Professional Ethics: A Hub in Europe – The Services of the Professional in the Future
This seminar helped participants gain insight into current research in the field of professional ethics and network with other professionals.
Date & Time: 27 November 2017 9:00 – 13:30
Place: The Palace, Sliema
This seminar addressed various areas of professional ethics: the challenges of professional ethics in Europe and locally, CPD programmes in Europe, professional ethics in university curricula, the relationship between professionals and customers. The speakers included local and foreign academic experts on professional ethics and a senior figure (at EU level) in the field of professional ethics and advocacy-building for the liberal professions.
A brief overview of the ECEPE was given outlining the main three objectives:
- To convene researchers/experts in different areas of ethics in one place, Malta.
- To provide training both at the basic level as well as Continuous Professional Development and to develop both standard curricula and benchmarks, not in bottom-up approach by consulting professions.
- To raise awareness within society: a broad vision involving both decision makers/ society at large/ citizens / patients
The main questions discussed during the workshop were:
- What are the specific challenges that you are meeting in your profession in terms of professional ethics? Can you mention one or two concrete challenges?
- Which responses have you brought (or do you plan to bring) to these challenges, at the Maltese level?
- To what extent is the European dimension relevant to these challenges and responses? Have you for instance taken part in joint initiatives at the European level? Do you think these issues are best targeted at the national or EU level?
The following main points emanated from the three-hour open discussion.
- Differentiation between professionals and other persons acting as professionals – interests of clients are not safeguarded
- Professionals and Government laws that could hinder a professional giving the correct advice to patients ( especially health issues)
- Correct and ethical use of social media by professionals
- A good Government based data management system of patients especially in health and link with the private sector.
- The use of IT in professional practice
- Informing professionals to introduce Continuous Professional Development schemes in order to keep up to date and consult their clients with up to date information in all sectors especially in the health.
This seminar helped participants gain insight into current research in the field of professional ethics and network with other professionals.
Working Groups Report
The SP4SE project partners, led by Confprofessioni, have finalised the working group report, a document that summarises the key recommendations emerging from the discussion and analysis activities conducted during the project. The work focused on the social protection needs of self-employed workers and professionals, a topic that has become central in light of the critical issues that emerged during the Covid-19 pandemic. The recommendations are divided into three priority thematic areas: Support during health emergencies, with proposals for administrative simplification, payment moratoria, income support and mental health protection; Supplementary healthcare, focusing on accessibility, flexible insurance models, mental well-being and social dialogue; Income support, with the aim of ensuring protection mechanisms in the event of business suspension or significant reduction in income, including professional development programmes. The working groups saw the active participation of representatives of social partners and stakeholders from the professional world, who shared experiences and concrete proposals based on the evidence gathered during the project. The report identifies good practices at the national level and proposes transferable models to promote a more equitable, inclusive, and resilient social protection system, in line with Principle 12 of the European Pillar of Social Rights. The document represents an important step forward in strengthening social dialogue and developing policies that are more responsive to the needs of self-employed professionals. Read the report.
Enhancing Social Protection for Professional Self-Employed: Insights on the Role of Social Partners
The SP4SE (Social Protection for Self-Employed) project investigates social protection frameworks for self-employed individuals across EU Member States, particularly focusing on Professional Self-Employed (PSE)workers. It builds upon the European Pillar of Social Rights (2017) and the 2019 Council Recommendation on access to social protection, emphasising the role of social partners in shaping effective systems. The study highlights the fragmented and unequal protection for PSEs across the EU, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic exposed systemic vulnerabilities. The second phase of the project analyses seven diverse EU countries—Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Malta, and Romania—to assess the real-world conditions of PSE workers and the role of representative organizations. Through interviews with experts, policymakers, and professional association leaders, the study explores how social partners contribute to protection governance, representation, and policy development. A key finding is that well-organised professions, such as traditional liberal fields, benefit from structured social protection through professional funds or associations. In contrast, non-traditional or solo self-employed workers often lack representation, suffer limited access to benefits, and remain excluded from formal systems. The report argues that empowering social partners is essential for developing equitable and effective social protection schemes. Public institutions at both national and EU levels must support structured dialogue with these actors. Ultimately, the project aims to promote harmonised, inclusive policies that improve the living and working conditions of all self-employed workers and ensure intergenerational renewal in essential professions across Europe. Read the full report here.
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This project has been funded by the Voluntary Organisations Project Scheme managed by the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector (MCVS).
