GROWING TOGETHER
Newsletter of the Department of Public Policy
Faculty of Economics, Management and Accountancy University of Malta
Contents
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Foreword by Head of Department
Public Life in Malta
Meeting Graduates of the Department of Public Policy
Brussels study visit
Interview with Steve Camilleri
Political Studies Association
Higher Diploma in Political Studies
Amanda Bartolo Farewell Dinner
GROWING TOGETHER
Foreword
People reading or listening to the news would be
forgiven for thinking that politics is rotten and
that governments are dysfunctional. Harold
Macmillan, Prime Minister of the UK in the
nineteen sixties, is credited with the aphorism, a
week is a long time in politics. Certainly, events
of the past week, in Malta, the EU and in Syria,
seem to bear him out. Whether it be the sudden
escalation of conflicts within the Nationalist
Party, or the transition from euphoria to renewed
uncertainty over the prospects of the euro, or the
dramatic eruption of the rebel army into the
heart of Damascus, politics appears to be
unpredictable, as well as dramatic and,
occasionally, tragic.
lends the enterprise stability in moments of crisis
or vulnerability. Public policy may also be likened
to the matrix within which economic life and
society exist: without that matrix, business
degenerates into barter, and society unravels in
The trouble with this view of politics is that it is disorder.
plainly wrong and leads people and businesses
either to opt out of public affairs or to engage in The Department’s recently completed book
a cynical, rapacious political game.
entitled Public Life in Malta demonstrates the
value of public policy and politics, as well as the
An understanding of politics, government and value of our research. It represents a collaborative
policy stems not from a passive reading of effort which involved my colleagues, our
alarmist news, but from scholarly enquiry. This is students and overseas visitors. It is one more sign
a primary task of the Department of Public of the vitality of public policy as an academic
Policy. Through our teaching, research and discipline, and it offers plenty of evidence of the
consulting, we probe the deeper truths behind ways in which sound policy, well-performing
the news headlines and the statistics: there institutions and democratic politics contribute to
emerges a more nuanced picture of public wealth-generation and social well-being.
affairs, one which acknowledges the failings of
politics, but also recognises that there can be no I hope that this will encourage those of you who
private welfare without a vibrant public life, no are choosing the major areas of study to think
market or enterprise without robust policies and carefully about how Public Policy might
regulators.
contribute to your professional careers. I also
hope that it will encourage every reader to take
Different facets of public policy can be described the duties of citizenship seriously.
by means of metaphors. Public policy can be
likened to the ‘sleeping partner’ of a business –
the partner who is not actively engaged in
Dr Edward Warrington
managing the business, but whose presence
Head of Department
NEWSLETTER Of THE DEPARTMENT Of PUBLIC POLICy
Public Life in Malta
A new publication by the Department of Public Policy
by Mario Thomas Vassallo
Public Life in Malta: Essays on governance, politics and
public affairs in the EU’s smallest member state, edited
by Mario Thomas Vassallo, is a new academic
publication issued by the Department of Public Policy
at the University of Malta. It incorporates a collection
of essays and papers that embody some of the recent
research and thinking of the Department’s scholars
and graduates. Some of the themes that are dealt
with, such as corruption and good governance, are
long standing concerns. Others are emerging as a
consequence of Malta’s accession to the European
Union and its integration into the intensely
competitive global community: these issues include
the ‘emancipation’ and ‘Europeanisation’ of civil
society and women, as well as the re-emergence of
poverty as a leading policy concern.
The book is organised in two parts. The first is
dedicated to politics and governance dimensions of
the Maltese national political system. The second part
is devoted to the concept of subsidiarity which
encapsulates local governance and civic
engagement in managing public affairs.
Book name: Public Life in Malta: Essays on
governance, politics and public affairs
in the EU’s smallest member state
Editor:
Mario Thomas Vassallo
Publisher:
Department of Public Policy,
University of Malta
No. of page: 336
ISBN No.
978-99957-0-168-0
The scope of Public Life in Malta acquires greater
significance when small states are becoming more
visible in the constellations of power, on regional and
global platforms. Since the ‘big bang’ enlargement in
004, the EU is even more populated by small member
states, with more of these waiting in the wings.
Consequently, the nature and extent of small states’ diplomatic missions, ratings agencies or transinfluence in the EU is destined to intensify and flourish. national corporations and non-governmental
organisations. The book’s thought-provoking ideas
Besides students and scholars, politicians and policy and well-written chapters is academic contribution
practitioners, and readers who are keen on Melitensia to Malta’s uncommonly rich tapestry of politics,
studies, the book should also be of interest to those government and policy-making.
who observe Malta from a distance – within
international organisations, or European institutions, The book is available at all leading book outlets.
3
GROWING TOGETHER
Meeting Graduates of the
Department of Public Policy
Alan Buhagiar, who graduated in Public Policy
(Hons) in 2011, writes about his days at university and his new job at MEUSAC.
Time flies quickly. It’s been a year since I completed
my studies at the University of Malta and I am already missing the fun of being a university student!
Have I said fun?! yes of course, it actually depends
on how much effort you put in, in every aspect.
I remember my first year, confused on which subject to embark on. Economics and public policy
were the two subjects I focused on, furthering my
studies in public policy. During my years at university I wanted to make the most out of my life and
engaged my self in a number of activities at a local
level, helping out various non-governmental organisations, something which complements our
course.
asking to myself what public policy will give me in
Today, I am an Executive EU funding, with Malta EU return in the near future. The question was easily
Steering and Action Committee (MEUSAC). Al- answered once I commenced my employment. The
though I am not involved in EU policy and legisla- experience in leading projects, meeting deadlines,
tion, which is one of the three pillars supporting find a solution for upcoming problems and enMEUSAC, Public Policy has still helped me to get hance creativeness in your projects were all learnt
this prestigious job. My main duty is to assist Local during my public policy lectures, thanks to the dyCouncils and non-governmental organisations in namic lecturers at the department. The involvedrawing up funding submissions of new creative ment in local NGOs have helped me to have an
projects in order to put on greater ability of getting experience at hand and thus how to adapt when
EU funds to support their projects. Apart from this dealing with different persons. The University exwe set up one to one meetings with local councils perience should serve not to learn the theories by
and NGOs to get to know their priorities, draft heart but to open new dimensions on how to think
funding plans and hold information sessions and and react to the daily actions we face. This is why
workshops about EU funds.
public policy is different from other subjects; public policy gives you the necessary skills dealing with
Before I graduated and started my employment, governmental, European Union, civil society, and
even though I knew the subject matters well, I kept other related issues.
4
A study visit to Brussels
The Honours Public Policy students describe their experience in
Belgium during a study visit to Brussels held between 19th and
23th February 2012.
By Daniel Cassar, Dwight Gauci, Mirko Portelli,
Christian Muscat
Maria Darmanin, who is the vice-president
responsible for communication, gave us a
presentation about the role and the strategy of the
We had been looking forward to this visit for EESC.
months and when the day finally arrived we were
very eager to visit the hub of the European Union. Later in the afternoon we met Lars Erik forsberg of
On the first day, we settled down in a traditional the European Commission, who was one to the
cosy house and afterwards visited some interesting people involved in the negotiations in the preplacing such as the Grand Place and Sablon which accession period of Malta. He is also currently
is a popular touristic area famous for the involved in the EU negotiations of Serbia. He made
production of fine chocolate. We also went around comparisons between Malta and Serbia and the
the so called old city and this helped us to peculiarities that each country has. We had the
familiarise ourselves with the traditions and culture chance to expand more on policy areas and not
of the city.
just enlargement issues. Topics such as illegal
immigration in Malta, the Birds Directive and the
Monday
current economic and financial crisis were just a
We kicked off our visits with the first one being the few of the topics discussed.
office of John Dalli, the Maltese Commissioner for
Health and Consumer Policy. Unfortunately he was In the evening we had the opportunity to have an
unavailable due to other commitments and we informal meeting with Henrik Soderman who
were instead welcomed by Joanna Darmanin, who works in the DG Internal Market and Services, and
is responsible for the overall administration of State Aid Unit of the European Commission. He first
Dalli’s cabinet. She gave us an overview of the took us for a tour of the Sablon area famous for
complex policy making process between different chocolate and we later continued our chat over
institutions of the EU. We were also given the dinner in a traditional Belgian restaurant.
chance to raise questions on different EU matters.
Tuesday
It was then the turn of the Malta Business Bureau On Tuesday morning, our programme began with a
where Mr. Omar Cutajar, explained to us the visit to The Brussels Office. This is a public affairs
composition and the strategic direction of the MBB. agency specializing in the EU operated by a
Together with Omar, we then headed to the Norwegian consultancy team. Mr. Daniel Prior is a
BUSINESSEUROPE premises where we met the professional consultant, developing and executing
communication advisor who illustrated the lobby strategies for his niche clients. Mr. Prior
representative role of the entity and how advocacy explained the three main services offered by The
is conducted.
Brussels Office. They provide requested information
about EU policies to their clients, by monitoring
After a short break for dinner we reached the policy areas relevant to their commercial activities or
European Economic and Social Committee. Anna political interests. They provide training courses to
5
GROWING TOGETHER
Left to right: Mirko Portelli, Dwight Gauci, Robert Micallef, Daniel Cassar, Christian Muscat.
increase their clients’ understanding of European
policies, and help identifying key decision-makers in
Brussels. The Brussels Office offers advice on
networking and lobbying for organizations or
individuals with regard to the European institutions,
so their communicated message has maximum
impact in Brussels.
meet Mr. Cuschieri because it was the ‘Green week’
in the European Parliament (EP), where MEP’s hold
meetings in their constituencies and the EP was
relatively unpopulated. Then, we went for a tour in
the EP building with Mr. Cuschieri who explained
to us the use of the hemicycle as a debating
chamber.
Our second visit was to the secretariat of the Party
of European Socialists (PES) an alliance of centreleft parties. The small team which ensures the daily
running of the PES was very helpful in explaining
what their work involves. Anne Morin explained
how they organise meetings with EU member
governments to discuss the major issues on the
Council's agenda. She also mentioned the PES
relationship with the Labour Party - Malta. PES is
the second largest political force in the European
Parliament. David Capezzuto the International
policy adviser raised the importance of keeping
communication with non-EU members.
Our last meeting of the day was with Matt Dann the
Secretary General of Bruegel, an independent
European think tank working in the field of
European and global economic policy-making
through open, fact-based and policy-relevant
research, analysis and debate. Bruegel is a nonprofit international association, consisting of top
researchers from around the world, resident and
non-resident, plus a team of operational staff. Mr.
Matt explained that although the research reports
are all available online for free, they come at a very
high cost for Bruegel. funding only comes from
yearly subscriptions by its members.
In the afternoon, we had the opportunity to meet Wednesday
the recently appointed MEP Joseph Cuschieri in his On our last day of meetings of this study visit, there
office at the Espace Léopold. We were lucky to was enthusiasm as we were attending some
6
interesting places and most importantly the
plenary session of the European Economic and
Social Committee (EESC) where President Barroso
was scheduled to speak.
The day kicked off with a meeting with Anne Hoel
of the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA). This
is a group, the main scope of which is to represent
the public health community throughout Europe.
Dinner meeting with banker Solange Mifsud who was on her last day in Brussels after a year
This meeting proved to be very interesting as apart working as a Policy Officer in the Asset Management Unit within DG Internal Market and Services
from a brief background of the group, together of the European Commission.
with its main functions, the discussion also turned a good relationship with other representatives of
into one which related to issues faced by Malta other countries.
with respect to this sector which was brought up
by one of the students.
The highlight of the day was attending the plenary
session of the European Economic and Social
Our next event was a seminar at the European Committee (EESC). We felt privileged to be able to
Council. In this seminar we teamed up with other attend this session as it is very difficult to enter such
students from the UK Lancashire Law School. Some sessions. Apart from trying to follow the discussion
of the important factors mentioned were the roles of which involved a number of different languages,
the European Council in the European context. While the fact that we heard and saw one of Europe’s
other interesting points mentioned were the fact that leaders was a big event in itself.
discussions are not only held in a formal meeting, but
longer breaks are given in order to give the Unexpectedly, the day ended with a visit to the
opportunity to Ministers to have enough time to Parliamentarium which gave us time to get a better
reflect and discuss in an informal way between each understanding of the history of the European
other. Therefore, informality is vital in certain cases. Union and its members in an interactive and
Another important factor is the fact that every entertaining environment.
Presidency brings in a new needed energy as this
tends to vary from one country to another.
This experience has been a memorable one for the
four of us. The study visit helped us to understand
We also had the opportunity for a brief meeting with better the policy process that most institutions face
Annabelle Gauci who works at the office of the EU in their day to day duties, meet established people in
council President Herman Van Rompuy. We talked in different sectors and also make contacts with a
an informal way her day to day duties and explained number of speakers that we met during these five
to us the environment of the office she works in.
days. We would like to thank the Public Policy
department especially Edward Warrington and
The next meeting was at the Malta House where Robert Micallef for making this study visit a successful
we had the opportunity to meet a representative one and for giving us this life time opportunity which
of the Permanent Representation of Malta to the we shall cherish throughout our careers.
EU. This is an extension of the Government of Malta
in Brussels. It is divided into eleven units such as Newsletter cover page shows MEP Joseph Cuschieri
the competitiveness unit. An important factor of hosting the Honours students at the European
the permanent representation is that it maintains Parliament.
7
GROWING TOGETHER
The Policy Process
Steve Camilleri, Senior Manager at Transport Malta, is an alumnus of the Department of Public Policy. In this interview with Robert Micallef
he shares his views about the work of the Department and the study of Public Policy.
opportunity for safe, guided, academic think; critical
analysis and idea development that students should
remember throughout any future career in this field.
Q - From your experience of the University of Malta
how do you think the study of public policy can
have a bearing on the way public agencies are run?
A - The part time Masters' programme does not lend
itself to influencing the "way public agencies are run"
as this would be more of a governance issue which is
not directly addressed.
However the programme definitely encourages the
discussion of experiences among the students, who
are often practitioners in their own right.This in turn is
frequently analysed as a group (under the guidance of
the tutors), such that "lessons learnt" and "good
practice" is considered and critiqued, while using the
students' own examples as a form
of case study.
Q - How can the study of public policy help
graduates who want to work in public affairs
particularly those who seek employment in the
realm of regulatory authorities?
Q - How do you think Malta's public administration
and political structures stand to gain from better
trained Public Policy graduates?
A - A generic perspective on any situation that a
A - University starts off by stretching the mind and skill- Masters' graduand may encounter is more likely to be
set of its graduands. In the public policy field, a broad addressed with quick, albeit well formulated, analysis
knowledge of effective reading, rapid & effective that provides an appropriately articulated solution.
analysis and succinct relating of views, interpretations
and positions are hallmarks of the best employees in Specifically with Public Policy graduates, the exposure
policy.
to various historical and comparative perspectives
further enhance the effective input that the graduands
The study of public policy at the University of Malta is will be empowered to provide within their future
geared towards exactly this, in particular providing the employment. While the programme does not look
8
NEWSLETTER Of THE DEPARTMENT Of PUBLIC POLICy
specifically at the political aspect, the structured
analysis of the political context of various policy
decisions and directions taken by Malta over the years,
encourages a well informed and grounded
understanding of the decisions and directions taken
and sets the context for future directions.
an on-the-job specialism; the graduate programme
could possibly provide optional ancillary credits on a
variety of practical matters
ranging from presentation skills through to
negotiation skills, from an ability to read and write a
variety of languages though to being able to set out
budgets and forecasts and implement financial
few other courses are likely to focus on these control; and last but not least being office application
combinations and therefore a public policy graduate literate.
would stand head and shoulders above any peer in
the public administration and its agencies and this can These skills would definitely be well received should
only serve to better the public administration.
my team be recruiting, who while having time to
explain the particularities of our expert field in
Q - How is Transport Malta coping with its current transport, would find it frustrating if new recruits
administrative burdens and how prepared is it to lacked many of the basic skills listed above.
face the challenges of the future?
Q - What do you think are Malta's most difficult
A -The major challenge for management in any part of policy challenges at this juncture?
the public sector is the efficient allocation of effective
resource at the point in time that it is needed. The A - Some of the more difficult themes and policy
scarce resource for public sector is usually the matters are those that are considered to be
resources (both time and money) andTransport Malta "horizontal" in nature; or in other words are the remit
is no different in this case. I do not think it appropriate of multiple ministries with no clear leader on the
to speculate on the future at
dossier. Examples are Climate Change (mitigation
this time, however the critical analysis mentioned efforts); integrated policies (such as the
earlier would definitely support the graduand in integrated maritime policy).
dealing with challenges in the best possible way.
Also the high speed at which negotiations are carried
Q - Do you think the Department of Public Policy out in Brussels and the rapid turn-around times that
should have the capacity to offer more graduate mean that the reporting-drafting cycle is squeezed to
programmes that are tailor made for specific areas less than a day or even a few hours, continue to
of policy making?
challenge the structured system that governs the
development and deployment of national positions
A - Public policy requires a wide ranging set of skills; in various fora.
from numeric ability, through being able to articulate
in writing, or even the ability to negotiate on the fly.
To take advantage of our "smallness" and agility, Malta
needs to ensure that bureaucratic processes do not
Therefore, rather than tailor-make the graduate creep into the systems in the name of quality without
programme for a specific area, which often could be clear advantages to efficiency.
9
GROWING TOGETHER
The Annual Conference of the
Political Studies Association
The Political Studies Association is the leading
learned association in its field in the UK, with an
international membership including academics in
politics and political science, researchers,
policymakers, practitioners, teachers and students
in higher education.
The Association has a well-deserved reputation for
producing top-quality, rigorous scholarship. Its
research is used by the media, government,
business and the voluntary sector in the UK and
beyond, and it is regularly consulted for its advice
and expertise by higher education policy-makers
and funding. The Political Studies Association
provides a forum for scholarship through five
quality journals published in association with
Blackwell Publishers.
excellent reputation for lively writing and contains
and analyses by both established and new
members of the political science community. The
British Journal of Politics and International Relations
publishes topical, scholarly work on significant
debates in British scholarship and on all major
Political Studies is one of the most cited journals in political issues affecting Britain’s relationship to
the field and attracts contributions from academics Europe and the world.
of international standing. Through original research
articles, reviews, debates and research notes, it Political Insight is a full-colour magazine written for
reflects the vigour and importance of the discipline those with an interest in politics. International in
of politic and contributes to the development of the both the scope of issues it covers and in the sources
discipline internationally.
it draws from, Political Insight presents research on
politics and international studies in an entertaining
Political Studies Review provides unrivalled review and engaging manner.
coverage of new books and literature on political
science and international relations.
The PSA also provides expertise and information
about politics through a variety of non-academic
The Review provides a forum for wide-ranging outlets.
debates and reviews on state of-the-art issues
within the discipline and reflects the broad range of PSA News is a regular newsletter containing short
work being done within the UK and internationally. articles and commentaries, news from
departments, information on research grants and
Politics is a teaching resource, identifying the topics projects, plus details of conferences, specialist
that students really need to know about. It has an groups and other activities.
10
NEWSLETTER Of THE DEPARTMENT Of PUBLIC POLICy
Robert Micallef with the Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, during the Annual Conference of the Political Studies Association
PSA Directory is produced jointly with the British
International Studies and is an invaluable
reference work listing all politics scholars in the
UK and Ireland by department and by university.
Media Register of Experts is compiled by the PSA
from the latest research information and lists
experts on politics and political science in the UK.
Studying Politics is a successful booklet
promoting the study of politics in higher
education and is distributed to all UK sixth-forms
and colleges.
The 6nd Annual Conference of the Political Studies
Association was hosted by the University of Ulster
between 3rd and 5th April 01. It was attended by
Robert Micallef, a member of staff at the Department
of Public Policy shortly after he completed an EU
funded teaching assignment at the University of
Limerick in the Republic of Ireland.
11
GROWING TOGETHER
Studying politics at the University of Malta
A part-time Higher Diploma course in Political Studies is being offered by the Department of
Public Policy within the Faculty of Economics, Management and Accountancy. The course is a
three-year evening programme with lectures held twice a week at the main campus
of the University.
Applicants must satisfy the General Entry
Requirements for admission, namely, the
Matriculation Certificate and Secondary
Education Certificate passes at Grade 5 or better
in Maltese, English Language and Mathematics.
Public policy is interdisciplinary in nature. It is
affected by social and economic conditions,
political as well as cultural values, and the
structure of local, national and supranational
governing institutions. The study of public policy
requires the integration of knowledge from
multiple disciplines to understand and critically
assess common challenges and potential
solutions.
Applicants admitted under sub-paragraph (a)(iii)
of paragraph () of regulation of the Admission
Regulations (http://www.um.edu.mt/registrar/
regulations/general/admissions_regs_1997)
must be in possession of those qualifications Through the strategic contribution of its
and/or experience that would
academic and business
satisfy the Board of Studies
partners,
the
that they have reached the
Department of Public
academic standard required
Policy draws upon their
The course is a three-year
to follow the Course with
knowledge
and
profit. The eligibility of such
experience
that
is
evening programme with
applicants shall be decided
usually
available,
lectures
held
twice
a
week
by the Board of Studies,
including
European
following an interview
affairs,
economics,
at the main campus
conducted
by
an
sociology, management,
interviewing
board
and political science.
of the University.
appointed for the purpose.
Only
through
a
coordinated exposure to
The Department of Public
these fields can a student
Policy seeks to prepare students and practitioners understand how they interact in the world of
for significant professional and managerial public policy.
positions. The curriculum of our academic
programmes is designed to equip students with for more detailed information, and to apply,
the competencies of contemporary public and follow
this
link:http://www.um.edu.mt/
private
management,
provide
broad fema/overview/UHDPTSPTE-01-3-O
understanding of the role of administration in
policy formulation, implementation and Enquiries may also be made with the Department
evaluation processes, and provide a sound of Public Policy by contacting Ms Amanda Bartolo
foundation in ethics.
at amanda.bartolo@um.edu.mt
1
GROWING TOGETHER
Farewell Dinner for
Amanda Bartolo
Full-time and part-time members of the academic staff at the
Department of Public Policy met for a dinnner in Mdina in June to say
farewell to the Department's secretary Amanda Bartolo who is leaving this
summer. She is expecting her first baby and will be greatly missed. On
behalf of the academic staff, the editor of this newsletter wishes her all
the best for the future
Our Vision: To make leaders out of ordinary people.
Our Mission:
Our Goals:
To empower students and policy practitioners to take leadership positions
by acquiring cutting-edge competencies in the fields of political, economic
and social development through quality education, knowledge creation
and research design.
To provide students, administrators, managers and others who participate in public
affairs with challenging leadership development opportunities in private/public
management and policy making.
To equip under-graduate and post-graduate students of all ages with competencies
that will improve the quality of policy formulation and decision-making in
governmental, non-governmental and business organisations, locally and abroad.
To draw academia, business and government into mutually beneficial relationships
that contribute to good governance, national competitiveness and social stability.
To train scholars and researchers who can contribute to the development of the
policy science.
Newsletter Editor:
Robert Micallef, Resident Academic at the Department of Public Policy
Faculty of Economics, Management and Accountancy, University of Malta
robert.micallef@um.edu.mt