The density of traffic and  vehicles in urban settings has  started to erode the quality of life of urban dwellers because the social and recreational functions of streets  have become impaired by heavy traffic.
Local councils are best placed to provide healthier and better living conditions and safe infrastructure for their communities. In this report (which arose out of an informal discussion with the Sliema mayor) suggestions are made as to how councils might make  the road environment in their community healthier, more pedestrian friendly and safer for children by creating conditions that, as far as possible,  encourage cycling and walking, rather than using a car.

The report addresses the key question: 'What must we do to reduce pollution from excessive burning of fossil fuel and to enhance Malta's energy security?' The report highlights the urgent need to reduce Malta's dependence on fossil fuel for electricity generation since this, together with traffic, is a major source of pollution as well as of carbon emissions. It also examines the need for energy generation from renewable or alternative sources of energy in conjunction with energy conservation matters.

Written by Lead Author George Debono, it is a comprehensive and wide-ranging report which is divided into four parts. Part I deals with the exploitation of renewable and alternative energy sources and energy conservation. Part II is devoted to the reduction of urban air pollution caused by road transport. Part III is on the promotion of bicycle use and Part IV shows the effects of air pollution on health. The report addresses the key question: 'What must we do to reduce pollution from excessive burning of fossil fuel and to enhance Malta's energy security?' The report highlights the urgent need to reduce Malta's dependence on fossil fuel for electricity generation since this, together with traffic, is a major source of pollution as well as of carbon emissions. It also examines the need for energy generation from renewable or alternative sources of energy in conjunction with energy conservation matters.

This report discusses the main challenges Malta is facing in managing irregular boat migration from the African continent. The report focuses on the following main areas of Malta’s immigration policy: detention policy, integration policy, return and readmission policy, EU burden-sharing, maritime patrols, and development cooperation as a means of addressing the root causes of migration. In all these areas, the report sets forth recommendations with a view to improving the country’s current policies.

The report “For Better, For Worse : Re-Marriage After Legal Separation”, sets out to be objective, balanced, impartial and free from prejudice. It has sought solutions to the problems of broken marriages in Malta which are just, fair, equitable and workable both for the individual and, in-so-far as practicable, for the common good of today’s society. It accepts that it is up to society to make the decision on divorce and that the ultimate decision on the best way forward should rest with the government and our law-makers in Parliament, who have the duty to act in the best interests of society as a whole. The report has In a comprehensive and balanced assessment of the state of marriage in Malta, the public policy think-tank has recommended that re-marriage after legal separation and civil dissolution should be permitted in Maltaand that legislation should be introduced to this effect.

In a detailed examination of the costs ofMalta’s social security system and welfare state, the report has drawn stark attention to the unaffordability and unsustainability of current plans. It concludes that there is an urgent need for a national debate addressing Malta’s social security system and that such a reform should be directed , first, at reduction of unnecessary dependence on social security, secondly, at effectiveness in the way of personalised tailor-made services and, thirdly, at greater inter-action with the public, NGOs and the private sector. The report shows that, given its questionable financial sustainability and affordability,Malta’s social security system stands to benefit from a wide-ranging reform. Concerns over its effectiveness in addressing social ills also abound. The report aims to contribute an in-depth assessment of the current circumstances and seeks to stimulate a constructive debate with a view to highlighting areas for improvement. The report also suggests a possible philosophy to guide the formulation of relevant public policies in this field.