https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/100729 Thu, 11 Jun 2026 06:40:14 GMT 2026-06-11T06:40:14Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/146165 Title: The need for a youth centre in Xgħajra : young people’s views and expectations Abstract: A youth centre caters to young people's wants and needs. It offers a safe space where young people can be empowered to become active citizens and where young people are recognised as a social force capable of generating change. Youth workers support and facilitate the young people’s participation in non-formal activities and actively involve them in activities. This study identifies the wants and needs of the young people in Xgħajra and their response to the setting up of a youth centre in this small and developing community. It strives to get a better understanding of the young people’s expectations and analyse how this youth centre will cater for their wants and needs. The collection of data was organised through semi-structured interviews conducted with eight young people who had received their Holy Confirmation the previous year in Xgħajra. The age bracket set out for this study was between 13 and 15. The responses were categorised according to the questions set in the interview and sectioned into three themes: the infrastructural design and resources, its leadership and its policies and programme of activities. The general overview of the youth centre was taken into consideration at the beginning of each interview and was also analysed. The results emerging from this study show that the village of Xgħajra needs a youth centre to cater for the holistic needs of its young people. The study further illustrates that young people can lead the youth centre with the presence of a youth worker who guides them and supports them. Apart from the need for a youth centre, in Xgħajra there is also a huge need for sports and recreational (green) areas. A transdisciplinary approach and collaboration with entities such as the local council will benefit both the young people and the community of Xgħajra. Description: B.A. (Hons) YCS (Melit.) Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/146165 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/146164 Title: A systematic review of prevention strategies for radicalisation and violent extremism in youths Abstract: Radicalisation and violent extremism in youths are becoming critical issues worldwide, however, most research focuses on the risk factors whilst research on the protective factors are rare (Losel et. al, 2018). The aim of this systematic review is to analyse a number of preventive programmes that target radicalisation and violent extremism in youths, in order to sift what seems to be effective and doable in the field of prevention. The first section discusses the link between radicalisation and youths, and what motivates youths to become violent in order to promote their radical beliefs. This is followed by a justification and an explanation of why a systematic review of present programmes, developed since 2015, is taken up in this research. The methodology and findings are presented, highlighting what seem to be the common propositions, and difficulties of such programmes. In the final part, recommendations are made for future prevent programmes, particularly for those designed for the Maltese context. Description: B.A. (Hons) YCS (Melit.) Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/146164 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/146163 Title: The experience of young people in the Maltese fashion industry Abstract: This study looked was aimed to look into the experiences of young people working in the Maltese fashion industry. This study was centred around seven main research questions which were: What role does fashion play for Maltese youth interested in fashion? What importance does fashion have on young people’s lives who are involved in the fashion scene in Malta? What are the most prevalent fashion styles in Malta? What are the different milestones of the career trajectory in the fashion sector (onset of involvement, maintenance, and escalation)? What are the pressures on the systems that involve the fashion sector? What are the different and prevalent fashion styles in Malta at play? Does the fashion scene in Malta have subcultural elements? Secondary research was done, and fashion was defined as artistic, expressive, political and economic (Venkatasamy, 2015). Primary data was collected via six semi-structured interviews with young people who work in the fashion industry. The various limitations and opportunities of the Maltese fashion industry were discussed. It was uncovered that the main opportunities in Malta are entrepreneurship, Malta Fashion Week, and education. People also look for more opportunities abroad as there is a more accepting mentality than in Malta and more opportunities. Maltese people in the modelling and fashion industry show biases towards people with certain body images. The main fashion styles mentioned were the “ħamalli” style, and casual and athleisure style. The effects of the covid-19 pandemic on fashion styles were discussed. The main milestones of working in the fashion industry were recognition, taking part in Malta Fashion Week, education, networking and their career. The main influencers that affect people regarding fashion are social media, family and magazines. Description: B.A. (Hons) YCS (Melit.) Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/146163 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/137301 Title: Perceptions and lived experiences at the Salesian Oratory in Senglea : a study of 14- to 16-year-olds Abstract: Youth Centres play an important role in the community as they provide young people with a space where they meet their friends, pass the time in a safe environment, and learn. The Positive Youth Development (PYD) perspective believes that youngsters need this ecological resource where they meet nurturing adults and peers; pursue and nourish sparks; develop healthily; and thrive. The Salesians of Don Bosco are known for their work with the young, and their Youth Ministry is built on the holistic development of youngsters. Hence, this study looks at these frameworks and aims to understand how the perceptions and lived experiences of young people influence their participation in the Salesian Oratory in Senglea. A qualitative approach was employed, whereby participants were invited to share their experience of the phenomenon. The sample consisted of six 14- to 16-year-olds who had been attending the Oratory regularly for at least one year in the current or previous years. Data was collected through one-to-one, semi-structured interviews and analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). The main findings continue to indicate that young people need a place where they belong, where they can exert their control, and where their voice is heard. Youngsters also appreciate leaders that use and respond to humour, are friendly, get to know them, are able to connect with them, and have an open or youthful mindset. Young people might not necessarily understand the full reasons behind educational activities, but they still absorb values, skills and knowledge imparted. If young people are guided and assigned tasks according to their strengths, they learn to start taking an active role, become aware of their potential, begin to take initiative, and contribute. These emergent factors have implications for youth work, and through this study, youth workers or leaders might gain further insight on what is considered important by young people and ways on how to make them participative. A main limitation of this study is that it was held during a pandemic which affected and changed the dynamics at the Oratory. Recommendations that were made following this study are that Salesian leaders are given training in Positive Youth Development (PYD) since it goes hand in hand with the perspective undertaken by the Salesian Youth Ministry; youth work based in a religious organisation is given more prominence during the course; and that the Maltese educational system focuses more on the features of PYD to optimise young people’s development. Description: M. YCS.(Melit.) Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/137301 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z