MALTA

YOUTH POLICY DEVELOPMENT

Implementation of the National Youth Policy

Following the review process by the Council of Europe, the Youth Section - Malta has this year embarked on a three-year National Youth Policy implementation process. The Priority areas are: Education, Health, Employment, Culture, Environment, Leisure, Participation, Mobility, Information, Communications and Technology, and Youth at Risk. We have adopted a cross-sectorial approach thus creating synergy between institutions as recommended by the Review Report. We are coordinating with other Ministries which are responsible for these priority areas in order to ensure that they Youth Issues on top of their agenda.

Various meetings have been held and others being planned with the following institutions so that they be main stake holders in the implementation of our National Youth Policy: Health Promotion; Malta Council for Culture and the Arts; Ministry for Rural Affairs and the Environment; Nature Trust (Malta); Marine Life Care Group; Young Nature Friends; Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna; Din l-Art Helwa; The Malta Ecological Foundation; Birdlife Malta; Heritage Malta; GWU; and UHM. A meeting was held and the following ministries were invited to participate: Education, Youth and Employment; Tourism and Culture; Gozo; Health, the Elderly and Community Services; Information Technology and Investment; Rural Affairs and the Environment; Family and Social Solidarity.

Distribution of the Youth Info Handbook 2004
A Youth Info Handbook 2004 has been printed, this incorporates the National Youth Policy, information that is pertinent to young people such as educational courses available, getting a job, and information about Health Care. This booklet was distributed to all NGOs, Government organizations and in areas that are meeting points for young people in general.

Youth Empowerment Programme

The Youth Empowerment Programme (YEP) is a community-based youth interactive work, designed and supported by the Youth Section to facilitate networking and offer youth workers the possibility to implement the National Youth Policy at grass roots level. Driven by the needs and requirements highlighted in the National Youth Policy (2004), YEP is a two-year project programme (renewable for a period to be agreed by both parties) and is governed by a signed agreement between two parties, the Ministry and the Local Council. YEP follows a dynamic philosophy based on the local social needs, and its main objective is that of rendering a professional service to young people.

Seven youth empowerment centres have been newly established across the island and these are crucial in meeting the specific needs of young people and youth organizations at local level.

A meeting is held every two months with all youth workers engaged in the programme to get feed-back and offer them support.

Youth Information Centre – MCAST

The Youth Section in collaboration with MCAST have this year embarked in a joint venture specifically aimed at relaying information to vulnerable young people. This is the first centre that deals specifically in relaying information about everything that deals with young people , focusing more on the informal educational aspect. It operates in such a way to provide a maximum of choice and promotes “accessibility”. The centre which opened its doors in September this year provides Information, Advice and Advocacy, Support Work and Counseling.

youth@gov.mt service
The Youth Section renders its service of e-information and e-networking through this medium. A campaign is being planned to further publicize this email address and inform young people of the benefits accessible through this medium.

Youth Monthly Newsletter
The Youth Section Team, in contact with various youth organisations, through this medium keeps young people abreast of initiatives and programmes that elicit their participation, collaboration and networking on a monthly basis through this medium. A copy is being attached.

May we remind that this intensive year of policy implementation is the result of the recommendations by the Review Policy team that was here in Malta last year.

Adrian Tonna