[WATCH] First ever youth refugee NGO launched: 'Integration is a two-way street'

'What makes me sad is that the sense of belonging to one country is often stronger than the sense of belonging to the human race' 

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President launches Spark15, first ever NGO for youth refugees. Video: James Bianchi
President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca with Mohammed Hassan from Spark15. Photo: James Bianchi
President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca with Mohammed Hassan from Spark15. Photo: James Bianchi

The first ever Maltese NGO set up by youth refugees was officially launched by President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca this afternoon.

Spark15 will pressure the authorities into providing provide refugees and migrants on the island with full access to education and employment.

Coleiro Preca pledged to support the NGO's efforts with all of heart, describing the young refugees as the "potential leaders of tomorrow".

"It is important that we speak out for ourselves, help each other, and claim what is ours by right," she said. "Spark15 has at its heart the principles of diversity and inclusion, important values that everyone should stand up for. There are so many opportunities out there when we respect each other."

In a heartfelt speech, Spark15 president Hourie Tafech - a Palestinian refugee - urged the public to look at and treat refugees and migrants as human beings.

"Everyone deserves the chance to live a decent life, yet we are constantly being shamed because of our status," she said. "A person's future should not be shaped by a piece of paper, but by their skills and qualifications. No one wants to become a refugee, to flee their memories and take a journey into the unknown, yet if the choice came down to leaving or being killed, you'd decide to leave.

“What makes me sad is that the sense of belonging to one country is often stronger than the sense of belonging to the human race. We all belong to the same human race, so why do we keep focusing on our differences?”

Tafech said that migrants are often keen to integrate with the Maltese community but that they often find themselves up against a brick wall from day one.

“We want to integrate with the Maltese, but integration is a two-way street. Many migrants are treated badly from the very first day and made to wait for hours outside the Refugee Commissioner’s office with their children in the sun or rain. They are made to feel unwelcome from day one.”

She added that Spark15 is already in discussions with the University of Malta and the education ministry on providing clear criteria through which refugees can gain access to higher education.