Call for Abstracts: #MaltaSociologyConference 2025

 The Malta Sociological Association will be organising the #MaltaSociologyConference 2025 on Saturday 8th November. 

The theme of this year's conference, which is sponsored by APS Bank, is Sustainability and Society. MSA is inviting submissions of abstracts relevant to the conference. Papers may fall under different sociological areas and topics related to sustainability and may deal with aspects of Maltese society and/or adopt a comparative approach with other aspects in other societies.  

To propose a paper, please send a brief abstract (150-300 words) to the email address maltasociologicalassociation@gmail.com by not later than 20th June 2025.

MSA's position on the "Review of the 2006 Local Plan Policies for Rural Settlement"

The Malta Sociological Association welcomes the Planning Authority’s efforts to update and clarify the policies governing rural settlements. 

The MSA emphasises the importance of systematically incorporating Social Impact Assessments (SIAs) into the planning and approval processes for developments in rural settlements. While environmental protection is rightly foregrounded, the social dimensions of rural development — including impacts on community life, social cohesion, heritage, accessibility, and demographic sustainability — deserve equal attention.

The International Association for 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 follows established social-scientific 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.

MSA's position on the "Partial Review of the Gozo and Comino Local Plan of 2006 for Ghajnsielem and Xewkija - Phase 2"

 The Malta Sociological Association (MSA) notes the public consultation for phase 2 of Partial Review of Gozo and Comino Local Plan. 

The MSA reiterates its proposal for the adoption of a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) that follows a comprehensive and scientific approach in conformity with the International Principles for Social Impact Assessment. The International Association for 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 follows established social-scientific 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.

MSA's position on the "National Volunteering Strategy 2025–2030"

The Malta Sociological Association (MSA) has submitted the following feedback as part of the public consultation on the "National Volunteering Strategy 2025-2030."

The Malta Sociological Association commends the development of the National Volunteering Strategy 2025–2030 and welcomes the opportunity to contribute. Below, we outline some recommendations to strengthen the strategic approach through evidence-based planning, social impact assessment, and conceptual clarity.

Data and Evidence-Based Planning

The strategy would benefit from a stronger commitment to research and data transparency. This includes:

• Ensuring regular, comprehensive research on the state of volunteering that informs strategic decisions and reflects sectoral needs.
• Making up-to-date data on Voluntary Organisations publicly accessible for research, policy, and sectoral planning. Data collection frameworks should be designed by qualified social scientists to ensure methodological robustness.
• In particular is the need for research to understand further the motivations that drive volunteers to engage and maintain their commitment. Formal recognition may indeed drive volunteers away from the sector, and therefore new ways of recognising and acknowledging the value of volunteering need to be factored in.

Social Impact Assessment

The strategy should adopt a dynamic and participatory approach to evaluation by establishing a continuous Social Impact Assessment (SIA) process that not only monitors outcomes but also enables ongoing adjustment of actions in response to changing social contexts. This SIA process should be embedded at the core of the review mechanism outlined in Section 8 (‘Implementation, Monitoring, and Review’, p. 39) and should be co-developed by both Voluntary Organisations (VOs) and the communities they serve. Doing so ensures that evaluation is grounded in lived experiences and enhances the long-term effectiveness of initiatives. A key feature of this approach should include mapping the logical pathways between activities, outcomes, and intended social impacts to maintain coherence between actions and strategic objectives — identifying assumptions, potential barriers, and necessary conditions for success. This mapping should be revisited and refined throughout the SIA process to ensure achievement of goals.

Terminology

Clear and consistent terminology is essential for a shared understanding across stakeholders:

• The strategy should avoid the general use of the term “NGOs” when referring specifically to Voluntary Organisations, as NGOs may include entities outside the voluntary sector.
• At one point (p. 27) the document mentions non-formal volunteering. If such discriminations are to be made at all, the document should clearly outline what it means when it refers to formal, non-formal and informal volunteering.

MSA's Position on the "Development Planning (Procedure for Applications and their Determination) Amendment Regulations

The Malta Sociological Association (MSA) notes the Planning Authority’s proposal to add a new development type in the development planning amendment regulations, covering onshore, offshore, and greenhouse-based renewable energy projects.

To this end, the MSA calls for the mainstreaming of Social Impact Assessments (SIAs) as an integral part of the planning and evaluation process, including specific energy projects and installations. The International Association for Impact Assessment defines SIA 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.” As an interdisciplinary, methodologically rigorous process grounded in the social sciences, SIA allows for a systematic understanding of how different communities, especially those situated n
ear or affected by projects such as renewable energy developments, experience, negotiate, and are impacted by such projects. This includes issues related to land use, visual and cultural landscapes, participation in benefit-sharing, and trust in institutions. Social impacts must be assessed and monitored as part of an ongoing, inclusive process that ensures transparency, responsiveness, and long-term social sustainability.

MSA Submits Feedback on EU’s Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) Regulation Public Consultation

The Malta Sociological Association (MSA) notes the public consultation on evaluating the Common Fisheries Policy (Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013). 

The MSA recommends that the evaluation and future revisions of the CFP Regulation integrate a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) as part of the policy process, following a comprehensive and scientific approach in line with the International Principles for Social Impact Assessment.

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 inherently interdisciplinary and relies on well-established social-scientific methods, both qualitative and quantitative.

Given that the CFP affects diverse coastal communities, labour markets, and household livelihoods, a structured SIA would provide critical insights into how policy impacts are experienced by different social groups. These assessments should not be one-off exercises but continuous processes that actively engage stakeholders and feed back into decision-making to ensure inclusive, adaptive, and effective policy implementation.

Therefore, the MSA encourages the embedding of a formal and participatory social impact assessment framework into the CFP, both for this evaluation and for future policy.

MSA elects new Committee for 2025

Following its Annual General Meeting for the current year, the Malta Sociological Association has elected a new committee, made up as follows:

Chairperson - Maria C. Borg

Vice-Chairperson - Ljiljana Cumura

Secretary - Donnah Calleja

Treasurer - Julian Micallef

Public Relations Officer - Daniel Gafa'

International Officer - Ljiljana Cumura

Training Officer - Brian Chircop

Outreach Officer -  Dylan Cassar

Committee Members - Bridget Borg, Michael Briguglio, Sara Mari Cardona, Mariella Debono