Press Release
Noise Pollution - Sociologists query definition of Environmental Noise
The MSA referred to the International Principles for Social Impact Assessment, which defines SIA as being “the processes of analysing, monitoring and managing the intended and unintended social consequences, both positive and negative, of planned interventions (policies, programs, plans, projects) and any social change processes invoked by those interventions”.
"An SIA is an interdisciplinary process, and should employ various methods, both quantitative and qualitative. Social impact assessments should not be one-off exercises: To the contrary, they should be ongoing processes which engage with various stakeholders and which report back so as to ensure effective policy processes," concluded MSA.
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Date: 6 December 2022
To: Valletta SUMP Public Consultation, Transport Malta
Risk Management, Policy and EU Affairs Department
With reference to the consultation in question, the Malta Sociological Association (registered VO 1323) proposes that the entire policy process employs social impact assessments in an ongoing process.
The International Principles for Social Impact
Assessment defines SIA as being “the processes of analysing, monitoring and
managing the intended and unintended social consequences, both positive and
negative, of planned interventions (policies, programs, plans, projects) and
any social change processes invoked by those interventions”.
An SIA is an interdisciplinary process, and should employ
various methods, both quantitative and qualitative. Social impact assessments should not be
one-off exercises: To the contrary, they should be ongoing processes which
engage with various stakeholders and which report back so as to ensure
effective policy processes.
In this regard, you may
refer to international SIA standards, for example those set by the
International Association for Impact Assessment, which is accessible from this
link:
Reference: (2003) International Principles For Social Impact Assessment, Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal, 21:1, 5-a12, DOI: 10.3152/147154603781766491
Online Public Seminar, Malta Sociological Association:
Solidarity in Times of Crisis - Verena Fink / Vanja Petrovic
Date: Thursday 15 December 2022
Time: 7.30pm (CET) via Zoom
To register kindly send an email to: maltasociologicalassociation@gmail.com
As part of its “Visibility of the Invisible” series, during December, the Universal Human Rights Month, the Malta Sociological Association (MSA) is organizing an online public event to mark the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as International Volunteer Day, Human Rights Day and International Human Solidarity Day.
Our guest speakers will be:
Ms. Verena Fink, educator and trauma therapist (Greece)
Title: “Solidarity as an answer to the economic crisis and people on the flee in Greece”
Ms. Vanja Petrovic, journalist and PhD candidate (USA/Serbia)
Title: “Cooking in solidarity as a decolonial feminist practice”
Moderator: Ms. Ljiljana Cumura, Chair of the MSA Academic Sub-Committee
About the speakers:
Verena Fink was born 1973 in Germany some km close to the French borders. Did not get to know the grandparents from Ukraine and Russia. Education: M.A. LMU University Munich/Germany (Drama studies, German language, Art history), Pedagogy studies (Theatre pedagogy / educational play, University Munich), Experiential education / Outdoor Training (Pedagogical Academy Linz, Austria), Integrative Trauma Therapy (Institute for Trauma Therapy MIT, Munich, Germany), Training in Sociocracy (Diploma as Sociocratic Facilitator, Certified Sociocratic Expert). After 25 years in Munich /Germany now since 2017 in Thessaloniki/Greece. Educator (cultural and political seminars), trauma therapist, Sociocratic facilitator and Expert. Convinced European and freelancer, climate activist and strong believer in solidarity. Firmly decided not to learn a 4th foreign language. As a volunteer in different antiracist projects, member of the coordination team of Ecopolis, a social space in Thessaloniki for solidarity and ecology, responsible for food / clothes distributions and still writing a blog, speaking around Europe about what is happening in Greece with the refugees.
Vanja Petrović is a PhD student of social work at the University of Belgrade. She is also a recipient of Circle U’s mobility grant for early career researchers. As part of the program, she is working with professor Eivind Engrebretsen and other colleagues at the University of Oslo’s Center for Sustainable Healthcare education on exploring cooking as an ethnographic methodology. The act of cooking together or of cooking for someone immediately connects us across racial, gender, political, economic, and other lines. Looking into this act can help “bring the researcher down a peg” on equal footing with the researchee. This idea was born out of Vanja’s experience as an organizer of the Novi Sad Kitchen of Solidarity. Through her work in the kitchen, Vanja also developed an interest in exploring how feminist goals can be accomplished and principles maintained in spaces that were not explicitly feminist or “feminist-forward.” This led her to thinking about the “end user” or “beneficiary” of such non-hierarchical spaces, though they may be difficult to pinpoint, particularly his or her positionality in such a deeply idealistic project, which is the core of her current PhD thesis work.
#StandUp4HumanRights
You are invited to the MSA Christmas Get-Together on the 27th December 2022, 7.30pm at the Gillieru Restaurant, St. Paul's Bay. Friends welcome!
Kindly make your reservations via email to maltasociologicalassociation@gmail.com by the 22nd December 2022.
The Malta Sociological Association is closely following the current debate in Malta's parliament and public sphere on abortion and reproductive health.
MSA is conscious of the divergent positions on the matter, sometimes even within the same groups, organisations and institutions. We therefore strongly urge for parliamentary consensus in favour of a national process of deliberation on the issue, involving not only political parties and civil society organisations, but also experts in various fields as well as other stakeholders, including those who do not necessarily have high visibility in the public sphere. This process of deliberation can also recommend possible ways forward on this sensitive matter, including on how decisions can be taken in the legislative and policy processes.
The Malta Sociological Association (MSA) expresses its grief and sadness related to the murder of Bernice Cassar. We express condolences to her family and friends, and appeal for caution and respect in public discourse on the matter.
The MSA augurs that the rule of law and justice prevail in the investigations related to this and other cases. At a broader level, we believe in a more deliberative policy process, which is based on evidence and which gives due consideration to factors such as people’s grievances , institutional shortcomings and challenges, expert advice, and power relations.
The International Principles for Social Impact Assessment defines SIA as being “the processes of analysing, monitoring and managing the intended and unintended social consequences, both positive and negative, of planned interventions (policies, programs, plans, projects) and any social change processes invoked by those interventions”.
An SIA is an interdisciplinary process, and should employ various methods, both quantitative and qualitative. Social impact assessments should not be one-off exercises: To the contrary, they should be ongoing processes which engage with various stakeholders and which report back so as to ensure effective policy processes.
In this regard, you may refer to international SIA standards, for example those set by the International Association for Impact Assessment, which is accessible from this link:
Reference: Frank Vanclay (2003) International Principles For Social Impact Assessment, Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal, 21:1, 5-a12, DOI: 1
To: Ministry for the Environment, Energy and Enterprise (Environment & Resources Authority)
The International Principles for Social Impact Assessment defines SIA as being “the processes of analysing, monitoring and managing the intended and unintended social consequences, both positive and negative, of planned interventions (policies, programs, plans, projects) and any social change processes invoked by those interventions”.
An SIA is an interdisciplinary process, and should employ various methods, both quantitative and qualitative. Social impact assessments should not be one-off exercises: To the contrary, they should be ongoing processes which engage with various stakeholders and which report back so as to ensure effective policy processes.
In this regard, you may refer to international SIA standards, for example those set by the International Association for Impact Assessment, which is accessible from this link:
Reference: Frank Vanclay (2003) International Principles For Social Impact Assessment, Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal, 21:1, 5-a12, DOI: 1
The Malta Sociological Association has sent the following feedback to the Ministry for Agriculture, regarding the following public consultation: https://meae.gov.mt/en/Public_
With reference to the consultation in question, the Malta Sociological Association (registered VO 1323) proposes that the policy process which comprises the national strategy employs social impact assessments in an ongoing process.
The International Principles for Social Impact Assessment defines SIA as being “the processes of analysing, monitoring and managing the intended and unintended social consequences, both positive and negative, of planned interventions (policies, programs, plans, projects) and any social change processes invoked by those interventions”.
An SIA is an interdisciplinary process, and should employ various methods, both quantitative and qualitative. Social impact assessments should not be one-off exercises: To the contrary, they should be ongoing processes which engage with various stakeholders and which report back so as to ensure effective policy processes.
In this regard, you may refer to international SIA standards, for example those set by the International Association for Impact Assessment, which is accessible from this link:
Reference: Frank Vanclay (2003) International Principles For Social Impact Assessment, Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal, 21:1, 5-12, DOI: 10
From: Malta Sociological Association
With reference to the
consultation in question, the Malta Sociological Association (registered VO 1323) proposes that the policy process which comprises the national
strategy employs social impact assessments in an ongoing process.
The International Principles for Social Impact
Assessment defines SIA as being “the processes of analysing, monitoring and
managing the intended and unintended social consequences, both positive and
negative, of planned interventions (policies, programs, plans, projects) and any
social change processes invoked by those interventions”.
An SIA is an interdisciplinary process, and should employ
various methods, both quantitative and qualitative. Social impact assessments should not be
one-off exercises: To the contrary, they should be ongoing processes which
engage with various stakeholders and which report back so as to ensure
effective policy processes.
In this regard, you may
refer to international SIA standards, for example those set by the
International Association for Impact Assessment, which is accessible from this
link:
Reference: (2003) International Principles For Social Impact Assessment, Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal, 21:1, 5-12, DOI: 10.3152/147154603781766491
The Malta Sociological Association, in collaboration with the Department of Sociology, Faculty of Arts, and the Department of Arts, Open Communities and Adult Education, Faculty of Education, University of Malta, will be hosing the online book launch of 'Social Welfare Issues in Southern Europe', edited by Dr Maria Brown and Dr Michael Briguglio and published by Routledge.
The book launch will take place online (via Zoom) on Thursday 27 October between 1730 and 1900 CET. The following authors will be discussing the book and will be answering questions from the audience: Maria Brown, Michael Briguglio, Luca Verzelloni, Carla Valadas, Joanne Cassar, Jesus Sabariego, Peter Mayo
The event will be chaired and moderated by Liliana Cumura, Bridget Borg, Maria C. Borg on behalf of the Malta Sociological Association
To register for participation in the online book launch, please fill in online form at: https://forms.gle/
More details on the book, which is available in hardback and electronic copy, and which includes a special discount through code on event poster: https://www.routledge.com/Social-Welfare-Issues-in-Southern-Europe/Brown-Briguglio/p/book/9780367206420
This volume is the first of its kind to discuss social welfare issues using case studies from a broad range of Southern European countries, both large and small, a decade after the financial crisis. It identifies similarities and differences in the ways in which Southern European countries engage with specific welfare issues and examines whether Southern European welfare is distinct from that of the rest of the continent. The book also engages with the impact of COVID-19 on the social welfare issues under investigation. The volume is divided into four sections, each examining in detail issues including employment, education, health, sexuality, globalization, social movements and migration. With its contributions from experts in the field, the volume is recommended for academics, researchers and students of sociology, social policy, economics, education, politics and social movements.
Facebook event page: https://fb.me/e/3F7jqTI8I
As part of Global Climate Change Week 2022, Friends of the Earth Malta (FoEM) and the Malta Sociological Association (MSA) are organising a documentary screening and discussion on the topic of community energy. The film 'We the Power' by Patagonia, chronicles local energy cooperatives as they pave the way for a renewable energy revolution and build healthier, more resilient communities.
After the film we will have a discussion on community energy in Malta, with the participation of Dr Antonia Proka from REScoop.eu, the European federation of citizen energy cooperatives, Mr Adrian Spiteri, Finance Director at AQS Med, a local renewable energy company, Dr Michael Briguglio (MSA), and Dr Suzanne Maas (FoEM). Questions, thoughts and comments from the audience are encouraged for an engaging debate.
📆 13th October │ 18:00 - 20:00
📍 British Legion Bar, Valletta 👉https://goo.gl/maps/gyzPxjpbQFarqV2g9
Entry is free, with some refreshments provided.
🤳 Registration required 👉https://foemalta.org/event/com
Facebook event page: https://fb.me/e/4Uge7GJvs
Date: 13 October 2022
With reference to the
consultation in question, the Malta Sociological Association (registered VO 1323) proposes that the policy process employs a social impact
assessment process.
The International Principles for Social Impact
Assessment defines SIA as being “the processes of analysing, monitoring and
managing the intended and unintended social consequences, both positive and
negative, of planned interventions (policies, programs, plans, projects) and
any social change processes invoked by those interventions”.
An SIA is an interdisciplinary process, and should employ
various methods, both quantitative and qualitative. Social impact assessments should not be
one-off exercises: To the contrary, they should be ongoing processes which
engage with various stakeholders and which report back so as to ensure
effective policy processes.
In this regard, you may
refer to international SIA standards, for example those set by the
International Association for Impact Assessment, which is accessible from this
link:
Reference: (2003) International Principles For Social Impact Assessment, Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal, 21:1, 5-12, DOI: 10.3152/147154603781766491
MSA feedback to public consultation: A Social Vision for Malta 2035
Research and Evaluation Unit, Research, Policy and Operations Division,
Ministry for Social Policy and Children’s Rights (MSPC),
The Malta Sociological Association welcomes the policy process leading towards a Social Vision for Malta 2035. In this regard, would like to make the following proposals:
1. Malta’s social vision should mainstream regular social impact assessments across all policy levels, across the board. SIAs should also be an integral part of the monitoring process of this vision, and in particular of the mid-term evaluation report.
Various methods, both quantitative and qualitative could be used within social impact assessments. SIAs should involve the participation of different stakeholders. Analytic indicators should be provided, and the entire process should be subject to peer review by independent experts in the field. This could help identify shortcomings and possible improvements to the same SIA. SIAs should not be one-off exercises: They should be ongoing processes which engage with various stakeholders and which report back so as to ensure effective policy processes. They should also use complementary research methods so as to ensure reliable and valid data. We refer to international SIA standards, for example those set by the International Association for Impact Assessment:
2. The Social Vision needs to factor-in the impacts of current and possible future contexts and situations which may result in new opportunities, risks, challenges, vulnerabilities and precariousness. Presently, these include Climate Change, Covid-19. the invasion of Ukraine, and the gig economy.
3. The Social Vision needs to dovetail with other policy priorities at global, European, national and local levels, such as the EU Green Deal.
4. The Social Vision needs to factor in Malta’s status as a small-island state and related factors such as hyper-personalisation, patronage, stigma and community.
5. Investment in professionals and workers working across the various fields of social policy, should be strengthened. Workers who are not unionised should not be excluded from such investment, and special attention should be made to combat precariousness.
6. The roles of local communities, the voluntary sector, civil society, NGOs, and social movements should be acknowledged and factored-in across the board.
7. Evidence-based policy making should be the guiding thread across the board, before other considerations such as a-priori ideological judgements on issues and policy prescriptions. Academia and the research community should play an integral part in the policy-making process.
8. Local and regional governments should have stronger roles in social policy, particularly in matters related to public space, accessibility, community life and local development.
