Author: Mark Cachia

The not-so-beautiful game

Ever since FIFA chose Qatar to host the 2022 World Cup, this Gulf Kingdom has been the subject of sustained critical scrutiny. What ought to be a celebration of talent, diversity and healthy competition is instead turning out to be a tournament overshadowed by stories of exploitation, murky transactions, and prejudice. In this case, the exercise in “sportswashing”, whereby corporate sponsors and host-nations seek to improve their reputation by leveraging the powerful emotions evoked by sporting events, does not seem to be going according to plan… Read more »

Poverty and homelessness

 “Collaboration is increasingly being seen as an important factor in the work of health and social professionals.” (Ambrose-Miller & Ashcroft, 2016, pp.101)

Poverty is one of the most significant social determinants of health and mental health, intersecting with all other determinants, including education, local social and community conditions, race/ethnicity, gender, immigration status, health and access to health care, as well as the living environment… Read more »

23 organisations appeal for urgent need for regulating the ‘free for all’ use of Cannabis

The recent developments surrounding the appointment of a new Executive chairperson of the Cannabis Authority confirms our strong reservations, that the Government has introduced legislation with a major impact on society in a hurried manner and without creating effective structures to implement the law.

One year after the law was approved, the perception that the use of cannabis in our society has become ‘free for all’ has dramatically increased while the structures contemplated by the law to regulate are conspicuous by their complete absence… Read more »

Eco-spirituality workshop in Taizé

From the 10th to the 13th of November European Laudato Si Alliance (ELSiA) members gathered in Taizé for the second eco-spirituality workshop, hosted by the Taizé Community in France.

ELSiA, composed of Caritas Europa, CIDSE, COMECE, JESC, Justice and Peace Europe and the Laudato Si’ Movement, is committed to promoting ecological justice and awareness at national and EU policy level. Daniel Darmanin, from the Justice & Peace Commission in Malta, joined around 30 around participants from all over Europe in the workshop in Taizé which offered an opportunity for the ELSiA organisations to reflect on and discuss the topic of ecological conversion… Read more »

Displacement

Not a day goes by without reading an article on migration or overhearing a remark about the impact of migrants on Maltese society. The Pope himself, when visiting Malta, made it a point to meet migrants at the Ħal Far Peace Lab to express his solidarity and closeness to people on the move.

But who exactly is a migrant? Has the number of people leaving their home country increased and do they find welcoming communities? … Read more »

Budget 2023: A Crucial Moment of Choice

Il-Kummissjoni Ġustizzja u Paċi tagħraf li l-Baġit 2023 ġie kkundizzjonat minn bosta kriżijiet.

Filwaqt li tilqa’ l-bosta miżuri soċjali mħabbra, il-Kummissjoni tixtieq tmur lil hinn minn kummentarju simplistiku dwar miżuri individwali, billi tistieden lill-Gvern jikkonsidra erba’ prinċipji gwida li l-Kummissjoni temmen li għandhom jiggwidaw l-għażla tagħna għall-mudell soċjo-ekonomiku li jwassal għal soċjetà aktar ġusta, sostenibbli u li tipprovdi lok għal rikonċiljazzjoni fejn saret ħsara… Read more »

Artisans and builders of our common home

“You are called to become artisans and builders of our common home, a common home that is falling into ruin”. These words of Pope Francis still resounding in the ears of the young economists, entrepreneurs and changemakers who gathered in Assisi from the 22nd till the 24th of September to participate in the world event “Economy of Francesco” (EoF).

More than 1000 participants from more than 100 countries joined this event, initially planned to be held in March 2020 and then held online in November 2020 and October 2021… Read more »

Ethics in business: development and self-interest

On the 20th of October, 2022, the Gozo Business Chamber organised its second conference on ‘Ethics in Business’ which this year focused on ‘Development and Self-Interest’.

The keynote speech was delivered by Daniel Darmanin, president of the Justice and Peace Commission and coordinator of the local chapter of the Centesimus Annus Foundation. He spoke on the effect of development on our quality of life and the need to stop and reflect on the kind of society we want to live in… Read more »

Yahad presented to Pope Francis

During an international conference organized by the Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice foundation, Daniel Darmanin, president of the Justice and Peace Commission, and coordinator of the local chapter of the Centesimus Annus foundation, presented the Yahad booklet to Pope Francis. During this same meeting, Darmanin also presented this project to Cardinal Parolin, Secretary of State, whilst explaining to him that through this initiative, the Justice and Peace Commission wished to invite Christians and all people of good will to reflect on how we can work together for a reconciled society, built on truth and justice… Read more »

Peace, integral ecology and synodality

The International workshop 2022 of Justice and Peace Europe took place in Assisi from the 7th until the 9th of October. Participants were welcomed by the Franciscan community and led into the opening prayer by a group of young people who are actively engaged in the Italian Justice and Peace Commission. Daniel Darmanin (President) and Mark Cachia (Executive Officer) attended this meeting on behalf of the Justice and Peace Commission of the Archdiocese of Malta… Read more »