Faces, young people and the (usual) moral panic

Abstract

Letting Go One of the most rewarding moments in my Deanship is that instant when you are sit- ting 'on the boards' watching the faces of the graduates immensely satisfied that they have managed to see through the project they started three or four years earlier. Their face says it all, they are telling us; 'do not stifle our enthusiasm', 'we want to take the lead now', 'you had your chance, now let go . Much as this might sound painful and disturbing to people my age and even older it is fundamental that we heed the message. I remember being 18, 20, 24 years old wanting to bring the so much needed changes in the post 80' s era. I wanted to crack open the Malta I wanted for myself and for my children, family and friends. Not that I had any expectations to change the World but I surely believed that one could transform or at least leave an impact on the circle around him/her. I was never happy resting in my cosy comer, I gave it a shot, I did my part. Our generation had some success and numerous failures. Notwithstanding, that some of the social dents I used to see as a 20-year-old I did not manage to repair yet I gave the forces of iniquity a run for their money. And yes, we need to start letting go. The thousands of graduates collecting their certificates during this month are ready to lead and take