In the words of Kofi Annan, UN Secretary-General (2004), “tolerance, intercultural dialogue and respect for diversity are more essential than ever in a world where people are becoming more and more closely interconnected”, multiculturalism is more than simply recognizing and acknowledging the diversity and differences prevalent in society. It is a complex, controversial and challenging topic. However, despite these challenges, it is time to acknowledge that we are living within a highly fluid multicultural society which is becoming even more diverse. As leaders, educators, and service providers, it is our job to ensure everyone feels included and empowered to help community cohesion develop. The purpose of our organisation is to help raise awareness of Multicultural Integration and to address two components of integration: stability to the community on one hand, and growth and development on the other.
The idea of forming NWAMI International Malta is rooted in NWAMI UK, a charitable non-profit organisation registered in Wales and England in February 2011. Founded by Dr Sibani Roy, NWAMI UK is considered by leading British authorities as the UK’s foremost leading organisation in the field of interracial understanding. Rapidly increasing globalisation, economic instability and clashes between cultural values highlighted the importance of promoting multicultural integration for building cohesion within and between countries and their communities. This inspired Dr Roy to spread NWAMI UK’s wings overseas by appointing the organisation’s honorary international advisor Ms Maria-Gabriele Doublesin as Chair of NWAMI International who has been tasked with recruiting a team including proposing Baron Chev Anthony Coleiro as her deputy.
Accepting the call, Maria-Gabriele and her newly formed team are preparing the groundwork for a new Voluntary Organisation to address the needs of Malta’s contemporary social fabric and to bring about a better understanding of issues related to multicultural integration.
Find out more about NWAMI International Malta’s Aims and Objectives.