Aħseb u Ara is a podcast hosted by the Malta Catholic Youth Network and the Justice and Peace Commission. This project is the result of a collaboration that began in 2021 and led to the Youth Engagement Study research, which was carried out in the same year.
The aim of these podcasts was to discuss themes from the Social Teaching of the Church. While there is an element of information in each episode, we wanted these themes to be discussed in a conversational style, relevant to young people. Therefore, in each episode (apart from the first and the last one), the two guests were young people themselves who shared their experiences with us.
Click here to download Discussion Guide to be used during meetings with young people.
Episode 1 – Discourse
In this episode we talk about polarization in public discourse, why it happens, and how it is growing. The importance of meeting the “other” is mentioned, both when we agree with each other and when we disagree. What can we do so that dialogue brings unity and not division?
🎙️ Guests
Daniel Darmanin – President of the Justice and Peace Commission
Benjamin Flores-Martin – Delegate of the Archbishop for Youth
🎙️ Presenters
Emma Lanzon – Malta Catholic Youth Network
Mark Cachia – Justice and Peace Commission
Episode 2 – Principles of Catholic Social Teaching
This episode introduces in more detail Catholic Social Teaching. The seven main principles of this Teaching are mentioned, whilst highlighting the Dignity of human beings. We also discuss the consequences which result from a failure to respect these principles.
🎙️ Guests
Giulia Privitelli
Adam McCarthy
🎙️ Presenters
Emma Lanzon – Malta Catholic Youth Network
Mark Cachia – Justice and Peace Commission
Episode 3 – The environment
In this episode, we talk about the environment and the relationship we are called to have with it. We discuss the reasons behind the inconsistencies between words and actions and the relevance of our faith on the way we take care of the environment.
🎙️ Guests
Miriam Bonello
John Debattista
🎙️ Presenters
Emma Lanzon – Malta Catholic Youth Network
Mark Cachia – Justice and Peace Commission
Episode 4 – The mission of the Church
In this episode, we talk about the Church and her mission in relation to Catholic Social Teaching. We discuss the ways in which this teaching finds its roots in the Bible and how, in the present day, it takes concrete form in various initiatives that put the marginalized at the centre of the Church’s mission in Malta.
🎙️ Guests
Sarah Camilleri
Arnold Mugliett
🎙️ Presenters
Emma Lanzon – Malta Catholic Youth Network
Mark Cachia – Justice and Peace Commission
Episode 5 – The family
In this episode, we talk to a young couple about their life as a family. Among the themes discussed, we talk about the type of decisions which have to be taken as a family, how life in community changes, and the challenges which have to be faced.
🎙️ Guests
Claire Callus
Simon Callus
🎙️ Presenters
Emma Lanzon – Malta Catholic Youth Network
Mark Cachia – Justice and Peace Commission
Episode 6 – The economy
In this episode we talk about the economy and its relevance in our life as Christians. We discuss points of agreement and disagreement between Catholic Social Teaching and some of our secular economic models. What is the role of faith in our economic decisions?
🎙️ Guests
Clarissa Micallef
Maria Giulia Pace
🎙️ Presenters
Emma Lanzon – Malta Catholic Youth Network
Mark Cachia – Justice and Peace Commission
Episode 7 – Work
🎙️ Guests
Cecilia Zammit Endrich
Gabriel Pullicino
🎙️ Presenters
Emma Lanzon – Malta Catholic Youth Network
Mark Cachia – Justice & Peace Commission
Episode 8 – Peace
In this last episode, we look back at all the themes discussed during this series of podcasts. Listeners and viewers are invited to take action on an individual level and as communities. We also discuss the role of politics and the involvement of Christians in this area which is extremely important in determining the type of society we want to build and in the promotion of peace and social justice.
🎙️ Guests
Daniel Darmanin – President of the Justice and Peace Commission
Benjamin Flores-Martin – Archbishop’s Delegate for Youth
🎙️ Presenters
Emma Lanzon – Malta Catholic Youth Network
Mark Cachia – Justice & Peace Commission