New horizons for a digitally-enabled engagement of the Maltese - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

EDWIN B ORG -M A NC HÉ & A LEXA NDER B ORG

New horizons for a digitally-enabled engagement of the Maltese diaspora

Point of departure: two “pain points”

 The Maltese diaspora

 The feeling of a temporally and spatially distant homeland  Integration with the host country leading to…

disconnectedness, disengagement, and ultimately nostalgia

 For those in the homeland

 A microstate competing with giants  The constant strive for niche markets  The realities of being a tiny market and a minority language

The “inalienable sense of imagined, partial, or nostalgic belonging in a place that is not here, while going about the business of building a life here” (Lauren Wagner, Feeling Diasporic, Wageningen University, The Netherlands, 2012)

What if we had to view…

 The diaspora as an extension of the domestic

market?

In areas of market failure such as books, film-

making, creative arts…

 The diaspora as part of one larger Maltese

talent pool?

Hard-to-find specialisation and expertise,

entrepreneurs, angel investors…

The underlying rationale

 Maltese Living Abroad + Malta = 0.9M pop.

163,000 2nd & subs gen. in AU (Cauchi, 2014) 418,000 1-2-3 gen. in CA, AU, NZ, UK, US (Borg

& Borg, 2010)

 Maltese diaspora concentrated in world’s most

advanced economies

How many have graduated, specialised, become

entrepreneurs in these countries?

Institutionally, what are we doing to connect with each other in today’s globalised, interconnected world of today?

Two instruments available

 Constitution of Malta: Section 20A, Chapter II -

Declaration of Principles:

 “The State shall facilitate the participation of Maltese citizens

who live abroad in the political, social, economic and cultural life of Malta”

 Digital Malta – https://digitalmalta.gov.mt/

 Encourages an entrepreneurial and innovative mindset  Empowers citizens  Brings government closer to citizens through technology

Relevant actions in Digital Malta

Homeland to diaspora: A3 – Empower the elderly A10 – Developing online content A11 – Maltese language tools A26 – Transacting with government A36 – Accessing health records A40 – Accessing notarial deeds A33 – eDemocracy Diaspora to homeland: A16 – Supporting entrepreneurship A17 – Attracting investment in ICT, stepping stone to EMEA markets A20 – Seed funding/internationalisation A22 – eCommerce markets

A vision enabled by digital technologies

Facilitating, strengthening, cultivating participation in the political, social, economic and cultural life in Malta

Political Maltese citizens worldwide voting electronically and participating in relevant decision making Social Enhance interconnectedness & world view among Maltese citizens worldwide Economic Widen the Maltese pool of talent, expertise and experience, enabling diaspora entrepreneurs Cultural Widen the market potential of Maltese language products & services, perpetuate Maltese culture

Develop relationship as a two-way street

Extend participation to and by the diaspora through business, cultural & social engagement Improve sustainability of Maltese art, language & culture products; harness talent and expertise via professional networks and business ventures

Recommendations

1.

Give consideration to relevant Digital Malta actions enabling concepts and ideas that apply to the diaspora

2.

Consider bilateral arrangements with other EU Member States to better service diaspora citizens

3.

Consider the diaspora as an extension of the domestic market for Maltese culture & language (apps, YouTube)

4.

Promote student internships, research collaboration and staff exchanges focusing on smart specialisation areas

5.

Carry out an inventory of diaspora skills, experience and expertise

6.

Re-assess the role of embassies and consulates to focus more on business networks and trust relationships

Thank you

Paper presented at the 4th Convention of Maltese Living Abroad Valletta, Malta, 20-23 April 2015

 Edwin Borg-Manché, Dip. Bus. (Deakin), LL.D (Malta); Member,

Council for Maltese Living Abroad; Honorary Consul of Malta in Victoria, Australia; Vice President, Maltese Community Council of Victoria, Inc. ebm@iinet.net.au

 Alexander Borg, MSc. (Derby); Manager, MITA Innovation Hub at

SmartCity Malta; co-author of Digital Malta – National Digital Strategy 2014-2020 alexander.borg@gov.mt