Dr Damian Spiteri joined colleagues from across Europe at the University of Split in Croatia for a conference named ‘A Decade of Sustainable Development Goals. The conference proved to be ’a straight-talking stocktake of what’s worked, what hasn’t, and where we go next. It was hosted by the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences with OdRaST and the Center for Human Rights Research and Education and took place from 25 to 27 September 2025.
As a lecturer in social policy and social work within the Faculty of Social Wellbeing, he approached the conference from a practitioner–educator lens: what enables students to lead real change, and how can universities remove friction. His contribution focused on Malta’s digitally enabled student activism—what’s working, where risks remain, and the practical steps that can be taken to turn successful student-led projects into ongoing initiatives.
The conference was held under the auspices of the SEA-EU (European University of the Seas) alliance. Both the University of Malta (UM) and the University of Split are partners in this alliance, which links nine coastal universities to expand mobility (including virtual exchanges), deliver joint teaching such as micro-credentials, and deepen research collaboration. UM hosted the SEA-EU Governing Week in November 2024. In June 2025, university leaders in Kiel signed a memorandum of understanding to create a legal framework for the alliance and to expand mobility and micro-credentials—steps that directly strengthen digitally enabled student participation
His conference presentation, “University Students in Malta as Digital SDG Changemakers (2015–2025),” showed how UM students are driving real change. Malta’s rapid digital shift lets them organise quickly, test ideas, and scale what works—while also raising risks such as digital inequity, burnout, and ethical concerns. I illustrated this with concrete examples: greener-mobility surveys influencing transport policy; joint campaigns on waste, energy, and commuting; micro-grants turning eco ideas into pilots; student-society projects linking public health and environmental action; plastic-reduction partnerships with vendors; “travelling smart” guides that make sustainable choices easier; World Food Day initiatives; and support for circular and green start-ups. I observed that student-led sustainability works best when universities strengthen what already helps: easy-to-use digital systems that lower entry barriers, simple routes for proposals, quick feedback that keeps projects moving, small flexible funds, and transparent data sharing. Building on that foundation, I also urged universities to make digital participation safe and fair, designing for privacy from the outset, protecting well-being, and providing targeted access support; thereby aiming to ensure that every student can participate fully and confidently.
He is convinced UM’s students are setting the pace for the next decade of sustainability. The next step—through SEA-EU and other UM partnerships—is deeper collaboration between universities, enabling faster idea-sharing, Europe-wide student projects, and open data that makes progress cumulative.