This is especially important in Malta where neurological research makes up a significant proportion of the University’s scientific research output. With this in mind, MNSS was created to further generate interest in this field by helping students understand core concepts while simultaneously increasing awareness about neurological disorders with the general public.  

The Aims of MNSS

MNSS aims to disseminate information through regular posts on various aspects of the brain such as its normal functioning and changes during disease, on their social media platforms. These posts will be targeted towards both the public as well as students, to ensure everyone can learn while fulfilling society’s primary goals.

The organization also aims to host events in the foreseeable future to continue to grow as an organization as well as to achieve the previous aims which will be something to look out for. Ultimately, as the society develops, MNSS aims to be a fundamental resource to students at various stages of their education to get a better understanding and skills in the inner workings of the world’s most complicated system.

Prospective Executive Team

Currently, the prospective executive team consists of:

Prospective President: Andrea Cuschieri

Prospective Vice President: Gabriel Pisani

Prospective Treasurer: Ruben Chircop,

prospective research and educational officer: Matteo Vella

prospective public relations officer: Desiree Sant

Interested ? Then Join us !

The prospective executive team is excited to welcome students to join MNSS. Students who wish to become members of MNSS must be pursuing a course under the auspices of the Faculty for Medicine and Surgery by filling in the following form https://forms.gle/s5MGoK7Jd2ZpcZoG6 .

Students’ outside the faculty will still be able to follow MNSS organized activities, and stay up to date on neuro-related research through MNSS’ social media platforms. Students who wish to become members and have a particular drive towards neurological sciences are also encouraged to consider taking on one of the remaining executive roles in MNSS.

For more details feel free to contact MNSS through any of the following contacts:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MNSSofficial

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mnss_official/

Email: mnss.exec@gmail.com

The Third Eye Wishes MNSS best of luck in their journey as Students’ society!

For Further Campus News click here!

The post Malta Neurological Students’ Society Emerges! appeared first on The Third Eye.

KSU is launching the second phase of its campaign “Democracy Derailed?” this Saturday the 11th of December at The Notch, Urban Valley Hotel! The first Phase was launched by the KSU on August 28, 2021. It is aimed to pinpoint and discuss the state of Democracy and the Rule of Law in Malta. You can find more information about how the first phase went here.

What is “Democracy Derailed?”

Democracy Derailed? is an Erasmus+ project aimed at engaging youths through a number of conferences, in order to get their perspective and proposals on the state of democracy in Malta. This project is divided into three main themes: Media and Freedom of Speech, Partisan Politics, and Civic Education & Active Citizenship.

This project is open to all youths aged between 17 and 30. Participants will be entitled to a certificate on the attendance of at least two activities while participating University of Malta students will be entitled to DegreePlus recognition upon attending at least two activities. 

What are the panel topics?

KSU have announced two panel topics so far. The first panel topic being: Civic Education & Active Citizenship and the second panel topic is Activism vs Representation.

In the first panel topic given the imminence of a General Election election, with 16 & 17 year olds forming part of the electorate for the first time, KSU hopes to emphasise the importance of civic education amongst youths. The aim is to have a fruitful discussion on the importance of implementing civic education into syllabi as effectively and holistically as possible.

In the second panel topic, the KSU hopes to emphasise the importance of representation and activism in society. The aim is to have a fruitful discussion on the difference and distinctions between representation and activism and why they are both important for the functioning of our democracy.

Announced Speakers so far

The KSU has announced Five different speakers so far. Here is a brief description of the announced speakers:

Dr. Francis Fabri:

Dr. Franics Fabri is currently serving as Permanent Secretary at the Ministry for Education. Dr. Fabri was awarded his doctorate in education from the Institute of Education, the University of London after completing Masters’s and Bachelor’s programs at the University of Malta. His areas of specialization include educational leadership, school networks and networking, professional training and development, strategy development, and implementation. Furthermore, He has published and presented in these areas both at national and international conferences.

Mr.Francesco Grech:

Francesco Grech is a 29 year old author, composer, and educator. He finalised his studies at the University of Malta and Rome graduating with two Masters in Literature, and Arts and Culture Management. He is also the co-founder of Għawdix and believes that we need more youthful voices in activism and politics. Currently, he is the Social media officer of Għawdix.

Mr. Clayton Mercieca:

Clayton Mercieca (he\him) is currently the President of Allied Rainbow Communities and Coordinator of Malta Pride. With his educational background in social work and having been trained as a creative thinker, Clayton is combining his years of activism in citizen participation, striving for equality and social justice to create communities that foster a true sense of belonging and empowerment here in Malta.

Ms Bernie Mizzi:

Principal for over 40 years at Chiswick House School and St. Martin’s College – an all-through Independent School in Malta offering educational programs (formal and informal) to children aged 2 to 18. She is also Co-founder of EC English, an international language school, and more recently Founder Trustee and Administrator of The Storm Petrel Foundation – A non-profit voluntary organisation promoting art, literature, and popular culture.

Mr. Jason Zammit:

Jason is a youth worker by profession. He is a Youth and Community Studies graduate and holds a Masters in Public Policy. In 2011 Jason joined Agenzija Zghazagh where he is currently enrolled as a Senior Manager – Research, Strategy, and Youth Policy Implementation. His main responsibility is to ensure a seamless youth service within the framework of the National Youth Policy. He also undertakes representational duties in Malta and the EU in pursuit of National Youth Policy objectives. Jason is a visiting lecturer in the Department of Public Policy at the University of Malta.

How to register for the event?

The event will be taking place on Saturday 11th December at 09:30 at Urban Valley Hotel, San Gwann. Applicants must present a Vaccination Certificate upon entry. All COVID-19 Measures in place will be adhered to. Those interested in attending must apply through the link: 
https://bit.ly/3xiqToi

University of Malta students will be entitled to DegreePlus recognition upon attending at least two activities. 

For updates on the event itself please follow the event facebook post here!

For more KSU related news click here!

The post “Democracy Derailed?” Phase Two! What we know so far | KSU appeared first on The Third Eye.

Written By Rafel Grima, a member of Moviment Graffitti, on politics

Does a fish in the ocean know that it is swimming in water? Or is it so used to its surroundings that it hardly knows better? It is a similar situation with our broken political system. Most of us are so used to it, we hardly notice the various ways in which Malta has a democratic deficit. 

That is just the point, however. The majority of people can want something, and not get it. Our quality of life can be under siege. Regardless of which of the two main political parties are in power, it seems that nothing ever changes. The reason why is simple. 

It is hard enough fighting corruption when it is illegal; but what can one do when a form of legal bribery is widespread and accepted?

That is to say, we live in a political system where our political parties are critically dependent upon donations from big businesses. These businessmen are not donating money to political parties out of kindness. It is because they expect a return on their investment. 

In exchange for these donations, our politicians change legislation. They may even go as far as to instruct their appointees in our institutions, such as the Planning Authority, to bend policies and interpret them in a certain way to favour these elites, as money pays for influence which in turn generates more money. 

In practice, it means that while the majority of people want effective, forward-looking planning and infrastructure and a better environment, the country instead keeps spiralling further down the rabbit hole of overdevelopment. This is because a few supremely powerful people are calling the shots, with zero accountability.

If a businessman gives money to an individual politician to call in favours, we call it corruption. When he does the exact same thing with a political party, we call it a donation. Malta’s political system is deeply broken. Unfortunately, there is little will to fix it because the country’s elites have a financial interest in the status quo continuing. 

It does not have to be this way, however. There are many countries that have other party financing models, which Malta can look into – not to simply copy other countries, but to take best practices from them. 

Resolving the country’s broken party financing laws is in everybody’s interest, including in the interests of the major parties. This is because ultimately, not even politicians want to be at the mercy of a few wealthy business people. 

Power should rest with the people, not with the richest of the rich. The political parties can actually free themselves from these influences, and act in accordance with principles, ideology and the common good. Reforming party financing laws means that Parliament is no longer an auction house for business people to buy out our politicians. It means giving political parties financial independence.

Event Details

It is time that Malta starts talking about how to take money out of local politics, as a first step towards a fairer democracy. That is what we will be doing at ‘Can We Take Money Out of Maltese Politics?’, hosted in collaboration with KSU. 

Held on Wednesday 1^st December during DegreePlus hours, starting at 12:15, the event will take place at the KSU Common Room. It will begin with a presentation on the Maltese electorate’s thoughts on the subject, followed by a discussion with Prof. Edward Warrington, from the Department of Public Policy, and Dr Michael Briguglio, from the Department of Sociology. 

You can find the event details including the link to the live stream of the event here!

You also find other articles about Politics here!

The post Can we take money out of Maltese politics? | Moviment Graffitti appeared first on The Third Eye.

Written by Veronika Sytnyk

Being a young person and a foreigner, many get baffled when they find out about my involvement in the educational and political spheres.

It is as though coming from another country should make me care less about this one, or that at my age, I should be enjoying life and going out with friends instead of spending my days in meetings and head stuck in books or news articles. Nevertheless, contrary to the popular presumption, the secret is that I enjoy every bit of it.

For the past few years, I have been involved in a variety of initiatives, from non-formal school projects to public speaking workshops to European Parliament simulations. These experiences taught me how to be more confident in myself and around others. They instilled the values of hard work and dedication and made me grow in my efficiency. But most of all, it is because of such activities that I discovered that I was not alone in my curiosity and love for learning. It is because of these projects, workshops and simulations that today I have the privilege of being part of an outstanding team of young people that I am proud to call my friends, the National Youth Council (KNŻ).

The KNŻ Journey

It was at the beginning of 2021 that I decided to contest for the KNŻ elections. It was new and exciting because although I had a load of participation certificates in a variety of courses, I had zero experience in a youth organisation. Nevertheless, months later, I am now proudly creating initiatives for individuals like me in order to encourage them to take an interest in the activities that I know will help them become a better version of themselves. I know without the shadow of a doubt that were it not for the leaps I took each time to get out of my comfort zone to apply for an opportunity that I knew would help me grow further, I would not be a youth activist today.

So, my message to all of you reading this piece is this: Do not underestimate your power to overcome barriers, speak up and get noticed.

Activism revolves around action, however small it may be. Any and all contributions are the key to continuing the chain of change that our community so desperately needs, and Youth Day is your friendly reminder to do just that: take the leap.

The post Take The Leap Towards Youth Activism | KNŻ appeared first on The Third Eye.