More Than Just Statistics: Unveiling Youths’ Stories Behind the Numbers

Imagine, if you will, the bustling streets of Valletta on a sunny afternoon. The Three Cities ferry glides across the Grand Harbour, while tourists and locals alike enjoy a gelato at the Barrakka Lift. Now, picture this: among the crowd, there’s a young person, let’s call them Alex. Alex is just one of the 25,000 youths in Malta and Gozo, a number that’s often bandied about in policy discussions. But what does that number really mean? Behind every single number, there’s a life, a story, a future. This is the story of Alex and many others like them.

Numbers That Matter

According to Eurostat, in 2020, 14.7% of Maltese youth were at risk of poverty or social exclusion. That’s 3,675 young people, each with their own unique challenges and dreams. But these aren’t just numbers on a page. They’re young people struggling to find jobs, afford education, or secure stable housing. They’re young people who might be facing mental health issues, or feeling disillusioned with the system. They’re young people who deserve more than to be reduced to a statistic.

Rethinking Youth Support in Malta

Malta’s youth support services are vast and varied, from government initiatives like the Youth Guarantee to NGOs like Aġenzija Żgħażagħ. But are we doing enough? Are we doing it right? The answer, according to many youth workers and young people themselves, is no. We’re not failing, but we could be doing better.

Take the Youth Guarantee, for instance. It’s a great initiative, providing young people with a job, an apprenticeship, or a place in education or training within four months of leaving formal education or becoming unemployed. But it’s not enough. “It’s a band-aid solution,” says Maria, a youth worker at a local NGO. “We need to address the root causes of youth unemployment and disillusionment, not just the symptoms.”

Youth-Led Solutions

What if we asked young people what they need? What if we involved them in the decision-making process? This is where initiatives like the Youth Council and the National Youth Policy come in. They’re steps in the right direction, but they’re not enough. We need more youth-led initiatives, more spaces for young people to voice their concerns and ideas.

Take the Youth Climate Movement Malta, for example. These young activists aren’t waiting for adults to save the planet. They’re taking action, demanding change, and showing us all what’s possible when young people are empowered. They’re not just a number. They’re a force to be reckoned with.

So, let’s go back to Alex, standing at the Barrakka Lift. Alex is more than a number. Alex is a young person with dreams, with fears, with a future. And that future deserves more than just lip service. It deserves action. It deserves support. It deserves a chance.

What Can We Do?

As a community, we can start by listening to our young people. We can support youth-led initiatives and demand that our policymakers involve young people in decision-making processes. We can volunteer our time and skills to youth organizations. We can challenge stereotypes and prejudices about young people. And we can remember that behind every number, there’s a life. A life that deserves to be seen, heard, and supported.

Let’s not just of youth unemployment and disillusionment. Let’s tackle them head-on. Let’s demand better for our young people. Let’s give them the future they deserve.

As Alex watches the ferry glide across the Grand Harbour, let’s make sure they see a future worth fighting for. Because Alex is more than a number. Alex is our future.