Migration, in all its complexity continues to frame our everyday life experiences, communities, politics, policies and media headlines. The Platform for Migration at the University of Malta is a trans-faculty, inter-disciplinary hub which brings together academics, researchers and students, as well as civil society, NGOs, policy makers, and anyone interested in migration to share knowledge, discuss and use research findings to improve our community. In doing so, research does not simply serve as an academic exercise but can also inform debate, policy and practice.
Specifically with this aim in mind, the Platform organised its’ annual event on 6 December, entitled “UM research on Migration 2024: Theory, practice and beyond”.
Three PhD researches were showcased, creating a space for sharing and dissemination of knowledge. The Chair of the Platform, Prof. Maria Pisani opened the conference.
Dr Christie Hili, looked into the Perinatal Health and the lived experience of Sub-Saharan and Eastern European Migrant women in Malta. Dr Rita Pace Parascandalo and Professor Jean Calleja-Agius joined the panel discussion moderated by Professor Helen Grech, bringing in their Obstetrics and Gynecology expertise. The discussion outlined how cultural differences are impacting the perinatal care, begging for greater research in the area. The dire need of medically pertinent interpreters in the delivery suite was also discussed. It was also recommended that health is included as an integral part of the new integration policy.
The second research was presented by Dr Rebecca Vella Muskat who looked at hate-speech, through comments in the below-the-line Times of Malta newspaper data. Dr Vella Muskat mentioned how hate-speech was not always clearly identifiable or perceived as such. The panel discussed how such comments seem to have become normalised over time and how therefore, more awareness and education, as well as a change in laws against hate-speech is needed. The panel was moderated by Dr Sarah Grech and included Mr Matthew Vella (journalist) and Mr Alexander Tortell (Human Rights Directorate).
The final research was presented by Ms Teresa Quadt who assessed the potential categorisation of migration policies and ensuing actions as crimes under international law based on their systematicity and severity, in conjunction with the existing state of impunity for such policies and actions. Moderated by Professor Maria Pisani, and joined by Professor Omar Grech and Dr Neil Falzon (Aditus), the panel debated the need to re-imagine crimes against humanity to include migration policies, also in light of the over 30,000 deaths in the Mediterranean since 2014. Despite being controversial, this reframing could be helpful to end impunity and to assist lawyers and NGOs to raise greater awareness about the impact of current policies on migrants' lives.
The event was closed off with concluding remarks by the Platform coordinator Professor Rose Marie Azzopardi.
The event was organised by Platform for Migration with the assistance of staff from the Faculty for Social Wellbeing, and sponsored by the Department of Industrial Relations.
