The implications of the EU youth strategy specifically the 'youth-investing and empowering', on the Maltese youth policy

Abstract

This research's primary aim is to produce a step-by-step compilation of the historical background of European and Maltese youth policies as well as the calculation of the intensity of such practices in each of the entities. This dissertation falls under the category of a comparative study. To this end, the first chapter deals with the historical background of the European Union Youth Strategy'. It highlights the several stages by giving an overview of the development of this strategy from its inception to its current form. In addition, this chapter examines several other elements that are necessary for the making of this dissertation, such as the institutions, which were influential to the subject. The second chapter deals with the European Union Youth Strategy. The aim here is to investigate the elements of this strategy. This chapter gives us an insight of what are the main aims of the policy, the areas that it covers and the methodology employed. The third chapter deals with the National Youth Policy in Malta. Primarily this chapter gives us a description of what has been attempted throughout the years. The attention then shifts to the policy covering the years from 2010-2013. In turn, the fourth chapter gives us an explanation of the methods employed to conduct this dissertation. The fifth chapter, which is the final one, compares the two policies to evaluate the degree of influence that the European Union Strategy had on the Maltese Youth Policy. In spite of the presence of differences in both entities, the degree of influence is quite high and the principles adopted in Malta more or less cover those highlighted by the European Union. In addition, the secondary aim of this research is answered by trying to determine what Malta learnt from the European Union and what areas were the most influenced. Moreover, it explores the benefits that these influences brought to the youth policy in Malta and what should be done to continue progressing. The findings were not as surprising as Malta from the beginning, always tried to keep up with European Standards, result in a great percentage of overlap between policies.