Sustainable Development Network Subcommittee presents its recommendations

After months of meetings, the Sustainable Development Network Subcommittee within the Sustainable Development Directorate has presented its recommendations to Hon. Minister Miriam Dalli 📄

MSA is proud to be one of the contributors to this subcommittee and is represented by Damjan Attard 🌍💡

The MSA Annual General Meeting 2026

The Malta Sociological Association (MSA) invites its members and prospective members to attend its Annual General Meeting (AGM), an important forum for discussion, decision-making and the election of the Executive Committee.

The AGM of the Malta Sociological Association will be held on Friday 13th March 2026 at 18:00. The meeting is open to paid members of the MSA and those interested in joining the MSA (payments can be affected on the day). Members interested in joining the meeting should inform us by Monday 9th March 2026 by sending an email on maltasociologicalassociation@gmail.com. Members are encouraged to renew their membership. More details on the renewal of membership can be accessed through this link.

Members are also invited to come forward with any proposals regarding the amendment of statute of the organisation so that these may be inserted in the agenda of the meeting accordingly. Kindly send these by email to 

maltasociologicalassociation@gmail.com by Friday 20th February 2026. 

    

Self-nominations for specific positions on the Executive Committee may be sent to maltasociologicalassociation@gmail.com and need to be addressed to the Secretary. The subject of the email should be: Nominations MSA Committee. Nominations will be received until Friday 20th February 2026. Only paid members of the MSA may submit a nomination for the Executive Committee.   

    

The positions that need to be filled are the following:   

    

• Chairperson   

• Vice Chairperson   

• Secretary  

• Treasurer 

• Public Relations Officer    

• Events Officer   

• Outreach Officer   

• Training Officer   

• International Relations Officer   

  

The AGM will be held in Floriana. Venue will be announced closer to date. Following the meeting you are welcome to join us for dinner at Balzunetta in Floriana.

MSA Newsletter January, 2026 Volume 4, Issue 1

 

Public Consultation Feedback: Digital Health and Health Data Strategy 2030

The Malta Sociological Association (MSA) notes the public consultation on the Digital Health and Health Data Strategy 2030. The MSA welcomes the emphasis placed on patient-centred care, digital transformation, and innovation, including the use of artificial intelligence and health data. At the same time, the MSA strongly recommends the systematic incorporation of Social Impact Assessment (SIA) within the design, implementation, and monitoring of this strategy, in order to assess how digital health reforms interact with social life, social inequalities, and existing patterns of access to healthcare.

The International Association for Impact Assessment defines Social Impact Assessment as “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, but ongoing processes which engage with various stakeholders and which report back so as to ensure effective policy processes.

From this perspective, digital health and health data initiatives are not purely technical or administrative interventions, but social processes that may have differentiated impacts across population groups. These include, among others, issues related to digital health literacy, unequal access to digital tools, trust in data governance, data privacy, the reshaping of patient–provider relationships, and the implications of algorithmic decision-making for equity and accountability within healthcare systems. An SIA would ensure that public expectations are met, local norms are respected, and that exposure to risk (especially for the secondary use of health data) at different levels within society is mitigated. It also ensures transparency about AI training, including opportunities and limitations, and the inclusivity of minority groups in the building of health digital platforms to ensure accessibility.

Public Consultation Feedback - Regenerating White Rocks

The Malta Sociological Association (MSA) notes the public consultation on the development of new national parks, including the proposed transformation of White Rocks into a green public space for recreation and community use. The MSA strongly recommends the incorporation of Social Impact Assessment (SIA) in the planning and management of these spaces.

The International Association for Impact Assessment defines Social Impact Assessment as “the processes of analysing, monitoring and managing the intended and unintended social consequences, both positive and negative, of planned interventions and any social change processes invoked by those interventions”. The MSA emphasises that SIA should be an ongoing and participatory process, engaging local communities and diverse user groups over time. Embedding SIA in the development of national parks such as White Rocks would help ensure that these spaces are inclusive, accessible, and socially responsive in the long term.

Public Consultation Feedback: Realignment of the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy

The Malta Sociological Association (MSA) notes the public consultation on the Realignment of the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, which seeks to reposition Malta’s approach to AI by placing inclusivity and sustainability at its core. The MSA welcomes the explicit move away from a technology-first approach and the emphasis placed on ethical principles, public trust, and human oversight. In this context, the MSA strongly recommends the systematic incorporation of Social Impact Assessment (SIA) as a core component of the strategy’s design, implementation, and ongoing monitoring.

The International Association for Impact Assessment defines Social Impact Assessment as “the processes of analysing, monitoring and managing the intended and unintended social consequences, both positi
ve and negative, of planned interventions (policies, programs, plans, projects) and any social change processes invoked by those interventions”. Artificial intelligence strategies constitute profound social interventions that may reshape labour markets, public services, governance practices, social inequalities, and everyday decision-making. While AI presents significant opportunities for innovation and efficiency, it also raises critical questions related to bias and discrimination, accountability, transparency, trust, data governance, and the distribution of risks and benefits across different social groups.

An SIA is an interdisciplinary process, and should employ various methods, both quantitative and qualitative. Social impact assessments should not be one-off exercises, but ongoing processes which engage with various stakeholders and which report back so as to ensure effective policy processes. Embedding SIA within the National AI Strategy would strengthen its foundational principles, support adaptive governance, and help ensure that AI-driven innovation in Malta contributes to socially inclusive, equitable, and sustainable outcomes over time.

MSA's feedback on Social Media Reform

The MSA has participated in the Consultation on Social Media Reform. MSA welcomes the recognition of both the social value and the significant challenges associated with social media platforms, particularly concerning vulnerable groups such as children and young people. In this context, the MSA strongly recommends the systematic incorporation of Social Impact Assessment (SIA) in the development, implementation, and evaluation of any regulatory or policy reforms concerning social media use and governance.

The International Association for Impact Assessment defines Social Impact Assessment as “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”. Social Impact Assessment is an interdisciplinary process that draws on both quantitative and qualitative methods, and should be embedded as an ongoing and participatory practice, rather than a one-off exercise. The MSA emphasises the importance of engaging a wide range of stakeholders, including young people themselves, caregivers, educators, mental health professionals, and civil society organisations, in order to better understand how platform design, algorithmic systems, and regulatory measures shape social behaviour. Particular attention should be paid to differentiated impacts across social groups, including children, adolescents, parents, educators, and those already experiencing forms of social or psychological vulnerability. Incorporating SIA within social media reform would enhance policy responsiveness, support evidence-informed regulation, and contribute to more socially attuned, proportionate, and effective governance of digital platforms in Malta.