“I Lived The European Dream, Now I Want To Make It Possible For Others”

Nov 4 2024

In his opening remarks at today’s European Parliament grilling, Malta’s nominee for European Commissioner, Glenn Micallef, made a strong impression by emphasising his commitment to European values and youth engagement. “It’s great to start back from where I began as an intern,” he said, highlighting his experience within EU institutions despite his young age. Micallef expressed unwavering support for Ukraine, stating, “If confirmed, we will continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes,” dedicating part of his speech to affirm the EU’s solidarity with Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict.

Micallef shared his personal experience of living the “European dream” and stressed the importance of ensuring future generations can do the same. He highlighted that young people often feel underrepresented in democratic processes, which can lead to political disengagement and pose a risk to democracy. “Our democracy is under threat, and we can only protect it with young people on board,” he warned, urging that youth be given a meaningful role in decision-making processes.

A passionate advocate for youth inclusion, Micallef called for political action “with young people, not for young people,” and emphasised the need to provide youth with “a seat at the table.” He also underlined the importance of protecting children and addressing mental health challenges, especially online. “No child must be left behind,” he stated, pledging to prioritise youth mental health.

Micallef acknowledged the opportunities and challenges presented by artificial intelligence, noting AI’s transformative potential while cautioning against its risks. He committed to developing a comprehensive AI strategy to harness its benefits in arts, culture, and beyond.

As a former participant in grassroots sports, Micallef shared his understanding of the challenges faced by community sports and reiterated his belief that sports can promote mental health and combat issues like obesity. He encouraged Europeans to embrace physical activity, noting that nearly half do not engage in regular exercise.

On the subject of funding, Micallef highlighted the importance of initiatives like Erasmus+ and outlined his intention to maximise their impact. He closed with a call for a “youth perspective” in EU legislation, stating that, starting next year, all proposals will be assessed for their impact on young people.

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Mr Beast Becomes 8th Person To Climb The Burj Khalifa

Nov 4 2024

Jimmy Donaldson, widely known as MrBeast, has made headlines as the eighth individual to ascend the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building.

In a video shared online, he expressed his exhilaration, stating, “I made it! I am standing on top of the tallest building in the world. This is terrifying! I shouldn’t have looked down; that’s scary!”

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A post shared by MrBeast (@mrbeast)

Reactions to his daring feat varied among viewers. One commenter dismissed the accomplishment, remarking, “So what? Tom Cruise did it first, and he wasn’t scared!”

Another user admired the experience, saying, “That’s really cool; I would love to see that view from the top.” However, some viewers expressed their fear of heights, with one stating, “No thanks, absolutely terrified of heights. You never know if it’s the fear of falling or something else.”

This stunt follows a tumultuous period for Donaldson, who recently faced allegations of workplace misconduct and brand controversies, which he has denied, claiming the accusations about his company hiring questionable individuals are unfounded.

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Maltese Parliamentary Delegation Joins 40th Small Branches Conference

Nov 4 2024

On 4 November, the Maltese delegation led by Deputy Speaker David Agius, and comprised of Government Deputy Whip Davina Sammut Hili and Opposition Whip Robert Cutajar, attended the opening sessions of the 40^th Small Branches Conference and the 8^th Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians Conference which took place in Sydney, Australia.

During the first workshop of the Small Branches Conference which discussed twinning between parliaments, Robert Cutajar spoke of the Parliamentary Friendship Groups between the Maltese Parliament and the Parliaments of other countries. He also asked the panellists to share best practices for twinning and other forms of friendship groups, both for members of parliament and for parliamentary staff.

The second workshop, titled ‘Accelerating Digital Innovation for Resilience and Growth in Small Jurisdictions’ was chaired by Deputy Speaker David Agius. In his opening remarks, he spoke of the need to leverage technology through innovation and how this is essential for small jurisdictions like Malta, that face unique and compounding challenges like limited resources, reliance on imports and amplified impact of climate change. He also spoke of the need for resilience and of how parliaments play a key role in fostering an environment that encourages innovation and supports economic development.

During the first workshop of the 8^th Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians Conference, which debated the political participation of young women and girls, Davina Sammut Hili emphasised the need for more education, more role-models that young girls can look up to, as well a safe space to encourage young women to enter politics. She also mentioned the need to support youth-led initiatives.

The delegation also participated in the election of the new chairperson of the CPA Small Branches. Valerie Woods, Speaker of the Parliament of Belize, was elected.

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WATCH: Glenn Micallef Arrives For Grilling

Nov 4 2024

Glenn Micallef, Malta’s nominee for the European Commission, is set to face a crucial hearing today before the European Parliament’s Committee on Culture and Education (CULT). As the youngest nominee for Commissioner, at just 35 years old, Micallef is vying for the role of Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture, and Sport. His ability to demonstrate competence and expertise in these areas will be critical in passing this stage and advancing toward joining the EU’s executive body.

MEPs from both the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) and European People’s Party (EPP) have already voiced strong support for Micallef. In meetings with Maltese journalists, MEPs Hannes Heide (S&D) and Zoltan Tarr (EPP) praised his qualifications and the potential impact he could have on Europe’s cultural and creative sectors.

Heide emphasized that these sectors indirectly support millions of jobs and highlighted Micallef’s dedication to public engagement, while also stressing the importance of youth involvement in policymaking, an area where Micallef is seen as having strong potential. Tarr echoed these sentiments, noting Micallef’s alignment with the Erasmus+ program, which holds significant importance for youth and education in Europe.

While Micallef’s Labour Party affiliation is not expected to be a major factor in the committee’s decision, his understanding of EU structures and policies will play a crucial role. Having served as Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Robert Abela and Director General of Malta’s EU Coordination Department, Micallef brings extensive experience in EU affairs. His performance at today’s hearing will shape the committee’s recommendation, which could influence the final parliamentary vote later this month, determining whether Micallef secures this key European Commission role.

You can also WATCH HERE.

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