SETTING UP OF THE PROFESSIONAL CENTRE The idea to set up a professional centre in Malta where the various professions could meet and through various activities create the climate necessary for the development of an inter-disciplinary approach to their work was first aired in 1969 by Mr Roger Degiorgio, an eminent architect, when he mentioned this idea to Mr John Chadwick, Director of the Commonwealth Foundation, who gave immediate support to this concept. The notion was discussed with the various professional associations on the island and in 1970 seven professional organizations grouped together to become the Malta Federation which was formally constituted on the 19th February 1971, when the first official meeting was held. The Council of the Federation immediately started looking for suitable accommodation and with the assistance of the Commonwealth Foundation, in the form of a substantial grant towards the cost of setting up a professional centre in Malta, the Council managed to acquire the shell of freehold premises which had been converted into a very well equipped and modern Centre. The Centre was formally opened on the 27th October 1973, by the Director of the Commonwealth Foundation, Mr John Chadwick. Since then the federated members increased, and the Paceville premises became small for the needs of the Federation. The seat was moved to Pembroke on the 17th February 1993. As the premises in Pembroke was on lease, the Council of the Federation did not cease looking for premises which could be purchased. Suitable premises were found in Sliema Road, Gzira and the Federation moved to the premises on the 30th March 2000. The Malta Federation of Professional Bodies changed its nomenclature to Malta Federation of Professional Associations at an Annual General Meeting held on the 29th September 1999. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES The Malta Federation of Professional Associations was set up to create the climate necessary for the development of an interdisciplinary approach to their work. Its aims and objectives are: the promotion of the professions; the maintenance of professional standards; the protection of professional rights and privileges; the promotion of inter-professional relationships; to contribute towards the advancement of the interests of society; to take any appropriate measures to fulfill the above aims and objectives. CURRENT PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP AND CRITERIA THEREFOR: The founder members of the Federation were: Chamber of Architects & Civil Engineers – constituted in 1920 Dental Association of Malta – constituted in 1946 Economic Society of Malta – constituted in 1970 Graduate Teachers Association – constituted in 1969 Malta Association of Electrical Engineers – constituted in 1969 Malta Institute of Accountants – constituted in 1942 Medical Association of Malta – constituted in 1954 Other associations that joined later were: Professional Librarians of Malta Association – constituted in 1972 Malta Chamber of Pharmacists – constituted in 1900 The Malta Association of Electrical Engineers had joined with other engineering disciplines and the Chamber of Professional Engineers was created. The Economic Society of Malta, the Graduate Teachers Association and the Professional Librarians of Malta Associations were dissolved. Other associations that joined the Federation are: Association of Speech-Language Pathologists Association of Maltese Psychologists Malta Association of Social Workers Maltese Association of Youthworkers Malta Veterinary AssociationMalta Association of Professional Conservators and RestorersSociety of Medical RadiographersMalta Association of Physiotherapists The present members of the Federation are: Association of Speech-Language Pathologists Chamber of Engineers Dental Association of Malta Kamra tal-Periti Malta Institute of Accountants Malta Association of Professional Conservators and Restorers Malta Chamber of Pharmacists Maltese Association of Youthworkers Maltese Association of Psychologists Maltese Association of Social Workers Medical Association of Malta Malta Veterinary Association Society of Medical RadiographersMalta Association of Physiotherapists Criteria for membership to the Federation is based on whether the applicant body is an association of professionals or not as defined in the statute of the Federation, as shown hereunder. A number of associations have applied for membership and each application was always considered on its own merit. DEFINITIONS A professional person is one who has undergone a period of study at a university or a recognised institution of higher learning and has obtained the formal qualification entitling the person to practise the respective profession; and who provides a specialised service to the public, based primarily on a fiduciary relationship between himself and the party to whom he provides such service on his own personal credibility and responsibility; A professional organisation may be an association, a chamber, society, institute or a group of professional individuals as provided for by this statute and subject to its rules of ethical conduct; Federated member association: any such body forming part of the Federation; Affiliate member association: is an organisation which will be accepted as a member of the Federation and will be eligible to apply to become a federated member association after five years from its acceptance. Affiliate member means a member without voting rights but otherwise enjoying all other rights and obligations appertaining to the federated members save as specifically stated or qualified in the statute Member: any individual who is fully subscribed with the appropriate professional body. THE CENTRE’S ESTABLISHMENT The management of the Centre is run by the Council composed of two members of the council of each member association. This creates inter-professional relationship amongst the member associations and direct liaison with the Federation. The Centre has the services of a secretary general who runs the office and is of assistance to all federated members. INTRA-PROFESSIONAL COOPERATION AND COLLATORATION WITH GOVERNMENT, UNIVERSITIES AND THE COMMUNITY Since its foundation the Malta Federation of Professional Associations has done justice to the aim for which it was originally established, namely the inter-disciplinary approach to professional activities with the aim of giving the best possible service to the community. Council meets regularly to discuss problems of common interest and in this way there is not only a flow of information concerning the professions as a whole but also a salutary exchange of views which broadens the vision of each profession and adds to it a cross-fertilisation dimension. The Centre also acts as the venue for discussion of topics of national interest with the aim of identifying ways and means through which professionals in Malta can better contribute to the social and economic progress of the nation. Through its facilities and services the Federation managed to attract the holding of various international meetings and symposia for which all the organizing and administrative work was performed through the centre. Another important function of the Federation has been to assist professionals in broadening their horizons outside the strictly professional constraints. Thus eminent lecturers from Malta and overseas are asked to address the Federation on a wide variety of topics as the possibility arises. Art exhibitions have also been held at the Centre. Other associations not belonging to the Federation, as well as government entities have been encouraged to use the Centre, so that professionals can have contact with a cross-section of people who would not have otherwise met in their normal course of work. Special efforts have always been made to attract young people to the Centre. Member associations hold periodic conferences for future professionals to attain an in-depth knowledge about the profession of their choice, their local representative body and its international affiliations. Apart from the afore-mentioned activities of a general nature, the individual member associations meet very frequently to deliberate on their individual matters. Through the establishment of the Centre, the Federation has helped and encouraged the newer professions to become in line with other established professions. In confirmation of this attitude one could indicate the fact that the present membership of the Federation includes the younger and newer professions. While there is obviously considerable ground for improvement, it is felt that the Malta Professional Centre has been a success as it has also put Maltese professional people in contact with their colleagues both throughout the Commonwealth and European Professional Associations. With this in view the Malta Federation of Professional Associations attended the founding meeting of the Commonwealth Association of Professional Centres in Canberra, Australia, giving a valuable contribution in all debates and drafting of their statute. Moreover the Federation is an active meber of the European Council of the Liberal Professions (CEPLIS) which is the only inter-professional association representing the liberal professionals at the Community level. The Federation has always felt the need to contribute to the formation of future professionals. As the federated members maintain close relations with their international counterparts and are fully aware of the latest international developments in the involvement of their professional roles and responsibilities, this puts them in a unique position to identify the academic needs of future professionals. Unfortunately, only on one particular occasion were individual members of the federated associations been invited to nominate a representative to sit on the various faculty boards of the University. The Federation continued its efforts so that professional associations can contribute in the education of the undergraduates through direct representation on the faculties, council and senate. This was made in a submission to the Minister of Education following the publication of a white paper on the University. The Federation highlighted that one of the objectives of the University is the formation of future professionals. It called for the introduction of a module on Professional Ethics in all courses, since only a few had one in place and that the practicing professionals, representatives of professional associations should be recognised and given the opportunity to contribute in the undergraduate education of their future members.
The idea to set up a professional centre in Malta where the various professions could meet and through various activities create the climate necessary for the development of an inter-disciplinary approach to their work was first aired in 1969 by Mr Roger Degiorgio, an eminent architect, when he mentioned this idea to Mr John Chadwick, Director of the Commonwealth Foundation, who gave immediate support to this concept. The notion was discussed with the various professional associations on the island and in 1970 seven professional organizations grouped together to become the Malta Federation which was formally constituted on the 19th February 1971, when the first official meeting was held.
The Council of the Federation immediately started looking for suitable accommodation and with the assistance of the Commonwealth Foundation, in the form of a substantial grant towards the cost of setting up a professional centre in Malta, the Council managed to acquire the shell of freehold premises which had been converted into a very well equipped and modern Centre. The Centre was formally opened on the 27th October 1973, by the Director of the Commonwealth Foundation, Mr John Chadwick.
Since then the federated members increased, and the Paceville premises became small for the needs of the Federation. The seat was moved to Pembroke on the 17th February 1993. As the premises in Pembroke was on lease, the Council of the Federation did not cease looking for premises which could be purchased. Suitable premises were found in Sliema Road, Gzira and the Federation moved to the premises on the 30th March 2000.
The Malta Federation of Professional Bodies changed its nomenclature to Malta Federation of Professional Associations at an Annual General Meeting held on the 29th September 1999.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
The Malta Federation of Professional Associations was set up to create the climate necessary for the development of an interdisciplinary approach to their work.
Its aims and objectives are:
CURRENT PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP AND CRITERIA THEREFOR:
The founder members of the Federation were:
Chamber of Architects & Civil Engineers – constituted in 1920
Dental Association of Malta – constituted in 1946
Economic Society of Malta – constituted in 1970
Graduate Teachers Association – constituted in 1969
Malta Association of Electrical Engineers – constituted in 1969
Malta Institute of Accountants – constituted in 1942
Medical Association of Malta – constituted in 1954
Other associations that joined later were:
Professional Librarians of Malta Association – constituted in 1972
Malta Chamber of Pharmacists – constituted in 1900
The Malta Association of Electrical Engineers had joined with other engineering disciplines and the Chamber of Professional Engineers was created.
The Economic Society of Malta, the Graduate Teachers Association and the Professional Librarians of Malta Associations were dissolved.
Other associations that joined the Federation are:
Association of Speech-Language Pathologists
Association of Maltese Psychologists
Malta Association of Social Workers
Maltese Association of Youthworkers
Malta Veterinary Association
Malta Association of Professional Conservators and Restorers
Society of Medical Radiographers
Malta Association of Physiotherapists
The present members of the Federation are:
Chamber of Engineers
Dental Association of Malta
Kamra tal-Periti
Malta Institute of Accountants
Malta Chamber of Pharmacists
Maltese Association of Psychologists
Maltese Association of Social Workers
Medical Association of Malta
Criteria for membership to the Federation is based on whether the applicant body is an association of professionals or not as defined in the statute of the Federation, as shown hereunder. A number of associations have applied for membership and each application was always considered on its own merit.
DEFINITIONS
THE CENTRE’S ESTABLISHMENT
The management of the Centre is run by the Council composed of two members of the council of each member association. This creates inter-professional relationship amongst the member associations and direct liaison with the Federation. The Centre has the services of a secretary general who runs the office and is of assistance to all federated members.
INTRA-PROFESSIONAL COOPERATION AND COLLATORATION WITH GOVERNMENT, UNIVERSITIES AND THE COMMUNITY
Since its foundation the Malta Federation of Professional Associations has done justice to the aim for which it was originally established, namely the inter-disciplinary approach to professional activities with the aim of giving the best possible service to the community. Council meets regularly to discuss problems of common interest and in this way there is not only a flow of information concerning the professions as a whole but also a salutary exchange of views which broadens the vision of each profession and adds to it a cross-fertilisation dimension. The Centre also acts as the venue for discussion of topics of national interest with the aim of identifying ways and means through which professionals in Malta can better contribute to the social and economic progress of the nation. Through its facilities and services the Federation managed to attract the holding of various international meetings and symposia for which all the organizing and administrative work was performed through the centre. Another important function of the Federation has been to assist professionals in broadening their horizons outside the strictly professional constraints. Thus eminent lecturers from Malta and overseas are asked to address the Federation on a wide variety of topics as the possibility arises. Art exhibitions have also been held at the Centre. Other associations not belonging to the Federation, as well as government entities have been encouraged to use the Centre, so that professionals can have contact with a cross-section of people who would not have otherwise met in their normal course of work. Special efforts have always been made to attract young people to the Centre. Member associations hold periodic conferences for future professionals to attain an in-depth knowledge about the profession of their choice, their local representative body and its international affiliations. Apart from the afore-mentioned activities of a general nature, the individual member associations meet very frequently to deliberate on their individual matters. Through the establishment of the Centre, the Federation has helped and encouraged the newer professions to become in line with other established professions. In confirmation of this attitude one could indicate the fact that the present membership of the Federation includes the younger and newer professions. While there is obviously considerable ground for improvement, it is felt that the Malta Professional Centre has been a success as it has also put Maltese professional people in contact with their colleagues both throughout the Commonwealth and European Professional Associations. With this in view the Malta Federation of Professional Associations attended the founding meeting of the Commonwealth Association of Professional Centres in Canberra, Australia, giving a valuable contribution in all debates and drafting of their statute. Moreover the Federation is an active meber of the European Council of the Liberal Professions (CEPLIS) which is the only inter-professional association representing the liberal professionals at the Community level.
The Federation has always felt the need to contribute to the formation of future professionals. As the federated members maintain close relations with their international counterparts and are fully aware of the latest international developments in the involvement of their professional roles and responsibilities, this puts them in a unique position to identify the academic needs of future professionals. Unfortunately, only on one particular occasion were individual members of the federated associations been invited to nominate a representative to sit on the various faculty boards of the University.
The Federation continued its efforts so that professional associations can contribute in the education of the undergraduates through direct representation on the faculties, council and senate. This was made in a submission to the Minister of Education following the publication of a white paper on the University. The Federation highlighted that one of the objectives of the University is the formation of future professionals. It called for the introduction of a module on Professional Ethics in all courses, since only a few had one in place and that the practicing professionals, representatives of professional associations should be recognised and given the opportunity to contribute in the undergraduate education of their future members.