MSA's Position on the "Development Planning (Procedure for Applications and their Determination) Amendment Regulations

The Malta Sociological Association (MSA) notes the Planning Authority’s proposal to add a new development type in the development planning amendment regulations, covering onshore, offshore, and greenhouse-based renewable energy projects.

To this end, the MSA calls for the mainstreaming of Social Impact Assessments (SIAs) as an integral part of the planning and evaluation process, including specific energy projects and installations. The International Association for Impact Assessment defines SIA as “the processes of analysing, monitoring and managing the intended and unintended social consequences, both positive and negative, of planned interventions (policies, programs, plans, projects) and any social change processes invoked by those interventions.” As an interdisciplinary, methodologically rigorous process grounded in the social sciences, SIA allows for a systematic understanding of how different communities, especially those situated n
ear or affected by projects such as renewable energy developments, experience, negotiate, and are impacted by such projects. This includes issues related to land use, visual and cultural landscapes, participation in benefit-sharing, and trust in institutions. Social impacts must be assessed and monitored as part of an ongoing, inclusive process that ensures transparency, responsiveness, and long-term social sustainability.

MSA Submits Feedback on EU’s Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) Regulation Public Consultation

The Malta Sociological Association (MSA) notes the public consultation on evaluating the Common Fisheries Policy (Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013). 

The MSA recommends that the evaluation and future revisions of the CFP Regulation integrate a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) as part of the policy process, following a comprehensive and scientific approach in line with the International Principles for Social Impact Assessment.

The International Association for Impact Assessment defines Social Impact Assessment as “the processes of analysing, monitoring and managing the intended and unintended social consequences, both positive and negative, of planned interventions (policies, programs, plans, projects) and any social change processes invoked by those interventions”. An SIA is inherently interdisciplinary and relies on well-established social-scientific methods, both qualitative and quantitative.

Given that the CFP affects diverse coastal communities, labour markets, and household livelihoods, a structured SIA would provide critical insights into how policy impacts are experienced by different social groups. These assessments should not be one-off exercises but continuous processes that actively engage stakeholders and feed back into decision-making to ensure inclusive, adaptive, and effective policy implementation.

Therefore, the MSA encourages the embedding of a formal and participatory social impact assessment framework into the CFP, both for this evaluation and for future policy.

MSA elects new Committee for 2025

Following its Annual General Meeting for the current year, the Malta Sociological Association has elected a new committee, made up as follows:

Chairperson - Maria C. Borg

Vice-Chairperson - Ljiljana Cumura

Secretary - Donnah Calleja

Treasurer - Julian Micallef

Public Relations Officer - Daniel Gafa'

International Officer - Ljiljana Cumura

Training Officer - Brian Chircop

Outreach Officer -  Dylan Cassar

Committee Members - Bridget Borg, Michael Briguglio, Sara Mari Cardona, Mariella Debono

Directory of Sociologists launched by the Malta Sociological Association

The Malta Sociological Association launched its Directory of Sociologists during its Annual General Meeting held on March 14. 

The directory will be available upon request to those interested in engaging, discussing, or inviting sociologists for specialised and professional activities such as research, analysis, commentary, speaking, and writing. 

The sociologists enlisted in the directory are all members of the Malta Sociological Association and have expressed their consent to feature on the directory. Their respective specialisations are also included. Members should inform MSA of any updates to the details provided. Annually, prior to every Annual General Meeting, the Association will issue an updated version.

Those interesting in obtaining a copy of the directory should write to maltasociologicalassociation (at) gmail.com

Conference Proceedings - 3rd International Malta Sociology Conference 2024

 

Press Release: Malta Sociological Association to hold Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting of the Malta Sociological Association will be held on Friday 14th March 2025 at 18:00. The meeting is open to paid members of the MSA and to those interested in joining the MSA (payments can be affected on the day). More details can be found here.

The Malta Sociological Association was founded in 2016 and  is a non-profit making organisation. It is a non-commercial entity, which aims to develop and promote sociological knowledge. The Association promotes sociological research and contributes toward facilitating the cooperation of people working within the sociological field. It also aims at understanding and analysing social problems for the improvement of the quality of life.

National Sexual Health Strategy - Sociologists' feedback

The Malta Sociological Association (MSA) has submitted the following feedback to the European Commission about the National Sexual Health Strategy 2025-2030:

The Malta Sociological Association (MSA) notes the public consultation for the National Sexual Health Strategy 2025-2030. The MSA proposes the adoption of a Social Impact Assessment (SIA), as part of this strategy, that follows a comprehensive and scientific approach in conformity with the International Principles for Social Impact Assessment. The International Association for Impact Assessment defines SIA as being “the processes of analysing, monitoring and managing the intended and unintended social consequences, both positive and negative, of planned interventions (policies, programs, plans, projects) and any social change processes invoked by those interventions”. An SIA is an interdisciplinary process, and follows established social-scientific methods, both quantitative and qualitative. Social impact assessments should not be one-off exercises, but ongoing processes which engage with various stakeholders and which report back so as to ensure effective policy processes.