https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/4671 Sat, 04 Apr 2026 05:05:10 GMT 2026-04-04T05:05:10Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/143817 Title: 200 sena mill-Gvern lokali Ħal Balzan Abstract: L-artiklu jagħti ħarsa lejn l-istorja tat-tmexxija interna f’Ħal Balzan matul is-seklu dsatax, mill-perjodu Franċiż sal-ħakma Ingliża. Camilleri jiddeskrivi kif ir-raħal evolva permezz ta’ sistemi differenti bħall-Kungress Malti, id-distretti ta’ Maitland, u s-sottokumitati ta’ Sir William Reid. Din il-kronaka tispjega l-bidliet fil-karigi amministrattivi u l-effett tagħhom fuq il-lokalità sakemm il-poter reġa' ġie ċentralizzat mill-kolonjalisti. Sun, 11 Jun 2000 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/143817 2000-06-11T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/142559 Title: Malta’s migration governance and the task of managing external borders in the European Union context Authors: Omilusi, Mike Abstract: In the last two decades, Malta has often maintained its humanitarian commitment to managing border and asylum procedures in the context of international conventions. This is particularly emphasized in relation to rescuing migrants and generally enhancing safety and security of border crossings. Though the smallest EU member state has initiated policies aimed at reducing illegal and unsafe crossings to its shores, the country still hosts the highest number of refugees per capita in the EU with 25.3 per cent of its population being foreign nationals. This paper examines the measures put in place by the Maltese authorities to manage the enormous inflow of migrants on its shores in tandem with the four pillars of European Agenda on Migration. It also interrogates the institutional means and structural capacity of Malta to ensure the efficient implementation of the European Border Surveillance system (EUROSUR) on the one hand or provide rights-based approach to migration and asylum on the other hand. Lastly, it identifies Malta’s collaborative efforts with other countries in the last twenty years and peculiar challenges faced by the more exposed countries (i.e. Malta, Spain, Italy and Greece) in the course of countering irregular border crossings. Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/142559 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/142554 Title: Living with ‘uninvited guests’ of necessity? The dilemma of African migrants sandwiched between public attitudes and economic realities in Malta Authors: Omilusi, Mike Abstract: This current study establishes how host-state economic realities (economic boom and labour shortages) and refugee security interact with the broader dynamics of irregular migration. It explores the circumstances in which migrant communities experience stereotypes, public attitudes, and racial discrimination in the context of contemporary Maltese immigration. Drawing on focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, informal conversations, sample survey and extant migration literature, the study interrogates the resilience of African refugees and asylum seekers and the political will of the Maltese authorities to protect them. It offers policy recommendations to foster social cohesion, human dignity, and equal concern which are necessary for achieving effective migrant integration. Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/142554 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/142553 Title: Irregular migration as an inevitable way of life? participant-observation from Europe Authors: Omilusi, Mike Abstract: In the last decades, unabated cross-Mediterranean refugee flows from Africa have geometrically expanded, despite the closure of borders and the introduction of new regulations. The number of Africans waiting in Libyan slave camps, with determination to cross the Mediterranean Sea, understandably demonstrates the depressing reality in their home countries. The state of affairs in homeland countries that compels people to expose themselves to precarious migration journeys deserves academic interrogation. This article briefly explores the contextual conditions that inspire this form of migration, mainly from Africa to Europe and draws on sociological literature about irregular migration. This article also includes accounts from formal and informal interactions with African migrants. It concludes that scrambling for greener pastures in Europe could be drastically reduced if anti-poverty policies are established in Africa. Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/142553 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z