We need to strengthen education so that we can really have the kind of inclusivity that we want, but we must truly wish and want such inclusivity, not just because this is expected of us.
President of Malta George Vella said this through a virtual message during the Premju Socjetà Gusta (Fair Society Award) event. The Premju Socjetà Gusta celebrates the work, commitment and dedication of various individuals in the disability sector. This is an annual event forming part of the activities organised during the week dedicated to Disability, with the aim of recognising the achievements of individuals and organisations that embrace a culture of inclusion towards people with disabilities.
The President explained that “it is our duty to focus on the different abilities that everyone has. It is also our duty to remove any obstacles that may prevent a person with a disability from feeling truly part of society.”
In her speech during this event, the Minister for Inclusion and Social Wellbeing, Julia Farrugia Portelli dedicated this celebration to the thousands of workers who work in silence every day with so much love and dedication towards people with disabilities.
Minister Farrugia Portelli mentioned that during the past year, the inclusion sector has been given a major boost as a number of laws regarding this sector have been tabled in Parliament for the first time and the national disability strategy was launched with clear goals for the next nine years. This will reach its climax in three weeks’ time, with the entry into force of the largest budget ever allocated to the disability sector – €50 million.
This year’s winners were Zebbug Rangers FC Youth Nursery who were awarded the Active Participation in Sport, Arts and Culture Award; the Malta Federation of Organisations Persons with Disability (MFOPD) who were awarded the Work on Strengthening the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Award; Hon. Oliver Scicluna who was awarded the Lifetime Achievement in the Disability Sector Award; Farsons Group who were awarded the Most Inclusive Workplace Award and Jacob Cachia who is the winner of the Fair Society Award.
Jacob Cachia, described as a source of motivation and positivity, runs a cafeteria based on the concept that a percentage of the income goes to the non-governmental organisation Jacob Survivors Malta that uses the funds raised to help families going through any kind of trauma.
Source: Office of the Prime Minister