Dear Friends,
Once again in 2021 I am committed to write my fortnightly Thursday op-ed sociological focus in The Malta Independent print and online editions. Thanks to all readers and staff at The Malta Independent. Best wishes for 2021 🎉
Sunday, December 27, 2020
Thursday, December 24, 2020
Getting together when it matters - Michael Briguglio
Happy Christmas dear readers. My op-ed in today's Malta Independent discusses the opportunity to get together when it matters:
Link:
Getting together when it matters - The Malta Independent
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| Photo by Gail Debono |
Wednesday, December 23, 2020
#Ħsibijiet (75) Kuraġġ
Kuraġġ!
Kuraġġ lil kull min qiegħed jiġġieled il-battalji tiegħu, fis-silenzju.
Battalji li jistgħu jinħassu iktar waqt żmien il-festi.
Hemm affarijiet li ma nistgħux inbiddlu. Fl-istess ħin ħadd ma jista' jiddettalna l-atitudni tagħna lejn dawn l-affarijiet. Fortunatament jeżistu persuni li jistgħu jgħinuna inqumu fuq saqajna. U kultant trid tirkeb il-mewġa minflok ma titkisser ġo fiha.
Iżda hemm affarijiet li jistgħu jinbiddlu. Biex ikun hemm xaqq ta' tama, kultant jeħtieġ li nkunu kuraġġużi u nagħżlu dak li hu ġust, dak li jeħtieġ li jsir.
Mhux faċli. Iżda forsi l-providenza tagħżel lil dawk l-iktar qalbiena għall-ikbar sfidi.
Dal-Milied, nixtieq ngħid kuraġġ lil min qiegħed jiġġieled il-battalji tiegħu.
Friday, December 11, 2020
#Ħsibijiet (74) Simulacra and social change
I often get the impression that parallel universes exist in Malta, the small-island which happens to be the tiniest EU member state.
Let's look at flashy protagonists of the activism/politics/media industry. Networks often support each other, legitimizing each others voices, echoing narratives, covering costs, being selectively critical and assuming that the whole world is watching.
Only that scientific value surveys consistently show that silent majorities have other concerns, and that social change is multifaceted. It goes beyond slogans, likes and photo-opportunities. But as long as we're happy applauding ourselves, that's fine.
Thursday, December 10, 2020
Lifestyle satisfaction, Covid-19, and party affiliation - Michael Briguglio
In my op-ed in today's Malta Independent I discuss lifestyle satisfaction and party affiliation in the current Covid-19 context. You can read the article from this link:
Lifestyle satisfaction, Covid-19, and party af iliation - The Malta Independent
Tuesday, December 08, 2020
#Ħsibijiet (73) Silent majorities and social bubbles
In the news we often read about sensationalist activity which makes snackable media and generates clicks.
But at the same time, silent majorities may be doing their own thing in silence. Some express contention not through public action, but through their choices and interactions in everyday life. The same holds for those who conform to mainstream norms and values.
And each and every one of us faces our own contradictions: We conform to certain processes, institutions and norms but do not conform to others.
From a sociological perspective, if we wish to understand the plurality, intersections and dynamics of people's perspectives and aspirations beyond our own social bubbles, it is important both to study protest, contention and public discourses, but also to investigate the everyday interactions and choices of people beyond the public sphere.
Friday, December 04, 2020
#Ħsibijiet (72) Distorted Communication
In politics and activism, the narrative of the party, faction, group, organization, ideology, identity is often echoed in monolithic ways.
This often leads to parallel discourses which talk past each other: Social distancing in rhetoric, a far cry from deliberation.
How about grounding oneself into evidence and opening oneself to different possibilities before reaching conclusions in advance?
Saturday, November 28, 2020
#Ħsibijiet (71) Gatekeepers
There are so many fingers in the pie that it is not surprising that financing of/for political activism - from candidates to crusaders - is elbowed out of the debate. Better choose to be free than to be sucked in the swamp.
Thursday, November 26, 2020
Telework - Michael Briguglio
In today's op-ed in the Malta Independent I discuss some policy challenges related to telework.
Link:
Telework - The Malta Independent
Monday, November 23, 2020
#Ħsibijiet (70) Politics of Prejudice
When analysing political controversy we should adopt grounded research rather than allowing pre-determined narratives prejudice our critique.
Sunday, November 22, 2020
Ħsibijiet (69) The usual networks
The usual networks who gang to destroy those not in their club are conspicuous by their silence when it suits them.
Thursday, November 12, 2020
Covid Christmas - Michael Briguglio
In today's op-ed in the Malta Independent I discuss the Covid-19 situation in the run-up to Christmas. Link to article:
https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2020-11-12/blogs-opinions/Covid-Christmas-6736228593
Wednesday, November 11, 2020
Ħsibijiet (68) - Political money
If one really wants to tackle the financial links between business and politics, one good starting point is to lobby for change in the loophole-ridden electoral expenses/revenue declaration for candidates. One can also look into 'invisible' money (undeclared, camouflaged, in kind etc, both in terms of expenditure and revenue) and agendas of networks close to politicians, both in terms of expenditure and revenue. But there are so many fingers in this pie that I wouldn't hold my breath. Many beneficiaries from this, no wonder it is elbowed out of the agenda!
Monday, November 09, 2020
Ħsibijiet (67): Discursive voids
When contradictory discourses are combined together this is referred to as "‘interdiscursivity’ (Fairclough, 2015, p. 38), where discourses with largely independent and sometimes antagonistic sources combine in novel ways to create a culturally resonant and ideologically potent fusion.” (Matt Guardino, 2017)
Maybe we can take this to another dimension - Tonkiss (1998) refers to 'discursive silence', which in turn is similar to the concept of “nondecision”, which was advanced by Bachrach and Baratz (1970). Here the power of a discourse is expressed in how it is left out of the agenda, for example by elbowing it out in favour of other discourses or by attempting to ignore the elephant in the room.
Such concepts can help us understand how political agents try to influence public discourse, often in contradictory ways. Amid the noise, such analysis is required to help understand how power works.
Friday, November 06, 2020
Villas at Ħal-Ferħ - Feedback to the Planning Authority
I submitted the following, regarding Public Consultation: Partial Review of the North West Local Plan and the Hal Ferh Development Brief - Phase 2
Re: Partial Review of the North West Local Plan and the Ħal Ferh Development Brief – Phase 2
With reference to the above, I am hereby reiterating my request with respect to Phase 1 of the same Development Brief (ref. my correspondence dated 30 May 2020). Thus I am requesting that the Planning Authority employs a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) process. In this regard, please refer to my correspondence dated 31 May 2019 to the PA regarding SIAs. To date, I have not been informed of any policy update in this regard.
A copy of my correspondence can be obtained from this link:
Tuesday, November 03, 2020
Ħsibijiet (66) - Niddefendu l-pluraliżmu u l-libertajiet
Ejjew nipproteġu l-libertajiet li rebħu l-ġenerazzjonijiet ta' qabilna kif ukoll dawk ta' żminijietna.
Ejjew ukoll nuru rispett lejn persuni, ideat, kulturi u ħsibijiet differenti, f'kuntest politiku u soċjali ta' inklużjoni u agoniżmu bejn avversarji, u mhux mibgħeda u antagoniżmu bejn l-għedewwa.
Sabiex ikun hemm din l-isfera ta' deliberazzjoni, rispett u toleranza, jeħtieġ li jkun hemm sens ta' komunita' u difiża effettiva tal-valuri bażiċi ta' soċjeta' demokratika u liberali: Dik is-soċjeta' li faċli tikkritikaha, iżda li sadanittant ma narawx nies iridu jaħrabu minnha.
Niddefendu l-pluraliżmu, iżda mhux akkost li nitilfu l-istess pluraliżmu.
Thursday, October 29, 2020
Families in our times - Michael Briguglio
My op-ed in today's Malta Independent engages with Pope Francis' recent statement on same-sex couples and discusses some aspects of family life in our times.
Link:
https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2020-10-29/blogs-opinions/Families-in-our-times-6736228218
Wednesday, October 28, 2020
Ħsibijiet (65) - Shooting the messenger
Meta nosserva dak li jintqal u jinkiteb fl-isfera pubblika, ninnota li kemm il-darba jkun hemm nuqqas ta' qbil lejn argument sempliċiment għax ikun għamlu xi ħadd li ma jagħmilx parti mit-tribu' tagħna. Hemm bosta tipi ta' tribujiet, minn dawk partiġġjani sa dawk fazzjonali, minn dawk ideoloġiċi sa dawk attivisti, u minn dawk familjari sa dawk soċjali.
Tispikka inkonistenza fl-argument meta X hija ttimbrata bħala ħażina jekk jgħidha jew jagħmilha A iżda hija aċċettabbli jew saħansitra tajba jekk jgħida jew jagħmila B.
Li jkollna affiljazzjonijiet familjarji, attivisti, fazzjonali, ideoloġiċi, politiċi jew oħrajn hi parti mir-realta' soċjali. U li jkollna nuqqas ta' qbil jew qbil wara li nevalwaw hi sinjal ta' moħħ li jagħrbel u jirrifletti.
Għalhekk tajjeb li qabel ma ninfexxu nobogħdu, ngħajru jew ninjoraw lil min ġej minn xi tribu oħra, nippruvaw nifmhu x'inhu jgħid.
Tuesday, October 20, 2020
Ħsibijiet (64) Baġit f'pandemija
Baġit f'nofs pandemija m'għandux jiġi interpretat b'diskorsi minn epoki tal-passat, qishom minn kapitli li qed jiddeskrivu kuntesti oħra. Il-bidliet soċjali tal-llum, kemm fuq livell komprensiv kif ukoll fil-perspettivi u l-aspirazzjonijiet tan-nies ma jistgħux jiġu injorati meta nitkellmu dwar politika ibbażata fuq l-evidenza.
Hekk kif qed nesperjenzaw il-Covid fatigue u inċertezzi globali, tajjeb li meta niddeliberaw naraw kif nistgħu nissalvagwardjaw u nsaħħu dak li qed jaħdem, li ma niggranfawx ma dak li mhux sostenibbli, li nkunu flessibli u li nagħmlu l-almu tagħna sabiex ħadd ma jibqa lura.
Fuq kollox importanti li nkunu reżiljenti u mgħamra għal kuntest globali iktar stabbli: Kuntest li la nafu meta ġej, u l-anqas jekk qatt hux ser jiġi.
Dan mhux żmien ta' pika partiġġjana iżda ta' kif ngħixu l-isfidi li għandna quddiemna, kemm jista' jkun b'sens ta' responsabilita' soċjali.
Saturday, October 17, 2020
Ħsibijiet (63) 204
Illum rajt nies bil-maskra u oħrajn le, min jagħmel is-social distancing u min qisu xejn m'hu xejn, min ifettaq u min jikkoopera. M'hemmx soluzzjonijiet faċli: Jinħtieġu deċiżjonijiet sodi, infurzar u sens ta' responsabbiltà minn kull waħda u wieħed minna. Ħidma flimkien, mhux pika u tgħajjir f'mument kruċjali għas-socjeta' tagħna. F'kuntest ta' Covid fatigue, l-inqas li għandha bżonn hi li jkun hemm min jipprova jiskurja gowls politiċi jew min jipprova jrewwaħ mibgħeda, xettiċiżmu, surrealiżmu, alabiebiżmu jew sensazzjonaliżmu.
Ejjew inkunu ikbar minn dan kollu. Pajjiż qabel partit. 🇲🇹
Thursday, October 15, 2020
Covid fatigue and policy responses - Michael Briguglio
My op-ed in today's Malta Independent discusses Covid fatigue, coronavirus culture and policy responses.
You can read the article from this link:
Tuesday, October 13, 2020
Feedback to Public Consultation - Environmental Impact Assessment (Amendment) Regulations, 2020
I have submitted the following to the
Ministry for the Environment, Climate Change and Planning
Deadline - 16 October 2020
Re: Public Consultation - Environmental Impact Assessment (Amendment) Regulations, 2020
With reference to the above, I am hereby proposing that Environmental Impact Assessments comprise Social Impact Assessment (SIA) in accordance with international standards for example those set by the International Association for Impact Assessment, which is accessible from this link:
May I emphasize that a Social Impact Assessment is a comprehensive process, and not just a one-off survey.
In this regard, please refer to my correspondence dated 31 May 2019 to the PA regarding SIAs. To date, I have not been informed of any policy update in this regard.
A copy of my correspondence can be obtained from this link:
Tuesday, October 06, 2020
Birgu - Sally Port project requires social analysis
I have sent the following feedback to the Planning Authority. You may send your own representation - details below.
Attn Planning Authority
Email: representations@pa.org.mt
Re: PA 04757/19 - rehabilitation and embellishment of Sally Port Promenade, Birgu
I am hereby submitting the following objection re PA 04757/19 - rehabilitation and embellishment of Sally Port Promenade, Birgu
Whilst recognizing that the area in question requires rehabilitation, the proposed development should be in line with relevant policies (e.g. 'Kottonera Strategy' (issued by the Planning Authority, the Ministry for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects and the Ministry for Justice, Culture and Local Government) and recognize that is a public space which is enjoyed by the community.
I therefore appeal to the PA to carry out a social impact assessment before considering this application, in accordance with international standards for example those set by the International Association for Impact Assessment, which is accessible from this link:
In this regard, please refer to my correspondence about SIAs dated 31 May 2019 to the PA in link below. T
Regards,
Dr Michael Briguglio
Sociologist
Sunday, October 04, 2020
Qui-si-sana: Objection against further noise pollution and commercialisation
Re: 1926 Beach Club, ix-Xatt ta' Qui-Si-Sana, Sliema - Addition of roof garden and seating area over approved structure
I have submitted the following objection to the Planning Authority. Feel free to do the same. You can send an email to address below or object from this link: https://www.pa.org.mt/en/pacasedetails?CaseType=PA/05780/20
To: representations@pa.org.mt
Re: PA/05780/20
Attn Planning Authority,
With reference to the above application, I am hereby objecting.
The 1926 complex is a continuous source of unacceptable noise pollution for residents, including residents who live less than 100 meters away. Such development will increase such pollution apart from further commercialising the coast.
I appeal to the PA to carry out a social impact assessment before considering this application, in accordance with international standards for example those set by the International Association for Impact Assessment, which is accessible from this link:
In this regard, please refer to my correspondence about SIAs dated 31 May 2019 to the PA in link below. To date, I have not been informed of any policy update in this regard.
Dr Michael Briguglio
Sociologist
Thursday, October 01, 2020
Flu Narratives - Michael Briguglio
My op-ed in today's Malta Independent discusses conflicting narratives about the flu vaccine. Read here:
https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2020-10-01/blogs-opinions/Flu-narratives-6736227404
Thursday, September 24, 2020
Feedback to public consultation: Outline application for the construction of a Waste to Energy Plant at Maghtab
Re: The outline application for the construction of a Waste to Energy Plant at Maghtab
To: Ministry for the Environment, Climate Change and Planning
With reference to the public consultation in question, I am hereby appealing to the Ministry to employ a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) process, which is in accordance with international standards for example those set by the International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA), which is accessible from this link:
In this regard, please refer to my correspondence dated 31 May 2019 to the PA regarding SIAs. To date, I have not been informed of any policy update in this regard.
A copy of my correspondence can be obtained from this link - Here I propose key elements of SIAs in line with IAIA policy:
Monday, September 21, 2020
How did Covid19 change Maltese society? A comment to Malta Today
Whilst Covid19 has so far had various uneven impacts on Maltese society, it would be preposterous to reduce social change (or reproduction) to any singular determining factor. On the other hand, one can look into the impacts of a social phenomenon, in this case Covid19 and how it relates to other social phenomena. For example, in the Maltese economic sphere, industries such as tourism are facing uncertainty, and public finance is constantly under pressure to make up for the crisis.
At the same time, Malta's dependency on construction seems to be as influential as ever. The world of employment is facing changes: Workers who lost their jobs, others who are adjusting themselves to digital methods, and new challenges for the work-life balance. In turn, this dovetails with sectors such as education and with existing social factors such as class, gender and social status. For there is a difference between a worker on contract in a sector facing precariousness with another worker with job security.
If one factors in other considerations, such as social integration, diversity, demographic change and caring responsibilities, the equation becomes even more complex, where people share commonalities (for example Covid-driven anxieties) and particularities (for example one's specific family/household situation).
The reproduction of salient Maltese cultural characteristics can be observed too: A sense of community when facing national challenges, a lack of planning and enforcement in certain policy aspects, personalized and factionalized politics, and the resilience of the consumerist identity in a car-driven society. Each and every one of us faces an extra covid-influenced layer of daily dilemmas and choices in a society of opportunities and risks. We may have more questions than answers . In a social reality made up of plural truths and identities, the challenges of recognising and trusting governance processes and evidence-based knowledge becomes ever more complex. Upcoming conflicting school opening challenges and vaccine narratives may be two cases in point.
My comment was included in a feature by James Debono, which can be read here:
Feedback to Consultation re Partial Review of the Ta’ Qali Action Plan (Phase 3)
I have submitted the following regarding the public consultation in question:
Attn: Ministry for the Environment, Climate Change and Planning
Re: Consultation re Partial Review of the Ta’ Qali Action Plan (Phase 3)
With reference to the public consultation in question, I am hereby appealing to the Ministry to employ a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) process, which is in accordance with international standards for example those set by the International Association for Impact Assessment, which is accessible from this link:
In this regard, please refer to my correspondence dated 31 May 2019 to the PA regarding SIAs. To date, I have not been informed of any policy update in this regard.
A copy of my correspondence can be obtained from this link:
Thursday, September 17, 2020
Feedback to public consultation on Water Catchment Management Plan
I have submitted the following:
| Ministry for Energy and Water Management (Energy and Water Agency) water-energywateragency@gov.mt |
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Re: Consultation on the Significant Water Management Issues in preparation for the development of the 3rd Water Catchment Management Plan
Link:
With reference to the consultation in question, may I propose that the proposal and consultation exercise employs a social impact assessment process, to ensure greater outreach and deliberation with stakeholders. An SIA could produce valuable evidence for policy formation and implementation. Various methods, both quantitative and qualitative could be used within social impact assessments. The former refers to generalisable data especially through numbers, while the latter produce in-depth data on matters. Research methods in SIAs may therefore include, for example, quantitative perception surveys and qualitative methods which involve a deeper look into social realities. Besides, elite interviews may verify the advice, concerns and interpretations of persons who are experts or who have experience in the respective field under analysis. SIAs should involve the participation of different stakeholders, ideally through mixed research methods. Analytic indicators should be provided and the entire process should be subject to peer review by independent experts in the field.
This means that if a study is being carried out by a team of social scientists, this should be scrutinised by other independent social scientists. This could help identify shortcomings and possible improvements to the same SIA. |
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Social impact assessments should not be one-off exercises: To the contrary, they should be ongoing processes which engage with various stakeholders and which report back so as to ensure effective policy processes. They should also use complementary research methods so as to ensure reliable and valid data.
In this regard, you may refer to international SIA standards, for example those set by the International Association for Impact Assessment, which is accessible from this link:
Ħsibijiet (62) Narrattivi pubbliċi
Pajjiżna mhux nieqes mill-kontroversji soċjali.
Kemm il-darba ninnota li jinħolqu narrattivi li jiġu ripetuti fl-isfera pubblika, minn netwerks differenti u f'setturi varji, illi mhux bilfors ikunu ibbażati fuq evidenza jew proċess deliberattiv. Jistrieħu fuq twemmin li n-netwerk "tiegħi" bilfors għandha monopolju fuq il-verita' u interessi leġittimi. Fl-istess ħin, min mhux magħna huwa bilfors kontra tagħna. Ma jimpurtax jekk ħaddieħor isaqsi mistoqsijiet jew saħansitra jippreżenta evidenza li ma taqbilx man-narrattivi ta' dawn in-netwerks. Anzi, ġaladarba dak il-ħaddieħor mhux wieħed minnha, niddemoniżżawh, għax bilfors ħażin. Ħalliha li nagħmluha tal-bravi u tal-inklussivi.
Analiżi ta' dan it-tip ta' fazzjonaliżmu dommatiku, ta' dawn il-proċessi ta' poter tista' ssir dwar kwistjonijiet, organiżazzjonijiet u kampanji speċifiċi. Jistgħu jiġu analiżżati id-diskors, il-kompożizzjoni u l-iffinanzjar tan-netwerks, l-interessi, l-istrateġiji u l-antagoniżmi fost inkontri u proċessi soċjali oħra.
Navigating through Covid - Michael Briguglio
In my op-ed in today's Malta Independent I discuss various dilemmas which we face when navigating through Covid-19.
You can read the article here:
Tuesday, September 15, 2020
Feedback to public consultation on the trapping of finches
| My feedback to public consultation: Conservation of Wild Birds (Framework for Allowing a Research Derogation To Determine Malta’s Reference Population of Seven Finch Species) Regulations, 2020 |
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Attn:
| Ministry for Gozo (Wild Birds Regulation Unit) wildbirds@gov.mt |
|---|
With reference to this public consultation, I am submitting the following points for your consideration.
1. The policy proposal will allow trappers to keep the birds they trap without any form of enforcement or accountability. This goes against the spirit of the policy framework in question
2. The scope of the scientific study should be to improve the conservation of finches rather than to be used as a political excuse to derogate from the directive in question. The methodology requires scientific accreditation and independent peer review.
3. The methodology being proposed will allow around 4,000 non-scientifically trained people to trap birds simultaneously using live decoys and electronic lures in a small island state. This looks like a case of over-pressure on migrating finches. The methodology requires scientific accreditation and independent peer review.
4. The proposal and consultation exercise requires a social impact assessment process, even more so since the policy proposal looks tailor made to accomodate one lobby amid a much broader field of stakeholders. An SIA could produce valuable evidence for policy formation and implementation. Various methods, both quantitative and qualitative could be used within social impact assessments. The former refers to generalisable data especially through numbers, while the latter produce in-depth data on matters. Research methods in SIAs may therefore include, for example, quantitative perception surveys and qualitative methods which involve a deeper look into social realities. Besides, elite interviews may verify the advice, concerns and interpretations of persons who are experts or who have experience in the respective field under analysis. SIAs should involve the participation of different stakeholders, ideally through mixed research methods. Analytic indicators should be provided and the entire process should be subject to peer review by independent experts in the field.
This means that if a study is being carried out by a team of social scientists, this should be scrutinised by other independent social scientists. This could help identify shortcomings and possible improvements to the same SIA. |
|---|
Social impact assessments should not be one-off exercises: To the contrary, they should be ongoing processes which engage with various stakeholders and which report back so as to ensure effective policy processes. They should also use complementary research methods so as to ensure reliable and valid data.
Monday, September 07, 2020
#Ħsibijiet (61) Klassiżmu politiku
Meta wieħed janaliżża l-istrateġiji ta' dawk li jeċċellaw fl-esklużjoni ta' min ma jappartjenix fin-netwerks tagħhom, wieħed jista jinnota diskors selettiv u kontradittorju. Id-diskors jiġi analiżżat kemm b'dak li jintqal, kif ukoll b'dak li ma jintqalx: Dak li jiġi mwarrab mill-aġenda politika.
In-nuqqas ta' trasparenza tikkumplika l-affarijiet. Izda analiżi strutturata ta' dan il-klassiżmu politiku jurik kif jitfasslu dawn in-netwerks, kif u meta toħroġ il-propaganda u x'għodda tintuża għal dan il-għan.
Feedback to Public Consultation - Aarhus Convention National Implementation Report 2021
I submitted the following with regards to this public consultation.
To:
| aarhus.malta@era.org.mt |
| Ministry for the Environment, Climate Change and Planning (Environment & Resources Authority) Re: Public Consultation - Intent and Objectives: Consultation on the Aarhus Convention National Implementation Report 2021 Link: https://meae.gov.mt/en/Public_ With reference to above, I hereby propose that the policy process employs a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) process, which is in accordance with international standards for example those set by the International Association for Impact Assessment, which is accessible from this link: In this regard, please refer to my correspondence dated 31 May 2019 to the PA regarding SIAs. To date, I have not been informed of any policy update in this regard. A copy of my correspondence can be obtained from this link: |
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Thursday, September 03, 2020
Decent Income - Michael Briguglio
My op-ed in today's Malta Independent discusses recent data and policy discourses on decent income.
Link: https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2020-09-03/blogs-opinions/Decent-income-6736226616
Sunday, August 30, 2020
#Ħsibijiet (60) Dibattiti u Due Diligence
Fil-futur qrib, it-tesserati tal-Partit Nazzjonalista ser jikkonfermaw lil Adrian Delia jew jagħżlu lil Bernard Grech bħala Kap tal-Partit.
F'isem it-trasparenza u d-demokrazija, nemmen li t-tesserati u l-pubbliku għandhom dritt li jkunu mgħarfa dwar id-due diligence taż-żewġ kandidati u li jaraw dibattiti bejnithom.
Nittama li din tkun elezzjoni fejn tiġi rispettata l-intelliġenza ta' min ser jivvota. Fejn ikun hemm deliberazzjoni bejn ideat, stili, proposti u persunaġġi differenti, u mhux strateġiji sensazzjonalisti u distruttivi minn wara l-kwinti.
Thursday, August 27, 2020
The breakdown of Omerta'
Today's court hearings regarding the murder of #DaphneCaruanaGalizia:
Last November 23rd, I sensed a breakdown of omerta'. In my blog I wrote as follows:
"When Mizzi and Schembri were not fired during the Panama Papers scandal it was clear that they had disproportionate power within the ruling elite.
The recent turn of events indicates that implosion may be knocking at the door of the same elite. The requests for presidential pardons hints the breakdown of omerta' and the spread of distrust and panic. Government's refusal to urgently discuss matters in Parliament, as requested by the Opposition suggests that the ruling elite is trying to cover up its newly found weakness and confusion by stonewalling debate. It is trying to put on a brave face behind precarious unity. A waiting game is in place, but in the meantime cans of worms may still be opened within the judicial process. Behind the apparent unity of the power bloc, elites may be calculating the best way to save themselves.
In such instances I admire those who see the bigger picture and act accordingly, irrespective of their affiliations and orientations. There are plural possible political outcomes, but the great unifier is that the current situation is untenable"
Last November 23rd, I sensed a breakdown of omerta'. In my blog I wrote as follows:
"When Mizzi and Schembri were not fired during the Panama Papers scandal it was clear that they had disproportionate power within the ruling elite.
The recent turn of events indicates that implosion may be knocking at the door of the same elite. The requests for presidential pardons hints the breakdown of omerta' and the spread of distrust and panic. Government's refusal to urgently discuss matters in Parliament, as requested by the Opposition suggests that the ruling elite is trying to cover up its newly found weakness and confusion by stonewalling debate. It is trying to put on a brave face behind precarious unity. A waiting game is in place, but in the meantime cans of worms may still be opened within the judicial process. Behind the apparent unity of the power bloc, elites may be calculating the best way to save themselves.
In such instances I admire those who see the bigger picture and act accordingly, irrespective of their affiliations and orientations. There are plural possible political outcomes, but the great unifier is that the current situation is untenable"
Thursday, August 20, 2020
Why was the Psychiatric Outpatients Department closed? Michael Briguglio
Why was the Psychiatric Outpatients Department closed? I discuss this in my op-ed in today's Malta Independent.
Link:
Thursday, August 06, 2020
Politicians, finance, lobbying - Michael Briguglio
In my fortnightly op-ed in the Malta Independent I discuss the politicians' financial practices and lobbying.
You can read the article here:
https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2020-08-06/blogs-opinions/Politicians-inance-lobbying-6736225847
You can read the article here:
https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2020-08-06/blogs-opinions/Politicians-inance-lobbying-6736225847
Thursday, July 30, 2020
#Ħsibijiet (59) - Il-vot ta' din il-ġimgħa
Fil-kontroversja kurrenti dwar il-PN, ftit ta’
ġimgħat ilu jien u oħrajn ipproponejna li l-kwistjoni tmur għand il-Kunsill
Ġenerali u għand it-tesserati.
Dan għax hekk titlob id-demokrazija u għax ħadd m’għandu jqis il-partit bħala propjeta’
tiegħu.
Bħalissa il-fazzjonijiet qed jagħmlu l-almu tagħhom biex jipperswadu lill-kunsilliera dwar
il-vot ta’ din il-ġimgħa.
Kollox sew, sakemm kulħadd jimxi man-normi tad-diċenza
u rispett. Sfortunatament fil-politika tas-sensazzjonaliżmu u tas-soundbites,
dawn iż-żewġ fatturi kemm il-darba jingħataw il-ġemb anke jekk iweġġgħu nies
tad-demm u l-laħam.
Bħala kunsillier nemmen li kulħadd għandu l-intelliġenza
tiegħu biex jasal għal għażla ħielsa waqt il-vot.
Personalment jien dejjem
ippruvajt inkun fair, tajt il-kontribut li stajt, irrispettajt lill-kollegi
tiegħi, qatt ma ppretendejt xejn u qatt ma kont fil-but ta’ ħadd jew membru ta’ xi tribu. U hekk ser
nibqa’.
Tuesday, July 28, 2020
Feedback to public consultation: Wellbeing First: A Vision for Malta’s Environment, National Strategy for the Environment 2050
I have submitted the following feedback regarding this public consultation.
To:
| nse@era.org.mt |
Ministry for the Environment, Climate Change and Planning
(Environment & Resources Authority)
Re: Public Consultation: Wellbeing First: A Vision for Malta’s Environment, National Strategy for the Environment 2050
The process to have a national strategy for Malta's environment is welcome in principle. In this regard, I would like to propose that both the articulation of the strategy as well as its implementation, employ the respective processes of Social Impact Assessments (SIA), in accordance with international standards for example those set by the International Association for Impact Assessment, which is accessible from this link:
In this regard, please refer to my correspondence dated 31 May 2019 to the PA regarding SIAs. To date, I have not been informed of any policy update in this regard.
A copy of my correspondence can be obtained from this link:
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