Visionaries: Predictions and Hopes for 2025

The results of the European Parliament elections in June showed that there were many issues affecting our quality of life, which transcended partisan politics. Thousands of people wanted to flag the aspects which bothered or worried them. Vanessa Macdonald spoke to some experts to find out what could be done in 2025…

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Sustainable mobility for all

Prof. Maria Attard, Director, Institute for Climate Change and Sustainable Development

The year 2025 marks the end of the first quarter of this century, and much has changed since the year 2000. Mobility in particular has changed in Malta. Car dependence has significantly influenced the way we move and, over the years, its negative impacts on the transport system, society, the environment and public health have increased to critical levels. Congestion and pollution levels are unsustainable and public health concerns over obesity and other diseases have been consistently rising since the start of this century. Our public spaces are dominated by cars whether parked or moving, and our elderly and children have lost their independence because of fear and smelly, dirty and unpleasant streets. 2025 is our opportunity to do better!

My predictions and hopes for 2025 is to work on truly sustainable mobility for all. The idea that we design and develop a transport system which fits and provides for everyone, for those that wish to drive, walk, cycle and use shared modes (including public transport).

Moving away from the “system of automobility” will not be easy, and it has never been easy in the many cities that have engaged with shifting away from the car. I hope for a political champion who will forge ahead with the necessary infrastructure changes, primarily building (again) the network of connected and accessible pavements to encourage and support walking. And a network of cycle lanes that connect actual locations and the introduction of cycling lessons for both school children and adults. In this manner we provide the means and the skills for people to shift.

Public transport is provided the space to operate efficiently and not compete with the car for road space. And for parking to be effectively priced to reflect the cost of our precious urban space.

I hope for a change in discourse that moves away from mobility based on private car ownership (even electric…) to multi-modality: the possibility of moving around through clean and sustainable modes. Walking and cycling for short trips and using public transport or other shared modes for longer distance trips. I predict changes in public attitudes if we start changing our (political) discourse.

The year 2025 is a good year to start with quick wins, small and cheap infrastructure changes and designing the future visions for a sustainable transport system for all!

Sustainable environment

Zen D'Amato Gautam, Founder, Director, Eco Market Malta

We’re living in some pretty exciting times. In just the last few years, we've seen technology make huge leaps – AI, rockets aimed at Mars – and so much more. It’s amazing how far we’ve come. But while we’re reaching new heights in tech, we’ve still got a long way to go when it comes to understanding how important it is to be in sync with nature. We’re part of the environment, and if we don’t take care of it, our way of life – and even our survival – will be in jeopardy.

For the past several years, Eco Market has been a steadfast advocate for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a particular focus on Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. This goal highlights the urgent need to rethink the way we consume and produce goods to ensure a sustainable future for our planet. Every product we buy has a story, and it’s our responsibility to ask the right questions. Who made it? Where does it come from? Was nature harmed or a community exploited to create it? Were the workers involved treated fairly and paid a living wage?

These questions are not just about holding companies accountable but also about empowering consumers to make informed and ethical choices. When we take a moment to reflect before making a purchase, we can drive demand for sustainable practices, fair trade, and eco-friendly innovations.

Looking to the future, I’m excited about the shift toward sustainability and ethical consumption. I believe eco-friendly options will be the standard, not the exception. More and more, consumers will demand products that are sustainable, made from recycled or renewable materials, and designed to be energy efficient. Circular economies – where products are reused, repaired, and recycled – will become the norm. And for brands, transparency will be key. Consumers will want to know where their products come from and how they’re made, including the conditions under which they’re produced.

This is the future I hope for: a future where we make conscious choices, knowing that we’re protecting our planet and supporting ethical practices. In 2025, let’s make mindful shopping a habit. Let’s choose products that are good for the earth, good for people, and that contribute to a healthier, more sustainable world for generations to come. This is the future we all deserve.

Embracing Holistic Wellbeing

Pia Vassallo, Founder, Metta Wellbeing

We stand at the intersection of rapid innovation and complex global challenges. Navigating these challenges demands building resilience, collaboration, adaptability and innovative thinking. To create a prosperous and creative future, we must adopt a holistic, proactive approach to wellbeing that integrates personal development into the foundations of society, organisations, and individual lives.

Mental health concerns are escalating worldwide. Gallup’s 2023 Global Emotions Report highlighted a troubling trend: stress, worry, and anger are at record highs, with 41% of adults worldwide reporting daily stress. The European Commission’s 2023 report highlights that businesses investing in mental employee wellbeing see improved employee retention, higher productivity, and reduced absenteeism. This is particularly relevant in Malta, where SMEs dominate the economy and depend heavily on adaptive and engaged employees.

Research demonstrates a simple yet powerful concept: thriving individuals create thriving communities, businesses, and societies.

Focusing solely on addressing disorders overlooks the broader spectrum of human potential. Wellbeing programs that nurture strengths, foster resilience, and promote growth offer a more transformative approach.

Positive Psychology (PP) offers evidence-based strategies, tools and techniques to address complex challenges and ambiguity. By focusing on strengths, engagement, meaning and purpose, PP shifts the narrative from weakness to strengths, from challenges to opportunities, from surviving to flourishing.

A prosperous 2025 requires shifting from reactive health care to proactive wellbeing strategies, integrating wellbeing practices into daily routines rather than addressing them only during crises.

For individuals, embracing lifelong learning, using one’s strengths, mindfulness, and regular physical exercise are all proven to equip individuals to manage stress and adapt to uncertainty. Leaders who model these traits foster cultures of trust and innovation within organisations, setting the stage for collective growth and productivity.

Companies that embed wellbeing into their core strategies consistently outperform competitors, demonstrating the tangible benefits of such investments.

Imagine a 2025 where mental health is destigmatised, personal growth is a societal norm, and innovation is fuelled by wellbeing.

The Japanese concept of kaizen, or continuous improvement, reminds us that small, incremental changes can lead to profound growth.

In 2025, let us prioritise holistic wellbeing over disorder and crisis management, emphasising empowering individuals to discover their potential and fostering environments that inspire engagement, meaning, creativity, and growth. Thriving individuals lead to prosperous organisations and innovative societies.

By embracing holistic wellbeing, we can navigate uncertainty with confidence, creating a 2025 where prosperity is not merely financial but deeply human, sustainable, and inclusive.

SUSTAINABLE FINANCES THROUGH LITERACY

Sarah Pulis, Head – Conduct Supervision, Malta Financial Services Authority

As we step into 2025, financial literacy continues to emerge as a cornerstone of individual empowerment and societal wellbeing. It’s not just a skill: it’s a pathway to resilience, confidence, and informed decision-making. A financially literate person is better equipped to navigate the complexities of today’s economic landscape, ask the right questions, and make choices that align with their personal goals.

The Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) has embraced this vision, making financial literacy central to its strategic priorities. Through the work of its Financial Education Committee, the MFSA is not only educating but also inspiring communities to take charge of their financial futures. By focusing on vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and youth, it ensures that no one is left behind in this journey toward empowerment.

In 2024, we have made tangible progress. From engaging TV and radio discussions to face-to-face presentations for students, seniors, and small shareholders, the MFSA has equipped citizens with greater knowledge on investments, insurance and banking products and services. The MFSA has also raised more awareness on scams and financial safety, topics that are increasingly critical in our digital age.

Our collaboration with the OECD, under the European Commission-funded TSI project, is one of the latest endeavours that the MFSA has taken on, to be implemented over the next two years. By leveraging global expertise, Malta is advancing its financial literacy agenda. The integration of these efforts into schools and through consumer associations showcases a forward-thinking approach, ensuring that financial literacy becomes a lifelong learning journey.

Financial literacy is not merely about managing money: it’s about building a resilient society. It equips individuals to weather economic uncertainties and fosters a culture of accountability and growth. As I look to the future, my hope is that these initiatives translate into higher levels of financial literacy in Malta, where it is universally accessible and embraced as a fundamental life skill.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND CULTURAL HERITAGE

Patrick Calleja, Executive President, Din l-Art Ħelwa

Sustainable development is supposed to have emerged as a critical imperative for nations around the globe. Recent international political events, however, particularly in the United States, have shifted this imperative into reverse gear by seriously aggravating the threat to climate change. Of course, it is not just climate change that is defining a path towards a more sustainable future, but it is certainly a catalyst.   Thankfully Malta has its own Sustainable Development Strategy for 2050: every little bit helps!  This Strategy actually includes “Placing Culture and Heritage at the Heart of the Development of Our Local Communities” as one of its objectives and it is the importance of this aspect that this short essay focusses upon.

It has been said that, except perhaps for the centre of Rome, Malta and Gozo have more buildings of architectural significance per square kilometre than anywhere in the world. Our megalithic temples, baroque churches, fortifications, urban conservation areas are not just tourist attractions; they embody our identity and values. Quoting from Malta’s Sustainable Development Strategy for 2050: “Cultural heritage is the backbone of our society and is fundamental in developing a sense of belonging within a community. Therefore, by safeguarding and enriching it, Malta will be protecting our cultural identity while enhancing social capital, boosting economic growth and ensuring environmental sustainability.”

Climate change poses very real threats to Malta and Gozo, including rising sea levels, increased temperatures and erratic weather patterns. It is just a matter of time until the effects of these climatic changes on the natural and built environments are shockingly manifested locally with unaccustomed cataclysmic scenes. It will be perhaps at that point in time when the value of our cultural built heritage and natural environment – because it will be nearly lost for good – will finally be acknowledged.  Nature, not man, will be to blame.

The rapid urbanisation and uncontrolled development taking place in Malta and Gozo, driven by economic demands and a growing population, is a constant threat to these cultural landmarks. It is also unsustainable. One very recent and critical example of this short sightedness and lack of planning is the approval by the Planning Authority for the development of a housing estate and aparthotel within 18th century Fort Chambray in Gozo. The development will necessitate the demolition of most of a 19th century British Barracks and the relocation of its façade. This form of development diametrically opposes the objectives set out in Malta’s Sustainable Development Strategy. Our Islands do not need another hotel either. Clearly, for now, the real and greater threats to our cultural heritage and to the sustainability of a cohesive, equitable and empowered society are manmade. We are prepared to blame Mother Nature for our losses but not ourselves. First step towards sustainable development: education.

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