1.8 Cross-border cooperation
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Cooperation with European countries
A collaboration between Italy and Malta, the 14th Executive Programme of Cultural Agreement, came into effect in 2014. This collaboration programme promoted cooperation between universities and higher education institutions of culture. The 15th Cultural and Educational Agreement was signed between Malta and Italy, which identified cultural and educational activities and cooperation opportunities for the 2017-2019 period. Both are based on the Cultural Agreement signed in 1967.
International cooperation
In September 2022 the Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs in collaboration with Aġenzija Żgħażagħ organised the 1st Virtual Youth Forum for Maltese Living Abroad with the theme: I want to Connect: Maltese Language, Culture and Identity.
The event was part of the Ministry’s strategy for Malta’s foreign policy and aimed to enhance the vision of a Global Malta amongst young Maltese living abroad. Following messages by the President of Malta, the Prime Minister and the Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade respectively, young Maltese participants from around the world were invited to share their ideas and aspirations about the future of Malta in 3 breakout sessions.
Young Maltese people from the diaspora, living in places such as the United States, Japan, Turkey, Australia and Europe had the opportunity to engage with each other and with youth workers in a number of sessions that facilitated a connection with their Maltese heritage.
Following this first initiative the Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs is in discussion to start holding this meeting annually. This should be creating the opportunity for Maltese young people living in Malta and those living abroad to interact.
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Malta and Libya in the field of Youth in 2023.
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Malta and United Arab Emirates in the field of Youth and Sports in 2023 for a period of 5 years.
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Malta and Ghana in the field of Youth and Sports in 2023 for a period of 5 years.
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Malta and Qatar in the field of Youth and Sports in 2021 for a period of 5 years.
Aġenzija Żgħażagħ represents Malta on the Council of Europe European Steering Committee for Youth (CDEJ) which coordinates and promotes youth related issues among Member States and where the policy focus is on young people's access to fundamental human and social rights. In 2025 Malta will assume the Presidency of the Council of Europe and through Aġenzija Żgħażagħ, EUPA, and EU-Council of Europe Youth Partnership, will be hosting the 4th European Youth Work Convention. The Convention, entitled ‘Youth Work Xcelarate’ will be held from 27 to 30 May 2025. The convention is held every five years since 2010, and serves as a key platform for youth workers, policymakers, and researchers to advance the European Youth Work Agenda and ensure that youth work is recognised as a vital sector in policy and practice. This convention will serve as a forum for meaningful dialogue and action to recognise youth work as an integral part of democratic societies, validate youth work beyond formal education, secure sustainable funding to ensure its long-term impact and empower youth workers with the tools and recognition they deserve.
During its Presidency of Council of Europe, Malta will also host the 10th Council of Europe Ministerial Conference on Youth in October 2025. A Group of Senior Officials launched the preparation of the 10th Conference of Ministers responsible for Youth which will take place from 8 to 9 October 2025 in Malta under the Maltese Presidency. The Group was established by the European Steering Committee for Youth (CDEJ) which is the body responsible for the preparation of the Conference, to ensure firstly the successful planning, organisation, and execution of the 10th Ministerial Conference on Youth, aligning with the terms of reference and objectives of the CDEJ and the inherent features of the co-management system. Senior officials from a dozen member States will ensure that the Conference reinvigorates, at the highest political level, the development, updating and scaling of youth policies. The conference will identify priorities of member States, and guide the Council of Europe's youth policy field for the coming years.
Malta is represented by Aġenzija Żgħażagħ in its cooperation with the Partnership between European Commission and the Council of Europe. The partnership results in seminars and projects aiming to promote European cooperation in the youth field. Aġenzija Żgħażagħ also contributes to the Partnership's Youth Knowledge publication about the history of youth work in Europe as well as works with the European Knowledge Centre for Youth Policy (EKCYP) in building the research base on youth-related issues.
Aġenzija Żgħażagħ represents Malta in cooperation initiatives under the Commonwealth Youth Programme and its strategic policy framework, the Commonwealth Youth Civil Activism Network and initiatives to professionalise the youth work sector.
Aġenzija Żgħażagħ is a member of the European Youth Information and Counselling Agency (ERYICA). ERYICA is an independent, European organisation gathering 42 national and regional youth information coordinating bodies present in 26 countries.
Aġenzija Żgħażagħ is a member of the European Youth Card Association which comprises over 50 member organisations in over 40 countries across Europe. Over 7 million young people make use of the card annually. Karta Żgħażagħ is available for free in Malta to young people aged from 13 to 30 years and offers discounts on a wide range of products and services relating to culture, travel, accommodation, shopping and other services that are of interest to young people.