Address:

10, Tasman Court, B'Kara Rd,
St Julians, SLM 13, MALTA
E-mail: may@nextgen.net.mt

Website:

www.maymalta.org

Section 1: Profile and History of MAY

The degree course leading to a BA in Youth and Community Studies was first open to students, or participants as the academic staff always insisted on, in October 1993. Five years later, that is, in 1998, the first group of course participants graduated. The dust had hardly settled when the idea, that had been floated about for some time during the course of studies, for the formation of an association of youth workers materialised. An invitation was sent out in August 1998 to all graduates of that year to set up an Association. The Maltese Association of Youth Workers (MAY) was born in September 1998 and both graduates and current course participants joined its ranks. 12 graduates from 15 took up the invitation to become members and 9 were committed to become active members. Thus the founder members of
the Council were: - Gabriella Calleja, James Catania, Remona Cuschieri, Jackie Drury, Anna Maria Farrugia, Roberta Micallef, Angele Patiniott, Vicky Spiteri and Sue Spiteri Shaw.

The writing of a Statute was taken in hand by course participants and members of MAY. A code of ethics was also drafter and later approved at a public seminar - and the battle for the recognition of a professional status started. MAY became involved in various tasks with both governmental and non-governmental organisations, tasks that included substantial contributions the review of the National Youth Policy, work with the National Youth Council, on Alternative Leisure programmes, rehabilitation, training and outreach programmes, with youth centres, some Local Councils and on the recent publication with MIC (Malta EU Information Centre).

While representing professional Youth Workers, the main aim of MAY (Maltese Association of Youthworkers) is to promote the personal, social and political development of Maltese youth through the practice of youth work. The Association strives to facilitate, encourage and support the personal and social development of young people in their transition from dependence to independence. We believe that such development renders it possible for young people to express their opinions and assert themselves in society. Other objectives include marketing the concept of youth work, creating and maintaining standards in the profession, officially representing youth workers on State and other boards and promoting youth worker inservice training and research. MAY also offers, consultancy to government and local youth organisations, strategic planning and development, co-ordination of youth work in the community and the organisation of projects for and with young people.

The following is an extract from the Statute, outlining the latter.

Section 2: Aims and Objectives

The objectives for which this Association is established are:

2.1 To promote youthwork practice in various spheres within the
community for the personal, social and political development of Maltese
youth;

2.2 To establish youthwork as a recognised profession in Malta;

2.3 To establish and maintain standards in the youthwork
profession;

2.4 To mediate as an official representative body with State
entities and other relevant local and foreign Organisations, Associations,
Unions and Youthwork Cooperatives;

2.5 To formulate, update, and maintain ethical and professional
guidelines as required by the profession at large, which are consonant with
and responsive to Malta;

2.6 To organise and encourage further education, enrichment,
research and support in all issues concerning youth and youthwork practice;

2.7 To serve as a locus of discussion, sharing of resources and
coordination of work;

2.8 To undertake and encourage on-going training programmes for
members of the Association, for continued professional development;

2.9 To do all such acts and things which are, or may be deemed
incidental or conducive to the attainment of the objects of the Association;