Thanks to all who supported the Conference
which was a Great Success
The Malta Criminology Association (MACA) held its National Crime Conference entitled "Criminality in Small States" on the 23rd April 2010 at the New Dolmen Hotel.
The Conference was aimed at bringing together experts in the criminology field with the aim of presenting the crime situations of small states particularly focusing on islands. A considerable number of papers had been received and the topics have been compiled in the attached Conference programme. Over 20 presentations and speeches were delivered.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those 100plus experts who attended this conference which covered a wide range of topics ranging from cybercrime to criminological realities as well as innovative work being done in the different crime-related disciplines.
The conference was supported by the Institute of Criminology at the University of Malta (www.um.edu.mt/criminology) which is also launching it's Masters programme for 2010-2011.
Thanks goes to the Conference official sponsor - Alberta (www.alberta.com.mt)
Draft Programme
The official sponsor of the conference was Alberta
The White Paper on Restorative Justice was launched and MACA forwarded its input to the processt.
In February 2009 the Ministry for Justice and Home Affairs launched a white paper on restorative justice. The aim of this white paper is to introduce the concept of restorative justice/mediation in the criminal justice process and to introduce parole.
Date: Friday 12th December 2008
Time: 18:30 - 20:00
Venue: University of Malta
Gateway Building - Hall E
The Malta Criminology Association (MACA) was launched on the 12th December 2008 bringing to fruition a number of year’s work aimed at creating a forum where the criminology disciplines can exchange and disseminate information, raise awareness of the value of criminology and promote professionalism in the discipline
The launch was aimed at all criminology and related-professionals, interested parties, agencies that are effected by crime and that are crucial to the study of, policy-making, decision-making, operation in and implementation of security-related activities.
In a packed session composed of professionals in the crime-related fields, amongst them distinguished guests as are Judges, Magistrates, lawyers, probation officers, criminologists, security agencies’ representatives, support agencies, police officers, academics and students, the launch focused on introducing the association, the process involved as well as reviewing the long-term aims for criminology in Malta.
The speakers included Dr. Sandra Scicluna, Mr. Ray Zammit, Dr. Saviour Formosa, Mr. Trevor Calafato and two guests: Dr. Michael Falzon Shadow Minister for Justice and Home Affairs PL and Mr. Mario Caruana Director General who was representing the Minister for Justice and Home Affairs.
The speakers presented an overview of the processes that the association will work on: mainly to promote realistic perceptions of crime in Malta, act as a catalyst and focal point for debate and research, represent the varied interests of the wider Criminology community, create a network covering the public and private sectors, be proactive on national strategy and policies, expose Maltese criminologists to European and international initiatives and most importantly to promote a professional warranting system for criminologists.
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Dr. Scicluna and Mr. Zammit gave an overview of the past and present issues in crime and its reduction, highlighting a note on the first Maltese criminologist; Joseph Semini.
Dr. Formosa gave an overview of crime in the Maltese Islands as well as the why and how of a creating a Criminology Association in Malta.
Mr. Trevor Calafato gave an overview of the statute drafted for the Association.
Mr. Caruana commended the initiative to bring together all professionals in a holistic manner that helps create a forum to promote the criminology profession and widen linkages with the tightly-fit professions in the diverse fields impacting on or of crime. He also praised the initiative for MACA to serve as an active pool for feedback on policy and also to proactively promote policy change and serve as a knowledge-pool to the drafting of white papers and legislation at local, national and international levels. This will serve as a basis for the creating synergy with all agencies in providing strategies to the spreading of security for the citizens as well as serving as a base for the synergy between policy makers and decision makers.
Dr. Falzon commended the initiative to bring together all professionals facing the ever changing aspects of crime, particularly in striving to engage and inform the professionals, decision-makers and public on the different modes that crime effects social capital and social cohesion. He stressed the fact that MACA will enable the spread of knowledge and remove the perceived and real distance between the forces and the specialists in their fields through the use of high-end systems and on-the ground experts as well as persons at administrative levels from Local Councils to National Government. Most importantly Dr. Falzon encouraged all stakeholders to enable a real debate on what constitutes crime and also to serve as an active pool for feedback on policy and also to proactively promote policy change.
All professionals and crime-reduction related individuals are urged to contact MACA on info@macamalta.org or to visit the site www.macamalta.org
