Islands and Small States Institute - University of Malta

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Islands and Small States Institute - University of Malta

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 Internation

al Studies, Valletta. In 1993, the Programme was restructured as an Institute with the principal aim of enabling the organisation to offer academic courses.

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

06/08/2026

This article examines the historical evolution of the 🇵🇷 Puerto Rico status debate, the outcomes of the seven status plebiscites, the claim of a pro-statehood mandate, and the conditions and alternatives needed to move forward in the resolution of the status question.

As Puerto Rican national pride rises amid growing anti-Hispanic sentiment in the US mainland, the status question lingers, and the claim of a pro-statehood mandate lacks substantive legitimacy or statistical electoral validity.

👉 um.edu.mt/l/SjfaY

Stefano Moncada | Godfrey Baldacchino | Lino Briguglio

04/08/2026

📚 Book review of "Multidimensional threats and regional responses to Caribbean security."

The book addresses important questions about security studies in contexts and argues about the need for Caribbean-specific security frameworks.

Chapter 4 stands out as the strongest element of the book. It contributes to a better understanding of health security in 🇬🇩 Grenada.

👉 um.edu.mt/l/51Cjx

Stefano Moncada | Godfrey Baldacchino | Lino Briguglio

30/07/2026

A comparison of recent referendums in 🇳🇨 New Caledonia and 🇵🇷 Puerto Rico, and prospective votes in 🇬🇺 Guam and the 🇻🇮 US Virgin Islands.

Referendum campaigns are highly charged and polarised, marked by clear deficiencies in the constitutional framework and practice, and the absence of effective and neutral voter education - both being common problems.

👉 um.edu.mt/l/IKzG8

Stefano Moncada | Godfrey Baldacchino | Lino Briguglio

28/07/2026

📚 Book review of "Guernsey: How we live together." 🇬🇬

A thought-provoking and well-researched book which also contributes to the growing volume of literature on the problems of governance in small states - and it does what it says in the title.

Politicians, leading officials and others who wish to contribute to addressing the issues that Guernsey faces would be well advised to read this book.

👉 um.edu.mt/l/o7PIU

Stefano Moncada | Godfrey Baldacchino | Lino Briguglio

23/07/2026

Despite a sequence of referenda, the core issues in Kanaky-New Caledonia 🇳🇨 remained unresolved with the failure of leaders to advance an inclusive nation-building process during the 25 years of the Nouméa Agreement.

While it appears evident in the present day that a consensual resolution may be found in an associated state status, such as that of the Cook Islands, it is imperative to invest time in identifying a consensual method to achieve this.

👉 um.edu.mt/l/TM47L

Stefano Moncada | Godfrey Baldacchino | Lino Briguglio

21/07/2026

📚 Book review of "Small states and big powers: Portugal and Iceland’s foreign relations."

are not passive actors but active negotiators who carefully consider the advantages and risks of each relationship, adapting their partnerships as needed.

This book examines how small states select and manage different shelter providers according to their changing political, economic and social needs, rather than considering alliances solely as military or diplomatic cooperation against threats.

👉 um.edu.mt/l/OCVEI

Stefano Moncada

Address

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

Website

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

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