https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/52466 2026-04-24T08:23:34Z 2026-04-24T08:23:34Z Micallef, Robert https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/52593 2020-03-22T06:10:44Z 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Poverty in the European Union : public opinion perceptions Authors: Micallef, Robert Abstract: At the turn of the millennium, EU Heads of State and Governments pledged to ‘make a decisive impact on the eradication of poverty’ by 2010. Despite that promise, a significant number of Europeans still live in poverty and have limited access to basic social services. Poverty and social exclusion have a negative impact on the ability of individuals to participate in society which, in turn, obstructs economic development. According to the European Commission, around 80 million EU citizens, or 16% of the population, live below the poverty line which is less than 60% of their country’s average household income. This results in many facing serious obstacles in accessing employment, education, housing, social and financial services. According to the same data, 19% of children in the EU are also currently in or at risk of poverty. The 2010 European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion stressed the importance of collective responsibility in combating poverty, involving decision makers and actors in the public and private sectors. It covered four broad objectives and guiding principles: a recognition of the right of those living in poverty and suffering social exclusion to live in dignity, and play an active part in society; a shared responsibility for and participation in the fight against poverty, with an emphasis on both collective and individual action; the promotion of cohesion, highlighting the advantages of the eradication of poverty, and greater social inclusion, for all members of society; political commitment at all levels of governance and concrete action to eradicate poverty and social exclusion, as well as a commitment to these goals within societies. A Eurobarometer survey carried out in September of 2009 and published in 2010 to mark the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion, addresses the many facets of poverty and social exclusion. The survey examined, among other things, people’s awareness of the extent of poverty within the European Union, the perceived personal and societal reasons behind poverty, who is thought to be most at risk, if people feel somehow threatened by the possible prospect of poverty, how poverty may prevent people from taking full advantage of society, as well as how easy or difficult they perceive access to financial services to be. People’s perception about the urgency of governmental action to combat poverty is also examined, together with the level of administration felt to be mostly responsible for it. The survey highlighted that the majority of Europeans believed poverty was a widespread problem that affects the majority of people in the continent to some degree. In the past five years, Europe has experienced a period of economic upheaval as a result of the global financial crisis putting pressure on Europeans and their governments to revive national economies. At the same time, Ministers of all Member States agreed an EU target that at least 20 million people should be lifted out of poverty by 2020, with a review of the target at 2015. This proposal was accepted by the European Council on 17 June 2010. Description: Includes Profile of Contributors

2012-01-01T00:00:00Z Brown, Maria https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/52591 2020-03-22T06:10:51Z 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: A policy on community involvement in state primary schools in Malta : a preliminary insight into the perceptions of college principals Authors: Brown, Maria Abstract: This paper presents findings of a study on perceptions of state college principals in Malta vis-à-vis the formulation of a state policy on community involvement in state primary schools. The study has two main aims: 1. a sociological understanding of community involvement in state colleges practised at the time of the study, particularly in the primary school setting, and 2. an insight into state colleges’ principals’ perceptions on the possibility of a national policy on community involvement in state primary schools.

2012-01-01T00:00:00Z Thake, Anne Marie https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/52590 2021-05-21T04:46:04Z 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Cultivating human resources potential in Malta : a challenge for the social partners Authors: Thake, Anne Marie Abstract: A key challenge for Malta’s future is how to equip both individuals and employers with the necessary tools to successfully compete in a changing economy. The cornerstones of this new economy are knowledge and skills. These are key factors of competitiveness today, which can only be achieved by all stakeholders. Employers increasingly demand a labour force that has high levels of vocational and competency skills, and government has the responsibility to ensure that adequate standards prevail in the educational and training systems. The state is responsible overall for shaping and developing the structure, organisation and content of the country’s educational and vocational training systems. It has a crucial role in bringing about a learning society. Society has a legitimate expectation that employers will also invest adequately in the skills of their workforce, and individuals must also take responsibility for skill development that contribute to their employability.

2012-01-01T00:00:00Z Vassallo, Mario Thomas https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/52589 2020-03-22T06:09:44Z 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Interest representation in Malta : identifying features of Europeanisation Authors: Vassallo, Mario Thomas Abstract: This paper explores how the ingrained characteristics originating from small-sized and remote member states affect the incorporation of, or resistance to, the external incentives and norms of EU governance into domestic polity structures. Research primacy rests on the role and character of interest groups involved in national policy-making and their interplay with governmental actors, as well as their participation in EU governance. The author supports Ulika Mórth (2003) in defining the unfolding term of Europeanisation as a process of institutionalisation in which new rules and new ways of thinking evolve, not only at the supranational level but, most importantly, at the domestic level as well. Considering the various generations of studies that have been undertaken to set the parameters and dynamics of Europeanisation, this is a rather simplistic definition which, however, is deemed useful for the scope of this paper. The study is marshalled from the perspective and empirical experience of the smallest member state, the Mediterranean island of the Republic of Malta. During its first years since EU accession in 2004, Malta is still experimenting with its European vocation without forgetting its Mediterranean roots. The two major variants of new institutionalism, namely rational choice institutionalism (RCI) and sociological institutionalism (SI) lie at the core of the applied scientific method to analyse the tension between imported change and the preservation of inherited features related to polity and politics.

2012-01-01T00:00:00Z