https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/86554 Sun, 19 Apr 2026 03:32:58 GMT 2026-04-19T03:32:58Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/102286 Title: The Europeanisation of Maltese foreign policy and the issue of irregular migration Abstract: For the last twenty years, Malta’s Foreign Policy has been dominated by of irregular migration. Since joining the European Union in 2004, Malta has lobbied on the issue at European level, and placed it at the peak of its national agenda. Malta also negotiated with neighbouring countries like Libya and Italy, both also affected by irregular migration. This research will first analyse how Malta’s membership in the European Union has affected its Foreign Policy, beginning at the nation’s independence until the present. We will then look into how relations between Malta, Libya and Italy have evolved. Another aim of this research is to define how Malta is affected by irregular migration, and actions taken by the Government over the past twenty years. This will be done through a case study showing the situation of migrants in Malta. Description: M.A.(Melit.) Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/102286 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/102284 Title: The European Commission’s policy on the rate of early school leavers in the EU Abstract: “ESL” is used to refer to stopping an ongoing course in general or occupational education and training. Individual and social issues go hand in hand with early school departure. These issues contribute to the phenomenon of extremely early student drop-out among young people: challenges associated with learning, or a lack of desire, as well as counselling and orientation. Early school departure can take many forms, according to the EU criteria. This comprises youths who have withdrawn from school before the conclusion of obligatory education, as well as those who finished compulsory schooling but didn't earn an upper secondary education equivalent credential. A poor level of education not only affects youth, but it also means an ineffective use of financial resources. The present demographic shifts and the older population of European nation-states prevent these countries from losing their talented young people. Socioeconomic development and economic progress are hampered due to having high rates of early school leavers. Decreasing the early school leaver rate on a European scale would provide a big labour resource for the European Union economy. In terms of policy, the European Commission, in an effort to collect and compile data about education policies and practices that have been implemented in Europe since 2011, has assessed the efficacy of these policies and practices in 37 European countries. This dissertation outlines, EU policy tools which appear to have a substantial influence on the economies of the nations that are being referred to. The early school leaving rate in Europe fell from 13.4% in 2011 to 10.2% in 2019. Although significant disparities remain among nations and school-leaver demographics, the most prevalent groupings are composed of persons of migrant background, young males, and residents of rural regions. Therefore, the Commission has looked at having more comprehensive action that is necessary to confront this dynamic and pervasive pattern. A number of good practices being undertaken by Member States were selected for the research whilst outlining their impact as a whole. Description: M.A.(Melit.) Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/102284 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/102279 Title: The Syrian refugee crisis and consequences of EU financial aid to Turkey Abstract: The EU-Turkey relationship is one of the most interesting and complex relationships the EU has with a non-EU member. The differences in religion, culture and overall lifestyle creates a fascinating dynamic. However, it has been prone to several tense moments in its history. Yet, it was due to this unique relationship that led to the topic of this dissertation. Within this dissertation the effects of the Syrian refugee crisis of 2015 on the overall bilateral relations between Turkey and the EU will be analyzed. Special focus will be given to the financial aspect which has become such a high-profile issue area in the last couple of years. These changes and developments in bilateral relations were undertaken by means of several case studies that span the years from 2010 up to the current date. From the analysis of these studies, it became clear that the major effect of the Syrian refugee crisis on these bilateral relations is that for the dependency on its economic soft power might lead the EU into critical condition in the future. This work shows that the socio-political crisis that the refugee flows caused in Europe have led the negotiations between Turkey and the EU to be in favor of the former; which has never happened before. The lack of military organization and a shared asylum policy will lead the EU to become increasingly internally divided and an easier target to other foreign powers if no unified EU action is taken in the near future. Description: M.A.(Melit.) Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/102279 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/91013 Title: The contribution of the EU structural and cohesion funds to the sporting sector : evidence from Malta Abstract: The topic of sport in the European Union (EU) warrants research since this sector is vital to the well-being of all the EU member states vis-à-vis its contribution to health, the economy and social and cultural inclusion, these being primary areas the EU seeks to achieve results in. One way in which the EU offers assistance to this sector is through EU funds. Hence, this dissertation focuses on the contribution of EU funds, with a special focus on the European Regional and Development Fund (ERDF), to provide support to the sporting sector to help it improve. Two research questions were set with a view to explore the concepts of and relations between ‘EU Funds' and 'Sport.' An in-depth analysis of how the EU has helped the sporting sector through the ERDF fund in the programming period 2014 to 2020 is presented. A case study on Malta was subsequently chosen since Malta has one of the lowest rates of people doing physical activity or practicing a sport amongst EU member states. The discussion and data collection tools were made using a mixed-method approach. This data identified the main sporting projects proposed and approved by the ERDF fund to allocate funds and co-finance these projects around the EU member states, including Malta. The findings show that money is allocated to different areas of the sporting sector to improve the economy, health, and gives inclusion in a member state’s society. After these findings and the research questions were answered and discussed, suggestions and recommendations were given on how sport should be improved, with a special mention to Malta. Description: B.A. (Hons) Eur. St.(Melit.) Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/91013 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z