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Malta

5. Participation

5.10 Current debates and reforms

Last update: 24 March 2025

 

Forthcoming Policy Development

The government is planning to introduce a "youth proofing" system to ensure that new legislation, policies, and strategies are reviewed by representatives of young people and those working with and for young people. This initiative aims to assess how proposed policies will impact young people and to include youth voices in decision-making processes. The youth proofing system is outlined as one of the key actions under Strategic Goal 8 of the National Youth Policy Towards 2030

A dedicated committee has been formed to design the mechanism for youth proofing. This committee includes representatives from various youth councils, including the National Youth Council KNZ and Catholic Youth Councils, as well as youth workers and representatives from Aġenzija Żgħażagħ. Their objective is to develop a structured approach that ensures the perspectives and opinions of young people are actively considered in the policymaking process. Through this system, young people will have a formal platform to express their views on diverse policy issues, ensuring that their concerns and insights are taken into account before decisions are made. 

The youth proofing system is expected to be implemented in late 2025. It is being spearheaded by the Ministry for Justice as part of the Open Government initiative, with the support of the Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research, and Innovation. This collaborative effort highlights the government's commitment to fostering youth participation and promoting transparent, inclusive governance. 

The initiative aligns with broader efforts to strengthen democratic engagement and to empower young people as active citizens. By involving youth representatives directly in policy evaluation, the government aims to bridge the gap between policymakers and young people, fostering a more inclusive and responsive policy environment. The youth proofing system also seeks to enhance the quality and relevance of policies by incorporating the lived experiences and perspectives of young people from diverse backgrounds. 

In practice, the system will involve regular consultations with youth representatives, providing them with the opportunity to review and provide feedback on proposed legislation and policies. This process will be supported by youth workers and relevant agencies to ensure that young people are equipped with the necessary information and resources to engage effectively. The system will also prioritize transparency, with mechanisms in place to document and communicate how youth input influences policy outcomes. 

 

Ongoing Debate

No current debates withing government structures, however a debate that has been going around in the wider youth field is the possibility to include age quotas in parliament to ensure a wider representation of young people in the House of Representatives, particularly following the introduction of the gender quota for women.