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Port of Call |
LAST UPDATE March 12, 2008
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| November 10, 2007 |
Valletta, Malta – Cultivating Peace at the Peace Laboratory |
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The entrance to Peace Laboratory: although founded by a Franciscan father and influenced by Christianity, the Lab welcomes anybody, regardless of creed |
Malta is known as a popular tourist destination for vacationing Europeans who flock there every summer for its inviting beaches and rich heritage. However, a less known aspect of Malta is its long association with war. To counteract this, a group of committed individuals have dedicated their lives to creating a culture of peace on the island. At the core of their efforts lies the the Peace Laboratory, a non-government organization situated in Hal Far. Established in 1971 by Franciscan Father Dionysius Mintoff, and hailing Mother Teresa among its many dignified visitors, Peace Lab was a response to the need for an open and unrestricted meeting place where people from diverse backgrounds could come together to discuss issues related to peace. Guided by the motto “Peace is Possible!,” they deal with a wide range of issues, from disarmament to refugees. When Peace Boat called into Malta, a group of participants visited this NGO to see how the peace movement developed on the island. |
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| For thirty years, Father Mintoff has dedicated his life to Peace Laboratory and the ideals it represents |
Historically, Malta has always been known as a fortress and associated with military or war-related activities. During World War II for example, the island was occupied by the British who monitored and planned the war from there. It has traditionally been of strategic importance, as both Europe and Africa can be easily reached from the island. The Peace Lab was established during the Cold War, when the world's political climate was dominated by two superpowers, the United States and the USSR. In response to the arms race by the two entities, the Lab began protesting for disarmament. The presence of the Peace Laboratory contributed significantly to transforming Malta from a strategic military stronghold with a culture of war, into a place with a strong culture of peace. |
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Telling the long and fascinating history of Peace Laboratory to participants, who were surprised to learn that Malta was so crucial during
World War II |
The name of the NGO comes from the notion that they didn’t want to be associated with one particular cause. ‘We didn’t like to call it an institute, a school or a movement. We wanted to be free, to choose our work,’ explained Father Mintoff. ‘We built people instead of premises,’ he added. Although Malta is a Catholic nation and Peace Lab is adorned with many Christian symbols and houses a chapel, it welcomes and accommodates people from all backgrounds and even built a mosque on the premises. |
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| An iron mold of Gandhi, who is honored inside Peace Laboratory as a symbol of peace |
In addition to acting as a meeting place for dialogue about peace and related themes, the organization runs an extensive adult education programme through various radio programmes (on almost all local radio stations) and newspapers. This is run by volunteers, and features a variety of topics such as discussing the lives of those who dedicate themselves to peace. They also organize events for youth and have been instrumental in introducing peace education from primary school through to university, and changing the curriculum which was previously taught from a British colonialist perspective. |
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Participants discussed some of the issues raised while talking to Father Mintoff in the museum of the Peace Laboratory, which contains artifacts from all over the world |
As a fluid and flexible movement, Peace Laboratory is well equipped to deal with a range of issues. Since 2002 when African migrants started arriving on Malta’s shores in broken vessels, sick and hungry, the organization has played a pivotal role in helping them, and is one of the few organizations in Malta making a positive difference to their lives. Father Mintoff became concerned about their wellbeing after many were dropped off at the entrance to the chapel 'like abandoned babies.' Peace Lab volunteers worked together to build small houses for them on the premises. The government intended to deport them, but those sent back were often imprisoned, tortured and killed. Acting on behalf of the migrants, Peace Lab won a court ruling which stated that those from war-torn Somalia should not be sent back and was able to assist in acquiring refugee status for many of them. ‘In a laboratory, you can discover a sickness and develop a cure. We are the peace cure,’ exclaimed Father Mintoff. |
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