MSA Newsletter Vol 1 Number 3, 2023

 

"What if a giant hot dog stand were to be set up right on Triton Square?" Sociologists to participate in Science in the City

 "What if a giant hot dog stand were to be set up right on Triton Square?" Sociologists to participate in Science in the City

The Malta Sociological Association and the Department of Sociology (Faculty of Arts, University of Malta) will be participating in this year's Science in the City event in Valletta.

During the event, the MSA and Department of Sociology will be presenting a simulation game entitled "What if a giant hot dog stand were to be set up right on Triton Square?"  - The game will explore changemaking through the science of Social Impact Assessments.  This will take place on Saturday 30th September between 6pm and 11pm at Biskuttin Gardens and Triton Square. The public is invited to participate. Entrance is free. 

Links: 

https://scienceinthecity.org.mt/

https://www.um.edu.mt/arts/sociology/

http://www.maltasociologicalassociation.com/

Public Consultation: Victoria Urban Upgrade, Gozo - MSA Feedback

As regards the public consultation process entitled 'Victoria Urban Upgrade', which was launched  by the Gozo Regional Development Authority, the Malta Sociological Association is proposing the commissioning of  a social impact assessment, through an ongoing process, conforming to international guidelines, such as those of the International Association for Impact Assessment. This comprises social-scientific methods with regard to consultation outreach.

Image: Gozo Regional Development Authority

Public Consultation - Sustainable fishing in the EU: state of play and orientations for 2024

The Malta Sociological Association submitted the following feedback to the European Commission on this public consultation. 

The Malta Sociological Association welcomes this initiative, which aims to gather feedback from stakeholders in the fishing sector. In this regard, the MSA would like to comment on the social dimension of this policy area. In this regard, the MSA believes that a social impact assessment, conforming to guidelines such as those of the International Association for Impact Assessment, should be employed.

Public Consultation: Bus and coach drivers – EU rules on driving and rest times

Feedback submitted by the MSA to the European Commission on this public consultation: 

The Malta Sociological Association welcomes this initiative, which aims to address the specific needs of bus and coach drivers in organising their working time. In this regard, the MSA believes that a social impact assessment, conforming to guidelines such as those of the International Association for Impact Assessment, should be employed to ensure decent and equitable job conditions and services. 

Public Consultation - Assisted Tracker devices for the older persons - MSA feedback

The Malta Sociological Association submitted the following to the Ministry for Active Ageing regarding its public consultation on  Assisted Tracker devices for the older persons:

The Malta Sociological Association welcomes the declaration that this online consultation "is part of a broader stakeholder consultation process that will contribute to the presentation of a full synopsis report that will provide overall conclusions on the issues raised in this Consultation Paper, with a qualitative analysis covering online replies, as well as the analysis of positions papers received from stakeholders."

In this regard, the Malta Sociological Association appeals to the Government to employ a social impact assessment, through an ongoing process, on this matter, conforming to international guidelines, such as those of the International Association for Impact Assessment. This comprises social-scientific methods with regard to consultation outreach.

Public Consultation in preparation for a second National Integration Policy and Action Plan - MSA Feedback

 With reference to the Public Consultation in preparation for a second National Integration Policy and Action Plan, the Malta Sociological Association submitted the following feedback to the Ministry for Home Affairs, Security, Reforms and Equality:

The Malta Sociological Association believes that social impact assessments, through ongoing processes, and conforming to guidelines such as those of the International Association for Impact Assessment should be employed in the field of Integration Policy and Action. This will enable a social-scientific analysis of questions such as those raised above, as well as the articulation, revising, and implementation of policy practices.