https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/104238 Thu, 16 Apr 2026 11:41:13 GMT 2026-04-16T11:41:13Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/105261 Title: Coordinating policy advice and intelligence in small states Abstract: Ministries for Foreign Affairs (MFAs) are no longer the proverbial gatekeepers to States' corridors of power. MFAs also compete with other entities, both public and private, in supplying political analysis to government. In turn, the media and modern communication technologies usurp influence from MFAs and intelligence agencies whilst hastening high level decisions by instilling preconceived ideas. Furthermore, the surplus of information creates new demands in how to effectively separate the wheat from chaff and the signal from noise. States need reliable diplomatic and intelligence reporting in an era where real time information is at most times difficult to immediately verify or else is too generic for decision makers to rely upon. Small states’ resources are often limited, thus the dilemma lies on how to make best usage of non-governmental actors, while at the same time maintaining in-house capabilities to minimise the risks from disinformation and deception operations. Trust, reliability and timeliness are vital to mitigate and manage potential risks posed to the State. With the right organisational setup, small states can task, coordinate and channel diplomatic and intelligence reporting in efficient and effective ways in order to provide timely reporting intended to empower policymakers and decision makers to take better informed decisions. Description: M. CD(Melit.) Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/105261 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/104316 Title: Cooperation and conflict in international water interactions : an indicator framework for the promotion of peace Abstract: Water is vital for life and one of the most vulnerable resources for the future. Humanity has managed its water resources since its beginnings, and since then, cooperation has thrived among riparian states. However, contemporary diplomacy faces new challenges due to climate change and political rivalry. One of those is to reinforce international water management to maintain peace. The dissertation highlights the relevance of international water management in different regions and analyses whether water is a driver of political understanding of tension. Also, it provides guidelines for identifying factors that promote cooperation and others that generate conflict over international water by an indicator framework to assess international water interactions and evaluate the likelihood of cooperation or conflict. In addition, by identifying the critical elements in an international water interaction, the dissertation presents the benefits of hydro diplomacy to diplomats and policy makers as a relevant tool for reaching agreements and transforming conflictive situations into new opportunities for cooperation on international waters. Description: M. CD(Melit.) Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/104316 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/104313 Title: New wine, old wineskins : analysis of the challenges facing Kenyan media content regulators in the internet era Abstract: This dissertation interrogates the preparedness of Kenya’s media content regulators to set, monitor, and ensure compliance with standards and ethics over the internet. When traditional media platforms use the internet for circulation and distribution, there is a dilemma on how to regulate them. Regulatory entities are torn between deploying traditional media regulation or internet governance principles and technologies for regulation and oversight. It is a case study that argues that the evolution of the internet has challenged the traditional content regulation approaches in Kenya by the Media council of Kenya (MCK) and its sister Agencies-the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) and the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB). It also looks and the preparedness of the diplomatic community when called upon to mediate and facilitate cross border enforcement and linkages. While interrogating the knowledge and application of the principles of online content regulation, the author argues that the regulators will soon be unable to effectively discharge their regulatory mandate unless they change their approach and equip themselves with the new skills and equipment required to operate in the new internet-based distribution channels. In addition, modern diplomacy must be tooled to play their part in the new emerging field. Description: M. CD(Melit.) Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/104313 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/104295 Title: Achieving SDG 3.4 : a policy analysis of three SADC countries Abstract: The objective of this comparative study was to describe and compare the mental health policies of the three Southern African countries (South Africa, Namibia, and Zambia) that share a common membership in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and to understand how the formulation of the action plans may assist the three countries to achieve SDG Target 3.4. especially since past studies had mainly focussed on mental health policy implementation. The research methodology was a qualitative approach that analysed primary data, namely the content of mental health policies, using a qualitative document analysis (QDA). In this study, the lens of the policy diffusion theory suggests that 'learning' and 'cohesion' mechanisms may have influenced the formulation of policies and that the mental health policies of the three SADC countries, despite having nuanced differences, adhered to the SADC protocol on health, which supports community care services. This study further emphasises the importance of the SADC secretariat playing an active role in ensuring that all of its member states, regardless of economic status, implement UHC and achieve SDG target 3.4. Overall, this study demonstrates that achieving UHC could reduce suicide rates, as non-communicable diseases remain high in countries that have not implemented UHC. Description: M. CD(Melit.) Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/104295 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z