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The Directorate for the Maltese
Living Abroad
(DMLA)
Dr Raymond C. XERRI
Director
Directorate for the Maltese Living Abroad
Directorate-General – Political, EU Affairs and Maltese Abroad
Agenda
-Historic Overview – The Directorate.
-Legal basis for a Directorate.
-The main tasks of the Directorate.
-Directorate Tasks related to the Council.
-Other Directorate tasks.
-A European Diaspora Policy.
Directorate for the Maltese Living Abroad
Directorate-General – Political, EU Affairs and Maltese Abroad
Historic Overview – The Directorate
-2011 – Chapter 515 of Act XX of 2011 establishing
the Council for the Maltese Living Abroad (CMLA)
passes through Parliament and is signed by the
President of the Malta. Fifteen CMLA Councillors and
Secretary are appointed.
-2013 - In January the first Director for DMLA
appointed and in May started to form part of the
Directorate-General – Political, EU Affairs and
Maltese Abroad with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
Directorate for the Maltese Living Abroad
Directorate-General – Political, EU Affairs and Maltese Abroad
Legal Basis for a Directorate and
Functionality
The legal basis for the establishment of the Directorate for
Maltese Living Abroad is found in Article 8, paragraphs 1-3 of Act
XX of 2011.
-The first paragraph establishes the Directorate at the Ministry
for Foreign Affairs
-The second paragraph describes the aims of the Directorate.
-The third places an overall responsibility of the implementation
of Act XX of 2011 on the Directorate.
Although both the Office of Secretary of the CMLA and Office of
the DMLA are found in the same MFA building, a certain level of
autonomy is maintained by the Secretary CMLA and the Director,
DMLA. The Director communicates with the CMLA through the
Secretary of the Council.
Directorate for the Maltese Living Abroad
Directorate-General – Political, EU Affairs and Maltese Abroad
The Main tasks of the Directorate
Article 8 (3) of Act XX of 2011 states that, “The Directorate shall be
responsible to ensure the implementation of this Act.” Although it is
one small sentence but it is all encompassing in relation to the Act.
The Directorate’s main task is to implement the agreed and
approved proposals of the Council by the CMLA Chairperson who is
the Minister for Foreign Affairs ex officio, however, this article opens
a horizon of other responsibilities.
The Directorate has other responsibilities to coordinate with other
Directorates, internally in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and
externally across government, with Diaspora Affairs counterparts
abroad and The Europeans Throughout The World (ETTW).
Directorate for the Maltese Living Abroad
Directorate-General – Political, EU Affairs and Maltese Abroad
Directorate Tasks related to the Council
•The Directorate is responsible for implementing the
proposals of the CMLA Councillors which have been approved
by the Chairperson.
•Regular consultations and meetings with CMLA Secretary.
•Assist the Secretary of the CMLA to organise the CMLA
Annual Convenings in Malta and videoconferences.
•Inform the Secretary of the CMLA with relevant information
pertinent for CMLA Councillors to act, consult and propose on
measures that promote and protect the rights and interest of
Maltese living abroad.
Directorate for the Maltese Living Abroad
Directorate-General – Political, EU Affairs and Maltese Abroad
Other Directorate Tasks
-Act as a central focal point for information, advice and coordination to Maltese living abroad and assist any stakeholder.
-Consultation with Stakeholders with (1) MFA directorates; (2)
Cross Government; (3) Diaspora-related; (4) peripheral; (5)
diplomatic and (6) external.
-Cater for the different enquires of the five categories of Maltese
Diaspora: (1) Permanent; (2) Temporary; (3) Short-term fixed;
(4) Missionary and volunteers; (5) Off-shore workers.
-Manage Notification D Form – Voluntary Registration for Maltese
Living Abroad.
Directorate for the Maltese Living Abroad
Directorate-General – Political, EU Affairs and Maltese Abroad
Other Directorate’s Tasks (continued)
-Research, write and analyse information to compile Diaspora
Chapters on all countries where Malta’s Diaspora is present.
-Compilation of Statistics of Diaspora communities.
-Assist visiting Diaspora groups to Malta.
-Lecturing and assistance in Diaspora Affairs research for
students who are studying this growing area.
- Lead preparation for the organisation of Conventions such as
this event.
Directorate for the Maltese Living Abroad
Directorate-General – Political, EU Affairs and Maltese Abroad
A European Diaspora Policy
The Directorate participates in meetings, seminars and conferences
on a European and international level related to the formulation of
a European Diaspora Policy.
The Director is representing the CMLA on the European
Throughout The World (ETTW) Governing Board where I represent
Malta and have occupied the post of Vice-President of ETTW for the
past two years.
The Directorate is following closely developments related to
European Diaspora Policy. In this area, the Latvian Presidency will
commence the task of bringing forth the pertinent issues related to
Diaspora in the upcoming World Expert Conference to be organised
in Riga, Latvia between 11-12 May 2015. This is a historic
convening for Europe since the European continent is one of the
last regional block in the world which had so far not given Diaspora
Affairs its due importance.
Directorate for the Maltese Living Abroad
Directorate-General – Political, EU Affairs and Maltese Abroad
Thank You
Directorate for the Maltese Living Abroad
Directorate-General – Political, EU Affairs and Maltese Abroad