https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/123836 2026-05-05T14:55:10Z 2026-05-05T14:55:10Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/132778 2025-03-06T13:59:58Z 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Beyond liberal peacebuilding : talking and reimagining peace with women in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Liberia Abstract: Where do we begin the storytelling of International Relations and Peacebuilding? Who is rendered intelligible and who is not? Whose voices and knowledges are silenced? This feminist-decolonial research takes the reader on a journey to engage with and re-imagine peace through the experiences of women in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Liberia. The aim is to comprehend what peace signifies to these women, articulated through their lived embodied experiences and strategies for nurturing peace within their communities. This research underscores the necessity for plural knowledges and approaches to peacebuilding, challenging dominant narratives. Grounded in a feminist-decolonial framework, this study employs methodological approaches that re-centre embodied experiences and prioritise collaboration, relationality, respect, and reciprocity in understanding peace within conflict-affected societies. Fieldwork involved in-depth conversations with women in the DRC and Liberia, revealing that relationality and communality are central to their peacebuilding efforts. Ultimately, this research developed the concept of communal peacebuilding. This concept, deeply rooted in Congolese and Liberian women’s lived and embodied experiences, challenges the individualism and linearity characteristic of liberal peacebuilding practices. It encapsulates a holistic approach that includes harmony, togetherness, spirituality, mutual support, healing, stability, and collective well-being. The strategies employed by these women are intrinsically linked to their relational identities within their communities, positioning them uniquely to influence and sustain peace. By foregrounding the voices and knowledge of these women, this study critically intervenes in mainstream peacebuilding and IR discourses, which have often marginalised indigenous women’s perspectives. Additionally, it enriches the field of gender and peacebuilding by applying a feminist-decolonial lens to question the adequacy of ‘gender’ as an analytical tool for addressing issues pertinent to African women. Contextually, this research contributes to the growing scholarship on women and peacebuilding in the DRC and Liberia, introducing a feminist-decolonial approach absent in existing literature. Description: Ph.D.(Melit.)

2024-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/124022 2024-07-02T05:55:04Z 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Rethinking diplomacy : how small states can leverage new media for the conduct of diplomacy in the digital age Abstract: This research paper discusses the changing nature of diplomatic practices in the age of digital transformation, particularly for small states. It examines the influence of new media on diplomacy, including its conduct, negotiation, representation, and communication, highlighting the intertwined nature of the digital and physical spaces. The study puts forward that the shift in diplomacy in this digital era will be both incremental and transformational, calling for diplomats to develop dynamic skill sets to remain relevant and effective. The paper acknowledges the unique challenges and opportunities for small states in digital diplomacy, advocating for ongoing professional development and adaptation to technological advancements. It points out the limitations in diplomatic research, like time constraints and data availability, but emphasises the value of qualitative insights from interviews, supported by a literature review. The study contributes insights into the evolving field of digital diplomacy and its implications for small states, stressing the importance of adaptability and continuous learning in diplomatic practices. It underscores the theme of transformational growth in diplomacy amidst digital disruption, offering a forward-looking perspective on the dynamics within the diplomatic sphere, especially for small states, and underscores the significance of adaptability and reskilling in modern diplomatic practices. Description: M. CD(Melit.)

2024-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/124010 2024-06-26T11:01:18Z 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Importance of public private partnerships in the fight against cyber crime globally Abstract: The borderless nature of cybercrime demands global cooperation, and this thesis explores the crucial role of multi-stakeholder partnerships in this fight against cybercrime. By examining existing cyber partnership models, capacity building initiatives, and legal frameworks, the research delves into how these collaborations are shaping the new digital security landscape. Focusing on the evolving tactics of cybercriminals and notable global cases, the thesis highlights the benefits and challenges of collaborative approaches. It dissects mechanisms for effective partnerships, identifying the roles of various actors (governments, private sector, civil society, academia) in building a resilient cyberspace. Cyber capacity building, a cornerstone of these partnerships, is extensively analysed. The thesis examines approaches, identifies challenges, and proposes solutions for sustainable capacity building programs. Additionally, it explores the importance of legislation, policies, and international agreements in the fight against cybercrime, assessing their effectiveness in selected countries and regions. Ultimately, the thesis presents a comprehensive framework for establishing successful cyber partnerships, considering their potential pitfalls and success factors. It emphasizes the need for global cooperation and sustainable programs to secure our increasingly interconnected digital world. By recognizing that "one is only as strong as their weakest link" in cyberspace, the thesis concludes that collaborative partnerships are an essential weapon in the global fight against cybercrime. Description: M. CD(Melit.)

2024-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/124008 2024-06-26T10:59:11Z 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Assessing the digital divide and its impact on e-diplomacy in sub-Saharan Africa Abstract: The widespread adoption of digital technologies globally has brought to light a significant disparity in access and utilisation, commonly called the digital divide. This issue of unequal access to digital technologies and the internet has far-reaching implications for sub-Saharan Africa, where limited connectivity, high costs, subpar service quality, and low levels of digital literacy contribute to the region's entrapment in this divide. This digital divide goes beyond technological constraints and creates significant barriers to effective communication and collaboration with other nations and global stakeholders in digital policy. The absence of a coherent digital geopolitical approach and digital sovereignty compounds this challenge, limiting sub-Saharan African nations' ability to participate meaningfully in international discussions and decision-making processes increasingly shifting to the digital domain. Additionally, it's worth noting that there is a scarcity of scholarly work that thoroughly explores the dynamic interaction between the digital divide and sub-Saharan Africa's preparedness for e-diplomacy. This deficiency in research not only hampers a thorough grasp of the issue but also obstructs the identification of effective remedies to bolster the region's diplomatic capacity in the digital era. Description: M. CD(Melit.)

2024-01-01T00:00:00Z