The Malta Sociological Association refers to the public consultation on the proposed ‘Social Plan for the Family’.
It welcomes the work planned to be conducted on the proposed Plan and, importantly, the intention to develop a comprehensive implementation and monitoring framework towards this end. In particular, the MSA notes the following declaration: "To ensure the effective implementation and monitoring of the Social Plan, a High-Level Group for Implementation and Monitoring will be established. This group will develop a comprehensive monitoring framework with quantitative indicators and timelines for each initiative, supplemented by qualitative assessments through surveys and stakeholder engagement feedback." (PCD, p. 12).
The MSA recommends the application of methods as per standards and principles set out by the International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA), in particular those governing social impact assessments. The International Principles for Social 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”.
The IAIA principles provide an effective and structured framework along which the High-Level Group for Implementation and Monitoring may operate. Importantly, adequate resources need to be invested in this High-Level Group and ongoing research if it is to be impactful.
