The European pro-life federation ‘One Of Us’, of which Family Solidarity is affiliated, held its inaugural summer course in Malta on 30 July – 2 August. The course was aimed at young people, aged 18-35. The One Of Us network has 50 affiliated non-governmental organisations in 18 member states which contribute to its work at an EU-level. Its president is former Maltese senior cabinet minister and European Commissioner, Dr Tonio Borg. Family Solidarity member Jack Traynor attended the summer course in Malta on behalf of FS.
There are many parallels between Malta and Ireland, both historically and in contemporary politics. Malta achieved self-government from Britain in 1922, the same year that saw the establishment of the Irish Free State. A Catholic country, Malta has maintained, to date, some of the most impactful pro-life laws in the Western world. Ireland shared in that proud distinction until 2018. And just as Ireland’s pro-life constitutional amendment was slowly chipped away at from the moment it was inserted into our constitution in 1983 by popular referendum, Malta’s pro-life policy has continually been under siege by abortion advocates – in particular international organisations like Planned Parenthood.
During the One Of Us summer course in Malta, which was made up of approximately 30 participants from across Europe, we had the opportunity to discuss the problems facing our respective countries. We also had the chance to listen and ask questions to speakers including Tonio Borg, formerly an EU Commissioner, and Peter Agius, a Member of the European Parliament. Dr Borg is particularly attuned to parallels between Ireland and Malta, explaining the pressure he witnessed on pro-life Irish EPP politicians during his time as a senior EU politician.
Most participants in the course are primarily involved in politics, policy and other forms of pro-life activism through their home organisations. But we also had a valuable opportunity to visit a pro-life pregnancy support centre in the city of Mosta, where we listened to two counsellors who spoke about their volunteer work. They have been actively involved in helping women in unplanned pregnancies, offering them practical supports and even a place to live, enabling women to continue their pregnancies and saving lives in the process. They also have been involved in saving the lives of up to 50 babies by providing access to the life-saving abortion reversal pill for women who took the first abortion pill and immediately regretted their decision. Initiatives like this, often underfunded and reliant on private donations, are very encouraging and underline the importance of grassroots pro-life work.
Participation in the course was also a good opportunity to meet others involved in likeminded organisations linked to Family Solidarity through our mutual involvement in One Of Us. For example, the pro-life educational work aimed at children and students by the Fundacja Małych Stópek (Tiny Feet Foundation) based in Stettin, Poland was particularly impressive.
Family Solidarity will continue to work with One Of Us going forward, and it is intended that a joint event can be held in Ireland before the end of this year. The president of One Of Us is Dr Tonio Borg and its Executive Director is Dr Ségolène du Closel from France. Its website is www.oneofus.eu.