https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/2580 2026-04-04T23:11:33Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/98857 Title: The role of NGOs in policy-making towards the environment Abstract: Non-governmental organisations are the voice of this civil society and they have a vital role in policy-making. Both local and international environmental NGOs are setup by volunteers who care about the environment and believe that generations should leave an adequate world to the future ones through a sustainable development. The policy-making process has changed over time to allow stakeholders participate and contribute to better policies. There should be a balance between development and the preservation and conservation of the environment. The study is divided in three parts. The first part involves the study of how the policies are drafted and the method in which the policy-making process has changed. The second part involves the study of how international NGOs are setup and their role in policy-making. The third part will show the analysis of how local NGOs operate vis-a-vis current procedures and their role in policy-making. The study concludes that though local NGOs need more help from authorities due to the European policy procedures, they have achieved a status here in Malta which is very important. Their role is vital as these organisations are watchdogs over who neglects our environment. Description: DIP.PUBLIC ADMIN. 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/98556 Title: Performance management in the Maltese public service : a general perspective Abstract: This research examines the efficacy of the Performance Management Programme (PMP); the performance appraisal method used within the Maltese Public Service. In this study I have carried out a study on the employees working within the Ministry for the Family and Social Solidarity (MFSS). This research conducts a wide review of the literature currently available of what is performance management, performance appraisals methods and why it is useful as well its concerns and aims. Also this study stresses out the importance of continuous training due to the benefits it provides to the organisation apart from the individual himself. In the literature review there are examples of rewards that are linked with performance management that are not adopted within the Maltese Public Service During my research I have conducted a quantitative questionnaire with the employees of the MFSS to give their views and include what could motivate them to perform better and asked them to express their opinions in regards to the PMP. I also opted for an interview with the Human Resources (HR) Director of the MFSS to have a more detailed view of the PMP and an opinion from the top management. Description: DIP.PUBLIC ADMIN. 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/98552 Title: Reviewing two national standards for child day care facilities : standard 5 and standard 6, are they reflecting today's needs? Abstract: The new demands and challenges that early years practitioners face in a rapidly changing field may influence the development of the childhood and even along his/her lifetime. Some form of structural policy framework is inevitable to guide and assist them along the way to overcome the day-to-day challenges. In Malta, the publication of the National Standards for Child Care Facilities was a leap forward to ensure a better, safe and healthier environment for the children. The study has sought to focus on the application and re-evaluation of the national standards of the child day care facilities introduced in July 2006 by purposely selecting two National Standards that seem to be the founding foundations of the early years child's development. In order to conduct the study, five child day care facilities with particular geographical location or educational approach were explored to identify the level of compliance with the national standards of care in Malta. This study was carried out between December 2013 and April 2014 and provides significant insight on child day care in Malta. Basically, the design encompassed three main sources of references in order to collectively generate the triangulation methodology. First, by analysing local and foreign documentation on materials related to the child care facilities and standard policies. Secondly, five interviews carried out with every manager /co-ordinator of the centre and last by distributing questionnaires to service users whose children attend on regular basis. The findings show that most of the interviewees gave a lot of importance and substantial weight to the standard 6 which refers to the relationship between the parents. Even, the standard in itself makes continuous reference on the adoption of more participation and collaboration between/among parents/guardians. However some comments/remarks resulted from the questionnaire shows that although the carers do their best to try and build a strong relationship with the service users, it was still very indicative that in some instances this factors lacks and more efforts should be placed by the manager/co-ordinator to increase the level of participation with the parents/guardians mostly during the daily activities. Positively, it was quite visible that from the feedback received from service users clearly indicated that they have seen significant improvement on the development of their children during the time spend at the facility. Thus standing out that prequisits of compliance are eventually being reached by the facilities. In addition, along the study, it was indicative that other form of structural or unstructural educational methodologies could be introduce to enhance the skills of the children and the grey areas that have not been locally explored. It would also be interested to suggest that policy makers may participate more by getting more feedback from the service providers but also from the services users. Description: DIP.PUBLIC ADMIN. 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/98448 Title: Quality service charters : implementation without persistence? Abstract: In my research I have started by explaining what a quality service charter is, the process before launching a quality service charter, what is required by the department and how targets are set, measured and followed. Also I have discussed what was meant to be achieved by the quality service charters. Further into the literature review I have explained the introduction of the quality service charter programme within the Maltese public service. I have conducted this researcl1 to see if the quality service charters were a success or a failure and the reason why. I have chosen the Department of Social Security and the VAT Department on which to base my research. To conduct my study I have conducted interviews with a director within the VAT Department, two directors within the Social Security Department, Mr. Edward Buttigieg and Mr. Raymond Chetcuti and Mr. Anton Cesare; the assistant director for Customer Care within the Department of Social Security. My final interview was held with Ms. Joanna Genovese, Director Training and Development (CDRT) within the Office of the Prime Minister. I have conducted this interview to get an insight on how the quality service charters were launched, further information regarding the Charter Support Unit and processes involved. Before conducting my research I was of the opinion that the quality service charters were no longer in place and have been long forgotten. After conducting my research, I have learned that even though the departments should make a bigger effort at promoting the quality service charters and the targets within these charters need to be revised, they are still in effect and management within the departments still use these charters as a yard stick. Description: DIP.PUBLIC ADMIN. 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z