we should be questioning what is secular process and religious diversity, and how to act in this context.
- This is the kind of democracy I want to see flourish in our country; democracy without intrusion, based on diversity, to be able to dialogue openly and where everyone may have the opportunity to prosper.
- This presidency will serve as a bridge so that people with diverse aspirations, desires and visions, come together and translate their differences into collaboration based on dialogue and true respect for each other.
Matthew Vella, a freelance journalist at MaltaToday, was formerly executive editor at Malt...
