Migration: A signal from Malta

On November 11-12, Malta hosted the Valletta Summit on Migration promoted by the European Council, during which 28 countries of the European Union met with 35 African countries and representatives of the United Nations. Its goals, as expressed on the Council’s website, include “addressing the root causes by working to help create peace, stability and economic development; improving work on promoting and organising legal migration channels; enhancing the protection of migrants and asylum seekers, particularly vulnerable groups; tackling more effectively the exploitation and trafficking of migrants; working more closely to improve cooperation on return and readmission.”

But, meanwhile, it was the Maltese themselves who stepped up and dealt with the situation, also becoming involved in welcoming the migrants. Anna Caruana Colombo, a Volunteer from the Focolare Movement, told New City Magazine how she and her friends engaged over thirty people in a process of learning about the conditions and the needs of the migrants – thanks to the Jesuit refugee service – and then visiting the welcome centres where people who have already obtained refugee status can find lodging.

In one centre they held English classes; provided useful information about Malta; and simply spent time with the migrants. In another centre that welcomed families, they provided child care and tried to meet the basic needs of the little ones.

Later, when they received permission, the Volunteers also went into the detention centres, Anna recounted: “The refugees were in rooms with bunk beds, even twelve per room, and there was not enough room for everyone. At first they were shocked, but seeing that we only wanted to befriend them, they overcame their mistrust. From English lessons we also moved on to more enjoyable moments with music and dance; and the guards remarked that they had never seen them so happy.”

The young people of the Focolare Movement also became involved, inviting the refugees to events for teenagers such as the Run4Unity; and to the Mariapolis for a few days of meetings with Focolare friends and sympathisers. “Our project is beginning to gain visibility,” Anna concluded, “and we were asked to present our experience to the other Ecclesial Movements.”