Press Release issued by the Office of the President of Malta

The President’s Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society hosts a public lecture by Professor Susan Hirsch
 
“We need to explore ways how we can communicate better about issues that cause deep differences and divisions”
 
The President’s Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society hosted a public talk entitled ‘Strong language: Negotiating deep differences while pursuing peace’. The talk was delivered by Professor Susan Hirsch, a Professor at the School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University, where she specializes in legal anthropology. She is currently a Fulbright Lecturer in the Law Faculty of the University of Malta, where she is also affiliated with the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies.
 
In a speech at the beginning of the Public Lecture, Her Excellency Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, mentioned how part of her vision as President of Malta is to always advocate for unity and peace in the society that we live in. She said that she believes that ‘this is possible, if all of us adopt a collective approach that is built on respect, inclusion and solidarity’. The President said that when we use strong language that inflames differences and instils hate, all of us as a society lose out.
 
The President suggested that new ways about how we can communicate better about issues that cause deep difference and divisions, need to be explored, and that ‘we need to be more mindful of the language we use when discussing deep differences especially if the discussion is happening in public’.
 
Her Excellency thanked Professor Hirsch for sharing her knowledge with all those present at the public lecture, and hoped that the lecture ‘will pave the way for a more inclusive world that welcomes differences even when they are deep’.
 
Finally, the President spoke about how proud she is that the President’s Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society is providing opportunities and spaces where people are free to discuss themes such as hate speech, and ‘where the seeds of change can take root for the benefit of current and future generations’.
 
Professor Hirsch noted that her talk was inspired by the Republic Day speech which Her Excellency Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, President of Malta delivered to the nation last month. Professor Hirsch added that her research experiences convince her that strong language in its negative sense makes it difficult for people to talk about the issues that matter to them and that divide them. She said that we need to be more mindful of the language we use to discuss our deep differences in public, especially if we want to avoid marginalising or silencing some individuals or groups.
 
A number of ambassadors and special guests participated in the event, which was very well attended. An interesting discussion followed the public talk. The event was held at the Grandmasters’ Hall at San Anton Palace.