Mind-broadening trip for four students

Malta's membership of the Commonwealth has taken on a new perspective for four teenagers who spent a few days in London last week meeting Commonwealth dignitaries.

The four admitted to not having known much about the organisation before taking part in an essay competition organised by the British High Commission in Malta earlier this year. The prize for the students who placed in the top four was a five-day trip to London.

The sixth form students met Commonwealth Parliamentary Association secretary general Denis Marshall, Commonwealth Secretariat secretary general Don McKinnon and Royal Commonwealth Society director general Stuart Mole. They also met Maltese High Commissioner Michael Refalo.

"Coming here and meeting people high up within the Commonwealth organisations has helped me broaden my knowledge," 16-year-old Daniela Bartolo, who attends St Aloysius College said.

For De la Salle College student Andrew Camilleri the meetings turned his "two-dimensional" view of the Commonwealth into a "more alive" picture.

"Apart from opening my mind and learning more about the Commonwealth itself, this visit also allowed me to meet people in senior positions, which I believe will help me in the future," said the 17-year-old, who would like to study law at university.

Another aspiring lawyer, Matthew Mizzi, believes that the Commonwealth is still important, even though it needs to do some soul searching about its role in the future. The 17-year-old, who has a strong interest in current affairs, said that following last week's trip he was not only well informed about the European Union, but also about the Commonwealth.

Matthew attended St Aloysius College and is planning to start studying law at university in October. Marija Farrugia, another St Aloysius student, also believes that the experience will help her in one way or another. "No experience is ever a waste of time," she said.

The Commonwealth dignitaries seemed happy to discuss various issues and answer any questions posed by the students, who instead of being looked upon as youngsters were treated as equals with the ability to have a grown-up and interesting conversation.

This prompted Andrew to remark that one of the problems in Malta was that some people in high-up places expected others to bow their heads and listen.

"These people were very open with us, and treated us as equals even though they are very important people who are changing history," he said.

Matthew said the meetings showed there were those who appreciated the views of young people.

"The fact that somebody asks us what we think and discusses important issues with us makes us feel that we are contributing to society," he said.