https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/37999 2026-06-15T03:50:10Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/39490 Title: The sustainable development goals and the EU development and cooperation policy : the case of the empowerment of women in Afghanistan Abstract: The Development and Cooperation Policy of the European Union is a key area of its external relations, and billions of Euros are channelled to developing countries yearly. In this aspect, the European Commission plays a crucial role, managing and implementing the policy on behalf of the EU. Nonetheless, the literature assessing the policy effectiveness of the EU in this field is scant, and the role of the Commission is often undervalued. Parallel to this, the literature proves conclusively that, for a development policy to be effective, it needs to holistically integrate the key issues of gender equality and female empowerment, also captured by the 5th Sustainable Development Goal (SDG). This dissertation aims to both contribute to this literature gap, as well as to evaluate the EU’s commitment to the 5th SDG, using Afghanistan as a case study. This is done by taking the available aid programming documents within the current financial period as the primary sources for analysis. A mixed-method approach, using content analysis, qualitative analysis and descriptive statistics, is adopted to answer the original research question, ‘To what extent does the EU development policy in Afghanistan conform to the fifth Sustainable Development Goal and its Target Indicators?’. Overall, the results provide a positive assessment of the EU’s commitment to gender in its development policy in Afghanistan, and showing a consistent improvement when compared with older studies. Nonetheless, there is substantial room for improvement, as the attention given to female empowerment is somewhat conservative, and not equally balanced across all the 5th SDG targets. Description: B.EUR.STUD.(HONS) 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/39488 Title: The impact of the LEADER initiative on traditional non-governmental organisations in Malta Abstract: Malta hosts a considerable number of diverse NGOs, of which many are traditional and have a complex link with culture. The LEADER initiative, which denotes ‘Community-Led Local Development,’ is a system of EU funding which allows for an approach that differs from other funding methods through the creation of a new system. During the budgetary period 2007-2013 (2015), many traditional NGOs have succeeded in gaining additional funding for different projects and this research assesses its impact on these organisations. It determines if there is a relationship between LEADER and participation in such organisations, the terms which make up a successful application and the role of traditional NGOS in preserving cultural customs. Being the first research of its kind, this exploration includes two interviews to bolster its analysis. The first was carried out with traditional NGOs which benefitted from this initiative and aims to take note of the NGOs point of view which is not found on any published material. The second interview was conducted with the Head of Funding at MEUSAC and helps this research to include information on the application process and the preconditions that are a must for these NGOs to apply successfully. These interviews are also supplemented by academic publications, reports and books published by the Government, the EU and NGOs. The LEADER Initiative, in its innovative configuration has succeeded in leaving a positive effect on these organisations which could be improved further in the next budgetary period. Furthermore, the analysis of the replies received during the interviews illustrated that it would be more beneficial to prioritise projects that would benefit fewer people more directly. Whilst there are no set terms that could be identified which would secure a successful application, two criteria emerge which are very important. This study ends with the analysis of the traditional NGOs’ role in preserving cultural traditions and the contribution this funding gives to this aim. Description: B.EUR.STUD.(HONS) 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/39487 Title: The effectiveness of European Union strategies against the proliferation of nuclear weapons Abstract: The European Union has particular interest to tackle nuclear weapon proliferation due to it being geographically surrounded by Nuclear Weapon States, as well as having some of its own states possessing nuclear weapons. The Union has devised a multilateral approach in its foreign policy and thus on non-proliferation policies. It has stressed over the point of cooperation with other international organisations, such as the United Nations, as well as using their instruments to tackle nuclear proliferation. But are the European Union strategies effectives against the proliferation of nuclear weapons? The research question is analysed both qualitatively - by looking at strategies such as the European Security Strategy, the European Union Strategy against the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, the European Union Global Strategy, the set-up of European Union Non-Proliferation Consortium, the Union’s role in the Non-Proliferation Treaty and the Union’s Dual-Use Export Control Policy - and through the case Study of the Iran Nuclear Deal and the Union's role in its negotiations. To measure the effectiveness of these strategies, three criteria are taken into consideration - being engaged in a dialogue to promote its objectives in tackling proliferation of nuclear weapons; having self-sufficient structures to act on non-proliferation; and having verification mechanisms to ensure compliance with its non-proliferation regime. After the necessary analysis is done, the EU was ranked to have been moderately successful in its fight against the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Three hypotheses are also confirmed: 1) The European Union does have the necessary structures for dialogue, but little intention for independent action. 2) The European Union works well on pre-agreed agendas, usually set out by the international non-proliferation regime. 3) The European Union remains rather vague when it comes to tackling noncompliance of its policies and is usually dependent on other international organisations (such as the United Nations). Nevertheless, keeping in mind the multilateral approach of the EU in its foreign policy, the EU has done fairly well in contributing on non-proliferation. Another factor that should be considered is the fact that the original design of the European Community was based on economic relationships rather than security. The EU has since then expanded its jurisdiction and became a more important actor on the world stage. However, if the EU wishes for a more prominent role on the issue of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, it may wish to opt for a more self-sufficient approach – as adopted in the Iran negotiations. Description: B.EUR.STUD.(HONS) 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/39399 Title: The EU global strategy and the Mediterranean Abstract: The European Union was an idea inspired after years of conflict on European soil. When the founding fathers established the European Coal and Steel Community back in 1950, they did not envisage the intricacies which would be faced by the member states in the nearly 70 years since its inception. However, over this long period of time the European Union has kept to heart the values which it started off with, having peace and prosperity between European nations. Nonetheless, the European Union has not come to where it is currently without turmoil and conflict. Currently, encompassing 28 member states and only recently recovering from an economic crisis which shock the Union to its core, the EU along with its member states is dealing with age old conflicts whilst facing arising new threats and has to look within itself to create a strategy with which the European is stronger than ever before and ready to tackle new age problems. With this in mind, the European Global Strategy is written with the aim of addressing the current problems within the European Union itself as well as breaching the unparalleled potential the EU has if its member states and Institutions all work in harmony towards a common agenda. Europe has been the playground of the worst conflicts in the past century. From two world wars which were almost entirely fought on European soil to Europe being the middle ground during the exhaustive Cold War. Moreover, in recent years its neighbouring areas have been host to a number of conflicts, including the Arab Spring and the Israeli – Palestinian conflict. Therefore, one can summarise the European region to be one full of ideas and cultures but plagued by uncertainty and challenges. The aim of this study is the view the impact The European Global Strategy will have in addressing the existing conflicts whilst also presenting a new vision for the European Union and in particular how it aims to deal with the unrest in the Mediterranean region. It is also important to consider new threats which are directly influencing the working of the European Union such as; terrorism, organised crimes and state failures. The forces at play in the Mediterranean Region are different than most. Different religions and cultures make it very difficult for countries to get along. It is here that the European Global Strategy differs from its predecessors. All the different countries within this region have different agendas, and the European Global Strategy aims at addressing the agendas of the different countries through regional cooperation. The fact that the European Union cannot enforce certain regulation on countries not within its sphere of influence makes this task slightly harder. Nonetheless, this study will show that whilst the ideas of economic prosperity, defence cooperation, peace and stability are viewed as important aims valued by all countries, implementation of such strategies is often easier said than done. It is therefore, the capability of the European Global Strategy to implement these goals which will grant it as successful where strategies before it have not met expectations. Description: B.EUR.STUD.(HONS) 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z