Andre Callus Reflects On Receiving Honoris Causa

In a post shared shortly after being awarded a Doctor of Social Sciences (Honoris Causa) from the University of Malta, Andrè Callus said he felt “somewhat uncomfortable” when he first received the news.

He stressed that his activism had “never” been work he carried out alone and that the honour should be understood as “a broader recognition of the value of collective work in favour of the common good”.

Callus thanked those who had sent him messages and noted that many came from people he admired.

He shared a photograph that he said was close to his heart because it showed people who “every day, make me believe in the goodness and beauty of humanity”. He added that many others who shaped his work were not pictured.

In the excerpt from his speech, he addressed the role of Moviment Graffitti and stated: “I salute in particular the activists of Moviment Graffitti, and all those people with whom I work every day to achieve a more just society.”

He described these individuals as essential, saying they gave him “the motivation and the energy to keep going”.

Callus also reflected on the influence of African migrant communities in Malta, mentioning refugees from Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso and the Ivory Coast. He said the solidarity and friendships he experienced helped him understand both the severity of oppression and the need for people to take care of one another.

He concluded by warning against cynicism despite global and local injustices, writing: “Let us continue to feel pain. Let us continue to be angry. Let us continue to care.”

#MaltaDaily