Islands and Small States Institute - University of Malta

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Islands and Small States Institute - University of Malta

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The Institute promotes research & training on economic, social, cultural, ecological and geographica

The Islands & Small States Institute promotes research and training on economic, social, cultural, ecological and geographical aspects of islands and small states. It also offers postgraduate courses on islands and small states studies. Based at the University of Malta, the institute evolved from the Islands and Small States Programme which had been set up in 1989 at the Foundation for International Studies, Valletta. In 1993, the Programme was restructured as an Institute with the principal aim of enabling the organisation to offer academic courses.

29/10/2026

The referendums in 3 former colonial outposts – Falkland Islands, Malta, and Chagos Archipelago – confirm that transparent referendums are helpful tools for just constitution-making; their absence can perpetuate injustice.

Prioritising the voices and rights of those directly concerned, through context-appropriate participation such as referendums where suitable, offers the best opportunity for legitimate and durable outcomes, but it is not a guarantee.

👉 um.edu.mt/l/KLVLi

Stefano Moncada | Godfrey Baldacchino | Lino Briguglio

27/10/2026

Despite the strong reservations held in the territory before and during the referendum campaign, as a consequence of the outcome of the Brexit referendum, 🇬🇮 Gibraltar now finds itself economically closer to the EU than ever before in its history.

Gibraltar’s relationship with the EU had to be renegotiated by the UK and the EU, including cooperation with the Spanish Government. It remains to be seen if Gibraltar’s new relationship turns out to be more advantageous than the old one.

👉 um.edu.mt/l/6oHeI

Stefano Moncada | Godfrey Baldacchino | Lino Briguglio

26/10/2026

‘Climate Change in the Pacific and Beyond’

A photographic exhibition highlighting both the vulnerability and of and showing examples of how are responding to the crisis

📆 Official opening 4 NOV at 11am
📍 Runs until 12 NOV Library

A collaboration between the Australian High Commission, Malta et Ambassade d'Australie en Tunisie and the Islands and Small States Institute

👉 um.edu.mt/l/obqF4

Stefano Moncada | Charles Galdies

20/10/2026

This article examines the 1967 and 2002 Gibraltar 🇬🇮 sovereignty to assess whether such votes can resolve or ‘normalise’ the status of a colonially contested territory.
Despite differing historical contexts, both referendums were shaped fundamentally by Spain’s longstanding territorial claim and by Gibraltar’s deeply rooted sense of British .
Ultimately, the article suggests that predictable referendum outcomes limit their ability to transform Gibraltar’s constitutional position.

👉 um.edu.mt/l/J00Gh

Stefano Moncada | Godfrey Baldacchino | Lino Briguglio

10/09/2026

This article considers the role, impact, and failings of Referendums in 🇯🇪 Jersey.

Clearly, Island institutions and governance are something that matters at least to Island insiders. However, the concern of Island Insiders with their institutions is not reflected in the electorate, in particular recent immigrants, many of whom are just not interested in the Island’s unusually complex institutions, contributing to low participation in elections and Referendums.

👉 um.edu.mt/l/fhPMT

Stefano Moncada | Godfrey Baldacchino | Lino Briguglio

07/09/2026

⬇️ Top-down climate policy often overlooks the real experts on the front lines: local communities and small business owners. 🌿

Join us on 11 September for an insightful discussion on how local knowledge, livelihoods, and MSMEs can build lasting climate resilience in Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

📅 Date: 11 September 2026
📍 Location: Online via Zoom
🖋️ Save your spot: https://lnkd.in/e_GihywA

27/08/2026

This article explores the three questions that were set in legislation to coincide with the 2025 general election in the 🇰🇾 Cayman Islands.

The representational institution of the Parliament was content to allow these issues to be considered by the electorate using a referendum as a tool of direct democracy.

👉 um.edu.mt/l/PkRNC

Stefano Moncada | Godfrey Baldacchino | Lino Briguglio

26/08/2026

🌍 How can climate policy better recognise and support locally grounded adaptation in Small Island Developing States?

Join us for Building Climate Resilience from the Ground Up: Local Knowledge, Livelihoods and MSMEs in SIDS.

Drawing on research from Rodrigues Island, Mauritius, Guyana and the wider Caribbean Community, speakers .mattis.7 and Perrine Marie Stephania will explore how local knowledge, livelihoods and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises contribute to climate resilience—and how policy can better support them.

📅 11 September 2026
💻 Online via Zoom
🕒 The registration page displays the time in your local time zone.

Register here:
https://universityofmalta.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_E9BOOiycQYOwt_1-AbWZmw #/registration

13/08/2026

Previous attempts at constitution-making in the 🇻🇮 USVI have been rejected on two fronts: either by the electorate (in referendums held in 1979 and 1981) or by the US Congress (2010).

In view of the 2027 referendum, why did previous attempts not result in a constitution? Which barriers were the cause?
A successful ratification of a constitution in the USVI ultimately depends on overcoming the dual challenge of gaining the support from both their own electorate and the US Congress.

👉 um.edu.mt/l/CAP7e

Stefano Moncada | Godfrey Baldacchino | Lino Briguglio

11/08/2026

📚 Book review of "Development and Stabilization in Small Open Economies: Theories and Evidence from Caribbean Experience"

A seminal piece of work for economists working on open economies of

The book challenges economic orthodoxy and the policy prescriptions flowing from the dominant economic models, which do not capture some of the salient features of SOEs. The author achieves the necessary adaptation of orthodox models and frameworks, while using a rigorous approach that stands up to scrutiny.

👉 um.edu.mt/l/8PzV2

Stefano Moncada | Godfrey Baldacchino | Lino Briguglio

Address

Ġużé Cassar Pullicino Building, University Of Malta
Msida
MSD")*)

Website

http://www.um.edu.mt/islands/

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