Letters | Sunday, 15 February 2009

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More transparency in migrants’ movement

MaltaToday (8 February) carried a detailed article: “Youth roll up their sleaves [sic] for migrants’ solidarity”. It reports on the formation of a new group, Migrants Solidarity Movement, but quotes only one person, Ann Bugeja, without indicating her position.
Thankfully, however, you give the group’s website (www.migrantssolidaritymovement.org)
I went through it and I appreciate it is not finalised yet. The following remarks are meant as constructive criticism to help the movement update its website and reach the level of transparency expected of an NGO with a public mission.
The website does not show the names of the individuals and NGOs making up the movement. It says the annual general meeting is held in January and elects the Board of Directors, but the latter’s identity is not revealed. There are two endearing references to JRS and UNHCR. The reference to the Marsa Open Centre omits to mention Suret il-Bniedem, the NGO running it.
This may be significant, but not conclusive proof of the movement’s make-up. In any case, transparency demands full disclosure of the persons behind the movement.
The website further says the movement was set up in September 2008 under the Voluntary Organisations Act. I conclude that it has applied, or intends to apply, for money under this Act. Full disclosure of the Movement’s income and expenditure is therefore called for. I expected to find this under the rubric ‘Resources’ on the website. Instead I found references to two publications (2004 and 2006). But, more helpfully, the links include: UNHCR, JRS, Moviment Graffiti, Skop, Migreurop and (best of all, because of its often hysterical publications!) Fortress Europe. UNHCR’s mandate covers refugees, not immigrants.
Judging by the website, I have no doubt about the good intentions behind this movement and its members. However, those who follow these issues would appreciate knowing much more about the persons running it, as they aspire to influence public policy and tap public funds. Transparency should be their guiding light.

Louise Vella
Mosta

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