An Economy for the Common Good

Launch of Beyond GDP II: The Hidden Struggles of Third-Country Nationals in Malta

The Justice and Peace Commission of the Archdiocese of Malta has published its latest report, Beyond GDP II: Third-Country Nationals in Malta: Sharing in our economic future or serving labour market interests? The report is released amidst evolving migration policies and an increasing reliance on third-country nationals (TCNs) as a key part of the Maltese economy.

Malta’s unique context — marked by an ageing population, low fertility rates, labour shortages and a drive for higher GDP growth — underscores the indispensable contributions of TCNs… Read more »

Budget does not go far enough to address economic hardships

The Justice and Peace Commission, within the Archdiocese of Malta, welcomes the social measures in Malta’s 2025 Budget, but believes more should be done to secure a dignified standard of living for those facing economic hardships.

The Commission also stresses the need for ongoing improvements to address the broader social needs of vulnerable groups — especially the elderly, homeless, and migrant workers — who face significant barriers daily… Read more »

Awareness is not enough

In Saudi Arabia, over 1,300 pilgrims lost their lives during the hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, when temperatures soared above 50°C. Meanwhile, in the Indian capital of Delhi, the temperature exceeded 40°C for 40 consecutive days. And in Mexico, monkeys are falling dead from trees, after succumbing to heatstroke.

These are just some of the climate-change related tragedies which may have popped up on our screens in the last few weeks… Read more »

Time to reform our energy subsidies

The latest NSO data shows that Malta’s general government debt continued to grow, reaching €9,976.2 million by the end of March. This figure represents 50.4% of the country’s gross domestic product and marks an increase of €726.3 million compared to the first quarter of 2023.

Despite a narrowing deficit, the relentless rise in debt paints a portrait of a generation that squanders its resources, leaving a heavy burden for those yet to come… Read more »

Daniel Darmanin participates in MARE summit

In Malta, the construction industry has been booming. Yet, this growth has come at a significant human cost. This cost has become etched in the country’s consciousness through the Jean Paul Sofia tragedy. But Jean Paul Sofia wasn’t the first and sadly not even the last victim of this sector which we represent.

Data by the NSO revealed that more than half of workplace accidents that happened over the past two years have been related to the construction industry… Read more »

AI dominance: A blessing or a curse?

The Malta group of Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice foundation is pleased to announce an upcoming seminar “AI: A Blessing or a Curse?”, which will be held on the 9th of May 2024 at 6:30 pm at Dar il-Ħanin Samaritan in Santa Venera. This thought-provoking event will bring together leading scholars and practitioners in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to discuss the profound impact of AI on society… Read more »

How fossils fuel war?

The Laudato Si Movement, in partnership with Justice and Peace Europe and Pax Christi International invite you to the European webinar “How fossils fuel war? How to build peace, from Robert Schuman’s Coal and Steel community to a transition towards renewable energies in the European Union” on April 23 from 7:30 to 9pm CET.

Speakers: 

  • Prof. Zbigniew Krysiak, head of the Institute of Schuman Thought
  • Svitlana Romanko, founder and director of the Ukrainian organization Razom We Stand
  • Luca Jahier, former president of the European Economic and Social Committee

As the European Elections are approaching (6-9 June), this webinar will enable Europeans to reflect on their role as Christians in participating in civic and political life, through the figure of Robert Schuman, the Christian founding father of Europe, who committed himself to peace after the Second World War by creating the European Coal and Steel Community (the speaker for this part will be  Prof… Read more »

The ‘Ejja Ejja’ Culture

The Justice and Peace Commission is proposing eight recommendations to authorities and stakeholders in Malta’s construction industry, aiming to enhance safety and fairness for all workers. The Commission urges prompt action to be taken on these recommendations for the well-being of both the workers and society. These recommendations are a result of scientific research conducted by the Commission on health and safety in the Maltese construction sector… Read more »

Restart by focusing on the ‘discarded workers’ – Sr Alessandra Smerilli

Keynote speech by Dr Alessandra Smerilli during the opening night of the conference “The changing world of work – a transversal justice issue”

Work is such an important dimension of being human that not being able to express ourselves through the work of our hands makes us feel that we do not belong in the society in which we live. Work is indeed a means to acquire the necessities of life, but it is at the same time so much more… Read more »

The changing world of work – a transversal justice issue

On the 10th and 11th of November, the Justice and Peace Commission is organising an international workshop on the theme of The changing world of work – a transversal justice issue. This workshop will seek to analyse the different ways in which the world of work is changing in Europe and explore the social and economic consequences of these rapid changes. The plenary meetings and small group workshops planned over these two days will help shed light on the risk to workers’ rights which are being magnified by the evolving nature of work, whilst also giving space to examples of work practices which are respectful of the dignity and rights of workers… Read more »