National Sexual Health Strategy - Sociologists' feedback

The Malta Sociological Association (MSA) has submitted the following feedback to the European Commission about the National Sexual Health Strategy 2025-2030:

The Malta Sociological Association (MSA) notes the public consultation for the National Sexual Health Strategy 2025-2030. The MSA proposes the adoption of a Social Impact Assessment (SIA), as part of this strategy, 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.

Sociologists' feedback on the Labour Migration Policy Consultation Document

In its official feedback to the Government's Labour Migration Policy consultation document, the Malta Sociological Association emphasised the need to to mainstream social impact assessments and to embed sociological research in the policy making process. This would advance evidence-based policy making.

The feedback submitted by the Malta Sociological Association to the Government states:

The Malta Sociological Association (MSA) welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on the Labour Migration Policy consultation document. As an organisation committed to advancing sociological research and fostering evidence-based policymaking, we emphasise the necessity of integrating a robust social impact assessment (SIA) framework within the policy.

Mainstreaming Social Impact Assessments (SIA) in Labour Migration Policy

Labour migration has profound social, economic, and cultural implications for both migrants and host communities. While economic considerations often take centre stage in migration policymaking, it is equally critical to assess the broader social dimensions. To this end, we recommend that the policy framework explicitly mandates Social Impact Assessments (SIAs) as a standard practice throughout the policy cycle. 

This would ensure that:
- Policy formulation is informed by a comprehensive understanding of the social effects of labour migration on key areas such as community cohesion, housing, education, healthcare, and social integration.
- Implementation and monitoring include ongoing sociological research that tracks how migration policies impact both migrant workers and Maltese society over time.
- Adjustments and revisions to the policy are evidence-based, ensuring that unintended negative consequences—such as social fragmentation, exploitation, or marginalisation—are identified early and addressed effectively.

Embedding Sociological Research in Policy Design and Evaluation

To strengthen policy effectiveness and societal cohesion, MSA also advocates for a systematic incorporation of sociological research in labour migration policymaking. 

This includes:
- Pre-policy research: Conducting sociological studies to map existing migration trends, understand public attitudes, and assess sectoral labour needs beyond economic metrics.
- Continuous evaluation: Establishing research-driven mechanisms to monitor social integration, discrimination, workplace conditions, and the well-being of migrant communities.
- Community engagement: Ensuring that policy development involves consultations with diverse stakeholders, including civil society organisations, experts, migrant communities, and local residents, to promote a more inclusive and participatory approach.

Social Plan for the Family - MSA feedback to public consultation

The Malta Sociological Association refers to the public consultation on the proposed ‘Social Plan for the Family’. 

It welcomes the work planned to be conducted on the proposed Plan and, importantly, the intention to develop a comprehensive implementation and monitoring framework towards this end. In particular, the MSA notes the following declaration: "To ensure the effective implementation and monitoring of the Social Plan, a High-Level Group for Implementation and Monitoring will be established. This group will develop a comprehensive monitoring framework with quantitative indicators and timelines for each initiative, supplemented by qualitative assessments through surveys and stakeholder engagement feedback." (PCD, p. 12).

The MSA recommends the application of methods as per standards and principles set out by the International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA), in particular those governing social impact assessments. 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”. 

The IAIA principles provide an effective and structured framework along which the High-Level Group for Implementation and Monitoring may operate. Importantly, adequate resources need to be invested in this High-Level Group and ongoing research if it is to be impactful.

Children's Policy Framework - 2024-30: MSA Feedback

The Malta Sociological Association welcomes the public consultation process on the Children's Policy Framework 2024-30  In this regard, MSA is proposing that the process mainstreams social impact assessments within it. 

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.

Drug victim reform process should be guided by evidence, not partisan interests - Malta Sociological Association

The Malta Sociological Association expressed its disappointment that the public consultation process on the drug victims reform is being sensationalized and subjected to partisan interests. It would be much more fruitful to have a mature, evidence based deliberative process on this public consultation, involving different stakeholders.

On its part, the Malta Sociological Association recommends that this policy reform employs a social impact assessment 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.

Image: TVM News

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.

Online Book Launch: Social Welfare Issues in Southern Europe

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/LNzrQAadsgwdDjRv5

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

A Social Vision for Malta 2035 - Malta Sociological Association feedback

 MSA feedback to public consultation: A Social Vision for Malta 2035

 TO: research.rpod@gov.mt  

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:

 https://www.socialimpactassessment.com/documents/IAIA%202015%20Social%20Impact%20Assessment%20guidance%20document.pdf  

 

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.

Press Release: Dementia Public Consultation – MSA sends feedback

The Malta Sociological Association has submitted the following feedback to the Ministry for Senior Citizens and Active Ageing (Social Care Standards Authority) regarding the public consultation on  Social Regulatory Standards – Residential Services for persons living with dementia

 “The Malta Sociological Association welcomes the fact that public consultation about residential services for persons living with dementia is being carried out by Government.

 The MSA has the following feedback: 

 While Standard 1: Residents’ Rights is certainly a step in the right direction, conceptually speaking, human rights are different from human needs, and as such, the Standards make no reference to ‘advance care planning’. This refers to people thinking about, discussing and recording their wishes and decisions for future care. It is about people planning for a time when they may not be able to make some decisions themselves. In other words, advance care planning involves people making plans about what they want to happen while they are alive. This is different from people making plans about what should happen when they die. This is why this is especially important for people with dementia. Two forms of advance care planning which the Standards are best to include are the following:

 

Making statements about future needs and wishes. People can say what they would like to happen if they lose capacity to make decisions in the future. This can cover care, support and treatment. While these statements don't need to be written down, it is best to do this. It is also important to decide the best place to keep these statements so that the right people can refer to them when needed. For example, general practitioners could keep a copy as could a relative or friend, and it might be attached to a care plan. Examples include: I would want to stay in my own home as long as possible / I would only want to be supported with personal care by women / I would want to continue to have a glass of wine with my evening meal.

 

Making advance decisions to refuse treatment. Some advance statements could be about medical treatments that a person would not want, were they to lose capacity to make decisions about these in future. Some examples include: I would not want a blood transfusion because of my religion / I would not want any further chemotherapy for my cancer, in the event of my cancer reaching stage IV.

 

Quality Indicator 5: The service provider shall appoint an events coordinator and shall encourage the residents to actively take part in planning and participation in social and leisure activities is again a step in the right direction. However, it is highly lamentable that - despite the fact that learning is a fundamental human right - the Standards consider persons with dementia as an ‘education wasteland’.  Indeed, notwithstanding the fact that numerous research studies demonstrated people with dementia can learn something new, the Standards treat life with dementia in residential care facilities as incompatible with learning. In other words, residential care facilities for persons with dementia are typically viewed as settings where older adults go to spend their final days, not to fulfil their potential. As ageing experts are aware, most studies on learning and dementia to date have had an outspoken focus on how rehabilitative interventions can be implemented in order for people living with dementia to relearn information or abilities that they once knew. However, most care standards for persons living dementia have been occupied with containment rather than expansion, on retaining familiar activities, rather than enabling novel learning experiences. Lamentably, these Standards are no exception, something which we find very peculiar indeed, since the Maltese academic community is fortunate enough to include an academic geragogist (Marvin Formosa), something that few other countries have at their disposal. 

 The MSA is also proposing that this policy process employs a continuous social impact assessment (SIA) process, to ensure greater outreach and deliberation with stakeholders, through both quantitative and qualitative research methods, and subject to independent peer-review.  An SIA could produce valuable evidence for policy formation and implementation.”

Press Release: Future of Europe Conference - MSA submits its feedback

The Malta Sociological Association (MSA, registered Voluntary Organisation) has submitted its feedback to the  Conference for the Future of Europe, an EU-wide initiative which is currently in place.

MSA welcomed the Conference and adding that such public consultation should be mainstreamed across EU institutions and at different levels of governance.

MSA proposed that EU legislative options should measure, quantify and consider of the various costs of insularity experienced by small states, islands and isolated regions. This should then guide policy formation accordingly.

In its second proposal, MSA proposed that EU legislative options should factor in and take account of social impacts and the intersection of various factors.

The MSA text submitted to the Future of Europe conference reads as follows:

Small States and Social Impacts: proposal by the Malta Sociological Association

EU legislative options should measure, quantify and consider of the various costs of insularity experienced by small states, islands and isolated regions. This should then guide policy formation accordingly.

EU legislative options should factor in and take account of social impacts and the intersection of various factors.

EU legislative options mainstream social impact assessments , to ensure greater outreach and deliberation with stakeholders. 

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:

 https://www.socialimpactassessment.com/documents/IAIA%202015%20Social%20Impact%20Assessment%20guidance%20document.pdf  

Link to MSA proposal: https://futureu.europa.eu/processes/Economy/f/10/proposals/19077?locale=mt

Press Release: National Autism Strategy - MSA reaction

The Malta Sociological Association (registered VO) welcomes the fact that a National Autism Strategy is being proposed for Malta for the period 2021-30.

In this regard, the MSA submitted its comments to the Autism Advisory Council within the Ministry for Inclusion and Social Wellbeing. As an Association which advocates evidence-based policy making, the MSA suggested that the proposed strategy and consultation exercise employs a social impact assessment, to ensure greater outreach and deliberation with stakeholders. Such a tool should be a continuous process, and not a one-off exercise.

 

In its official feedback, the MSA submitted a number of features which can be included in the SIA process.