13 Amazing Ideas Malta Should Learn From More Progressive Countries

October 5, 2018 at 11:03 am

Malta is seen as a fairly progressive country – marriage equality is in force, divorce is legal, and our gender identity laws are among some of the most groundbreaking worldwide.

However, as progressive as we think we are, there’s always room for improvement, and Malta could learn a thing or two from other countries around the world. We’ve checked out some of the weirdest and wildest ideas globally and wondering how we can apply them to Malta and Gozo.

1. Speed Camera Lottery needs to be a thing

In Stockholm you can actually win money by obeying the law! These guys have a Speed Camera Lottery. If you’re speeding, you’ll obviously get fined – but if you’re obeying the speed limit, you’re automatically entered into a lottery to win cash money!

2. We really need to adopt this Estonian system

Estonia offers country-wide free Wi-Fi to everybody, meaning you can literally cross the whole country without losing your connection. Their connection to the interwebs is so efficient, the country stopped using paper for business and legal procedures eighteen years ago!

3. School lunches in France will make you jealous

The French are known for being into food, and the rule stays true with their schools. Campuses adhere to a very strict nutritional policy when it comes to meals on offer. Forget your fast-food snacks – schoolchildren are served a variety of freshly-prepared meals that keep nutrition, quality and flavour in mind.

4. Baby kits for pregnant women should be a must

Parenting is no joke, and parenting is expensive. That’s why every pregnant woman in Finland is offered a free baby kit by the government to help her get by. This kit comes fully equipped with nappies, socks, clothes, sheets, bottles and everything else both a mother and baby need.

As an added bonus, the actual box can be used as a cot!

5. Christmas Tax Reductions are totally a thing in Norway

The Norwegian government extends its Christmas cheer in the most rewarding way possible (literally!) No one likes paying taxes, so all Norwegian residents get a 50% tax cut off state taxes throughout November – the best early Christmas present ever!

6. Germany will make you a pro eco-warrior in no time

Germany has seen a drop of 50% in waste per-capita since the 90s. The reason behind it: people have started recycling and composting with a vengeance ever since a policy was issued to have their rubbish weighed. In essence, you pay according to a fee according to the amount of waste your household produces.

7. Fines in Sweden are based on your income

Some people might feel like a €200 fine is the end of the world while others may see it as a mere slap on the wrist. In Sweden, fines are based on the individual’s income, meaning payment is adjusted per infringement to accommodate residents’ varying salaries.

8. Wasting food should be illegal

In some countries, supermarkets and grocers are actually prohibited from throwing past-due food away. Since most of these foods are perfectly fine for consumption after their best-by date, it’s illegal to throw them away, and are instead donated to local charities.

9. Siesta needs to become Malta’s next big thing

Sure – everyone in Malta and Gozo loves a good siesta already, but what if it was illegal to not get your afternoon nap after lunch?

In Spain and some parts of Italy, offices and shops close down in the afternoon for a couple of hours, with the aim to allow shop owners and workers a solid lunch with their families and a quick ap. This is done so that people can have lunch with their families and nap their heads off.

Siestas are already common practice across the Mediterranean, which makes sense how terribly hot it gets in the afternoons. We move that bouts of post-lunch drowsiness are genetic and we want legal siestas yesterday.

10. Free drug testing should be the norm

In order to avoid drug-related deaths, the Netherlands offer free drug testing to users. The whole process is done quickly and anonymously, which not only leaves less room for dodgy drugs, harmful substances and potential deaths, but also helps treat victims of drug abuse in a more efficient and safe way.

11. Automatic organ donation is the way forward

Malta’s system for organ donation is opt-in, meaning that if you want to donate your organs after you die, you need to get a donor card. You’ll also have to keep said card in a place where people can actually find it when you die.

In countries like Argentina however, an opt-out system is in place, so you only need to get a card if you don’t want your organs to be donated.

12. Finnish schools have ditched exams

Students in Finland are graded on an individual basis. Meaning that students get their merits based on their individual achievements and not on a one-size-fits-all system.

Instead of focusing on increasing test scored, the Finnish focus their system on having happy and healthy students by offering them a safe learning environment. Their education focuses on individualised guidance, emotional support and practical learning. This is done by creating learning styles which are tailor-made according to the students’ skills and needs.

13. Safe access to abortion is a human right in Nepal

It is the Nepalese government’s duty to offer safe access to affordable and secure abortions for women in the country. The procedures are to be done within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, and can even come at the recommendation of doctors when the pregnancy poses physical or mental health threats on the mother or foetus.