Minister Michael Falzon Launches Vuċi Toolkit And Strategic Vision For Children

Nov 21 2024

Minister for Social Policy and Children’s Rights Michael Falzon has launched an innovative toolkit called VUĊI (Valuing and Understanding Children’s Impact).

This tool is designed to collect data on the impact of children’s participation across sectors, including policies affecting children, adults, and broader decision-making processes.

The toolkit offers a practical framework to evaluate and strengthen children’s participation at both national and international levels. Alongside this launch, the Strategic Vision for Children (2024–2030) was introduced, focusing on safeguarding children’s well-being, rights, and participation while supporting families and enhancing children’s environments.

Announced during a conference on International Children’s Day, the initiative was praised by Marie-Cécile Rouillon, the European Commission’s Coordinator for Children’s Rights. She commended Malta’s progress in empowering youths, citing the voting age of 16 as a notable example of adolescent involvement in national decision-making.

Minister Falzon acknowledged ongoing challenges in ensuring children receive proper care. He emphasized the importance of recent legislative changes that empower professionals to make decisions prioritizing children’s growth in safe and nurturing environments.

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Season 2 Of Sidemen’s ‘INSIDE’ Coming To Netflix

Nov 21 2024

The Sidemen, a British YouTube group with over 146 million combined subscribers, are expanding their horizons beyond YouTube.

They’ve announced that Season 2 of their reality show, Inside, will premiere on Netflix in 2025, along with a US version.

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Known for their diverse content ranging from gaming to comedy sketches, the group—featuring creators like KSI and Vikkstar123—say they’ve reached a “ceiling” on YouTube and see this as an opportunity to reach new audiences.

Vik Barn described the move as “ambitious,” emphasising the journey from creating content in their bedrooms to collaborating with the world’s leading streaming platform.

Inside initially aired on YouTube in June, drawing 14 million views for its first episode. The show locks influencers in a house to compete for prizes worth up to £1 million.

Netflix’s interest signals a major step for the Sidemen, who will serve as executive producers with creative control.

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Despite their growth, the group remains wary of media scrutiny, avoiding political and social commentary to focus on their core mission: creating entertaining content.

Vik acknowledged the pressure but emphasised their commitment to staying authentic, even as they tackle the challenges of bringing their fast-paced production style to Netflix.

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Agreement Signed between Aġenzija Sapport and Aġenzija Żgħażagħ To Enhance Training Opportunities

Nov 21 2024

Aġenzija Sapport and Aġenzija Żgħażagħ have signed a three-year agreement to expand training opportunities for mentors and youth utilizing Aġenzija Sapport services.

The signing took place in the presence of Minister for Inclusion and Volunteering Julia Farrugia Portelli and Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Research, and Innovation Keith Azzopardi Tanti.

Under this agreement, Aġenzija Żgħażagħ will deliver leadership and mentoring training to youth workers from Aġenzija Sapport. It will also roll out targeted programs to empower youths with diverse abilities, enabling them to enhance their skills and actively participate in the community.

Minister Farrugia Portelli highlighted the collaboration’s importance in fostering inclusivity and helping youths realize their full potential. Parliamentary Secretary Azzopardi Tanti commended the joint effort, emphasizing its role in creating a stronger, more inclusive society.

Participants in Aġenzija Sapport’s programs, such as Sharing Lives, will benefit from professional-led sessions, while initiatives like SAFER and Take a Stand will promote digital safety and personal empowerment among youths.

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Prime Minister Robert Abela Inaugurates BOV Centre Regeneration Project

Nov 21 2024

Prime Minister Robert Abela hailed the upcoming regeneration of the Bank of Valletta Centre in Santa Venera as a pivotal step in enhancing energy efficiency standards.

Speaking at the inauguration, Dr. Abela emphasized the importance of sustainability and quality in such projects, noting the financial sector’s responsibility to drive green investment. He questioned whether loan terms should differ for projects prioritizing energy efficiency over conventional builds, advocating for greener financial incentives.

Dr. Abela also linked the project to next year’s Budget priorities, highlighting the government’s new measure to contribute to private pensions for public sector workers. He described this as a step towards expanding Malta’s private pensions niche, which has been in development since 2016. The initiative aims to increase workers’ retirement income while fostering long-term savings funds that can be reinvested for national progress.

Marking the bank’s 50th anniversary, Dr. Abela expressed confidence in BOV’s ongoing commitment to quality and sustainability. CEO Kenneth Farrugia and Chairman Gordon Cordina echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the bank’s adaptability, including facilitating remote work for 40% of employees, and its continued focus on future-ready financial solutions.

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