Studenti Attivisti: Breaking Free From Partisan Politics
Studenti Attivisti has emerged as a breath of fresh air for student politics at Junior College (JC).
Founded in October of last year by a group of passionate students, this non-partisan movement has offered a platform for activism and community engagement without the influence of political partisanship.
Since its launch last year, Studenti Attivisti has been on a mission to promote this sense of critical thinking, challenging the status quo within the student council and beyond.
This group provides an alternative to the more established, politically coloured student organisations, SDM and PULSE, the longstanding leading student organisations in JC.
In an interview with Lovin Malta, Co-Founder and President, Ilenia Debono, spoke candidly about her disappointment with the existing partisan dynamics within JC’s student politics.
She explained that after joining JC, she was surprised to find student organisations heavily influenced by national political affiliations, which felt limiting
“The Pulse-SDM rivalry had become a joke,” Debono said, noting that many students were frustrated by what she described as a “duopoly.”
Reflecting on the response since Studenti Attivisti’s launch, Matthew Farrugia, the group’s treasurer, noted that gaining traction in the beginning was a challenge.
“At first, it was tough to get students engaged, but we’ve seen a growing interest in our work over the past year,” Farrugia shared
The support they have gained this past year is a growing desire among JC students for a group that prioritises genuine representation and activism over political allegiance.
Francesco Giorgino, a co-founder of Studenti Attivisti, says that it does not wish to divide the student body along partisan lines; instead, it offers a platform for genuine expression and inclusion.
“We do not believe that splitting the school through political ideology… is the way to go.”
With Studenti Attivisti’s first executive team now in place, Benjamin Borg, the Secretary General outlined their goals for the academic year. At the top of their agenda is contesting the KSJC elections to have a culture of critical thinking and encourage open debates among the student body.
In addition to participating in council elections, Studenti Attivisti is working towards formal recognition from various influential bodies including University of Malta, the Council of Voluntary Organisations, and the National Youth Council.
Borg explained by achieving this recognition is extremely important for the group’s long-term ability to impact student life.
Looking to the future, Studenti Attivisti has ambitions to expand its influence beyond JC. Debono shared that the group has already seen interest from university students, suggesting a natural path for growth.
“We would be more than happy to expand beyond Junior College,” she said,noting that although resources are a challenge, this council aims to inspire and collaborate with students from other institutions.
The ultimate goal, she explained, is to empower students to become more active citizens, whether through activism or by directly engaging with politics.
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