Civil society strategies for influencing environmental policy

Abstract

This study under review, examined some of the strategies Maltese Civil Societies Associations embark onto to influence Environment policy on major decisions taken by the respective authorities. This was explored through the two aims of first identifying Civil Society Associations that operates in the Maltese Environmental scenario, and examining their strategies for influencing environmental policy. Second, through investigating whether civil society engagement in environmental policy-making leads to a more participative and transparent political culture by analysing possible shifts in power and changes in values. These were achieved by exploring the strategies, these associations embarked in the three case studies of ix Xaghra I-Hamra, Ramla I-Hamra and Ta'Cenc, together with exploring the relationship between these organisations and authorities and what they are doing to raise awareness for the future. Through the analysis of the results several factors came out such as that Civil Society Associations involvement is leading to more accountability, transparency, efficiency and rule of law in our planning system. Moreover, it was noted that there was a shift in the values of citizens and they are no longer as passive as they were in the recent past. Recommendation on different areas were made and including the coming two. First, that Civil Society Associations should keep in mind the concept of "TEAM' as through uniting together can achieve more and exploiting international networks. Secondly, Civil Society Associations should work together with government to educate the adults, not only through the usual formal education means, but helping them to start ''from reading the word to reading the world".