https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/64271 2026-04-12T10:10:17Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/89777 Title: Applying the vulnerability and resilience framework to brain drain in the European Union : the case of Cyprus and Malta Abstract: Small states tend to suffer from inherent vulnerabilities that expose them to external shocks, due to their high degree of openness even more if they are islands. One such vulnerability is brain drain which could have harmful effects on an economy if left uncontrolled because human capital is an important factor for achieving economic growth. However, many small states, despite their size, have managed to achieve economic growth nonetheless. The vulnerability and resilience framework could be a useful tool for identifying the strengths and weaknesses of a small state for obtaining growth. Therefore, it is noteworthy to see what the small island states of Europe, Malta and Cyprus, are doing to overcome the brain drain vulnerability and what is the role of the European Union in all of this. The answer to these questions could be identified through a qualitative approach encompassing peer reviewed literature to see what researchers have to say on the topics of brain drain and the vulnerability and resilience framework. This was in addition to identifying actual policies implemented that could tackle the issue from online searches and the national budgets of Malta and Cyprus, on a European Union and national level. Statistics for these small island states and the rest of the European Union were also incorporated to have a clearer picture if brain drain is truly an issue within the European Union, Malta and Cyprus, and also whether people have been becoming more skilled than they used to be. Some of the sub-themes that are related to brain drain and frequently came up during the research, especially for the policies that have been implemented were ‘education’, ‘training’, ‘private sector development’ and ‘labour’. In the case of labour the European Union is looking at attracting highly skilled third-country nationals that could stabilise the old-age dependency ratio and the free movement of labour. Even Malta and Cyprus look beyond their borders to attract skilled labour to their territories. In fact the EU and the two small island states currently have a positive net migration pattern. However, if such a strategy is successful it could spark a brain drain phenomenon on third-countries. The policies that could significantly stop brain drain should promote good governance, strengthening institutions, competitive wages, private sector development and public sector reform. Hence, tax incentives have been used, female and youth employment has been encouraged, grants for research and innovation, investing in niche areas that are more service based and thus do not require a lot of input of natural resources, such as tourism and financial services and also investing in education and training is crucial to combat brain drain. Description: M.A.EUROPEAN STUD. 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/72057 Title: Nationalism and the left parties in Europe Abstract: This study aims to understand the upsurge in nationalism in EU member states with a socialist government in power by applying a case study for two countries. The two EU member states chosen for this particular study are Portugal and Sweden, with both countries filling the criteria of having a left party in power, using nationalism to their advantage, and dealing with the irregular migration crisis, especially the Syrian one. The first question that this study aims to answer is: How have the left parties been using nationalism to their own advantage? To answer this question, an extensive number of articles relevant to the subject were chosen, assessed, and later critiqued in the following chapters. The literature review helps the reader in understanding the relationship between nationalism and the left parties within Europe. Here, the reader is given the basic understanding of what the concept of nationalism entails, moving on to a deeper understanding of how certain countries within the EU have been benefitting or otherwise, from nationalism. Moreover, this study also aims at bringing forth the notion that although nationalism is usually attributed to the far right, recent countries with a left socialist party in government, such as Portugal and Sweden have seen an increase in nationalism among their citizens. The second question this study aims to answer is: What is the approach of the left parties in Portugal and Sweden towards the irregular migration issue? Through a document-based research, the research investigates how Portugal and Sweden have been handling the irregular migration crisis to their advantage, to obtain a victory in their respective national elections. Through a deep analysis, these two countries shall be evaluated thoroughly. It is understood that Portugal has had a demographic deficit, caused by migration and an elderly population, and thus, is aggressively searching for a higher number of migrants. Sweden, on the other hand, had a somewhat similar view of reducing the influx of migrants in the country. As such, thousands of migrants were turned away, and expelled back via airlines to their country of origin. Both socialist parties in the two countries show a different approach as to how they handle nationalism, through their ways of handling irregular migration. Description: M.A.EUROP.POLITICS ECON.&LAW 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/72041 Title: Sustainable tourism development in the EU Mediterranean region : a focus on coastal tourism in Malta Abstract: The objective of this dissertation is to assess the role of the European Union in ensuring that sustainable coastal tourism is achieved in the Mediterranean region. The focus of this dissertation is on Malta in the context of EU policy. Several climate change related impacts on coastal tourism and the impact which the tourism industry has on coastal areas are assessed. The key research questions being investigated are: what role is the European Union playing in safeguarding sustainable coastal tourism development and boosting blue growth in the Mediterranean? The answer to this questions helps us to identify what climate actions are being implemented to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change in the Maltese tourism industry, and the impact of EU Eco-label in promoting eco-friendly practices in the tourism accommodation sector in Malta, which is a major contributor to the carbon footprint of the tourist industry. This research adopts a qualitative analysis approach, where a series of semi-structured interviews with local stakeholders were conducted. The data collected from the semi-structured interviews, coupled with an analysis of the EU funded projects concerning sustainable coastal tourism development and the relevant scholarly literature helped in the elaboration of the results. The main research findings indicate that the EU is on the right track in rethinking the tourism industry to achieve sustainable tourism development in the Mediterranean basin. Further findings also the indicate the potential blue energy has in contributing to Malta reaching its international target on renewable energy, and that further efforts needs to be conducted in the accommodation sector in order to contribute to Malta’s primary objective to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. Description: M.A.EUROP.POLITICS ECON.&LAW 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/72037 Title: The contract of employment : a European and Maltese perspective Abstract: The labour market is constantly changing in the European Union. In Malta, it is no different. Our main focus in this dissertation is to argue how Directive 91/533/EEC and Directive 2019/1152 affected the contract of employment and the working conditions in general in Malta. We are also going to give important information relating to the present Maltese contract and how it evolved throughout the years, involving as well other aspects that could ultimately differ the written statement. Such aspects can include the wage regulation orders, the International Labour Organisation and the Rome Conventions. We will then be able to discuss such changes in Maltese employment law, and how this helped better the working conditions in Malta. Our findings suggest that the majority of additions or changes made by the old Directive have already been adjusted to fit the Maltese contract, however, not all the new additions made by the new Directive have yet been implemented. Ultimately, the research suggests, that Maltese workers are enjoying better working conditions because of the many aspects taken into consideration by the European Union. Description: M.A.EUROP.POLITICS ECON.&LAW 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z