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Venice charter and the development of authenticity
Get PDFAuthenticity has been a concern for many centuries. In the 19th century, during the restoration interventions on Notre Dame, it was obvious that authenticity was linked solely to the original material of the monument. It was in the Venice Charter of 1964, that there was an attempt to define authenticity. Since then, the perception and understanding of what is authentic has changed. This shift in meaning is partly due to changes in the sanctioned definitions of chartered documents, which influenced the values society attributed to their heritage. Values counteracted this by becoming wider in scope. Though the Venice Charter mentioned authenticity, it did not specify the attributes heritage should maintain to be considered authentic. This was to change when intangible and tangible heritage were considered as criteria for inscription in World Heritage Sites, particularly with the pivotal contribution from the Japanese experience of intangible heritage when they joined the World Heritage Convention. Once intangible and tangible heritage were considered for inscription in World Heritage Sites, authenticity was pushed to consider other attributes than materiality alone. The understanding of authenticity was developed through discussions regarding World Heritage Sites like Abu Simbel, the Historic Centre of Warsaw and Mostar Bridge, which were enlisted as World Heritage Sites after major interventions or reconstruction works were carried out on them. The article concludes with a discussion regarding how the characteristics of the material used, in particular in a case of reconstruction, could influence the authentic or truthful experience of a historic site.peer-reviewe
Coastal boulder deposits in the Mediterranean : a comprehensive review of research and findings
Get PDFCoastal boulder deposits (CBD) found on rocky coasts are considered as the result of erosional and depositional processes by
waves. These features are often attributed to extreme wave events such as major storms or tsunamis. Interest in their origin
has increased considerably in the past 2 decades, especially after the 2004 and 2011 tsunamigenic events. This study attempts
to review the literature available on this topic so far within the context of the Mediterranean region. This study shows how
the main aims of research evolved from early descriptive works that tried to identify the causative source or event of boulder
transport: storm or tsunami, to more specific evaluation of storm-induced transportation events and testing numerical models.
Different methodologies used, as well as technological advances that facilitated data collection and observations, are also
discussed. Finally, the study proposes future research directions to address gaps in knowledge relative to coastal erosion and
identification of coastal hazards from flooding and inundation.peer-reviewe
Modern radiology eBook
Get PDFUndergraduate teaching of radiology in Europe is provided according to national schemes and may vary considerably from one academic institution to another. Sometimes, the field of radiology is considered as a “crosscutting discipline” or taught within the context of other clinical disciplines, e.g., internal medicine or surgery. This e-book has been created in order to serve medical students and academic teachers throughout Europe to understand and teach radiology as a whole coherent discipline, respectively. Its contents are based on the Undergraduate Level of the ESR European Training Curriculum for Radiology and summarize the so-called core elements that may be considered as the basics that every medical student should be familiar with. Although specific radiologic diagnostic skills for image interpretation cannot be acquired by all students and rather belong to the learning objectives of the Postgraduate Levels of the ESR Training Curricula, the present e-book also contains some further insights related to modern imaging in the form of examples of key pathologies, as seen by the different imaging modalities. These are intended to give the interested undergraduate student an understanding of modern radiology, reflecting its multidisciplinary character as an organ-based specialty. We would like to extend our special thanks to the authors and members of the ESR Education Committee who have contributed to this eBook, to Carlo Catalano, Andrea Laghi and András Palkó who initiated this project, and to the ESR Office, in particular Bettina Leimberger and Danijel Lepir, for all their support in realising this project. We hope that this e-book may fulfil its purpose as a useful tool for undergraduate academic radiology teaching. [Preface by Minerva Becker & Vicky Goh]peer-reviewe
The games of the small states of Europe : the lived experience of dual-career athletes
Get PDFThis study explores the lived experiences of dual-career (DC) athletes participating in the
Games of the Small States of Europe (GSSE), examining challenges, coping mechanisms
and support systems. Despite extensive research on DC athletes, the unique
circumstances surrounding smaller nations in Europe and the GSSE remain unexplored.
This study aimed to fill this gap by examining how athletes from one of the smallest states
in Europe manage their dual commitments under the unique pressures of the GSSE. Data
was collected through semi-structured interviews with eight (five female, three male) DC
Maltese athletes who had participated in the GSSE. Six of the eight athletes interviewed
were enrolled at the University of Malta (UOM), whereas the remaining two participated
in online courses offered by foreign universities. The data was analysed using reflective
thematic analysis. The study illustrates athletes' diverse strategies to manage their dual
careers using familial and institutional support systems. The athletes' experiences
highlight the need for improved frameworks and advocacy to facilitate dual careers. The
study explored how DC athletes struggled to balance demanding academic schedules
with rigorous training sessions. High expectations and demands often lead to significant
lifestyle sacrifices, such as social isolation and mental stress. Furthermore, the research
examined the dual-edged nature of competing on home soil. While local fans and family
support motivated some athletes, it heightened expectations and anxiety for others. This
study evaluates support systems and highlights the need for adaptable, integrated
frameworks catering to athletic and academic schedules.peer-reviewe
Defining health management : a conceptual foundation for excellence through efficiency, sustainability and equity
Get PDFThe practice of healthcare management is essential for the efficient operation of health services, encompassing leadership,
management, and direction within healthcare organisations. ‘Health management’ extends beyond healthcare management by
integrating principles of public health and health policy. As health management is commonly practised but not cohesively
recognised, the European Health Management Association (EHMA) conducted this study to develop a cohesive definition of
health management. Developed through a qualitative methodology comprising focus group discussions and validation through
quantitative expert interviews, this study proposed a holistic definition of health management, incorporating social, environmental and economic determinants of health, cross‐sector collaboration, and the ‘One Health’ approach. The publication of this
unified definition has important implications for professional training, policy development, and health outcomes. It provides a
foundational framework for curricula, informs precise policy formulation, and promotes excellence through health service
delivery that reflects efficiency, sustainability, and equity.peer-reviewe
Stakeholder perceptions and intentions for action on sustainability futures
Get PDFFutures discourses that are structured as participatory and inclusive, aim to incorporate the perspectives and views of diverse stakeholders. This adds rigour to a decision-making process, particularly when addressing complex or wicked problems and challenges such as those linked to sustainable development and the pursuit of the sustainable development goals (SDGs). In this context, the possibility space is characterised by different normative understandings and value systems, which also suggests an element of stakeholder agency, and the role played by stakeholders in shaping futures and their outcomes. This study addresses an under-researched topic of how different framings and representations of futures influence intention for action. It answers a call for greater reflexivity in the futures field to build an awareness of how “one’s own perspective, assumptions, beliefs, values, and political motives” (Rutting et al., 2022) influence future anticipation and pathways for action. Drawing from the literature on futures and stakeholder participation, this research in progress explores how stakeholder perceptions of the future influence action for sustainable development and achieving the SDGs. The study is based on the results of a qualitative survey among international scientists and researchers from different academic and cultural backgrounds that asked respondents how they perceive sustainability futures and their contribution to act towards achieving SDG 14 “Life Below Water”. Those respondents who view the future as predictable, stated that their principal contribution to achieving a sustainable future is through research and knowledge generation, and advocating for policy change. This somewhat aligns with the traditional role of science. Respondents with a broader perspective on sustainability futures, by describing these as highly uncertain and socially constructed, recognized a wider variety of roles beyond the traditional research and scientific contributions. For example, these included community outreach and raising awareness about mitigating the impacts of climate change or to integrating ethical and responsible impacts of sustainability in teaching and research. The findings indicate that scientists could play a more active role in shaping and co-creating sustainability futures through enhanced communication and collaboration across disciplines and sectors. The research contributes to better aligning reflexivity and stakeholder agency when contemplating possibility spaces in multi-stakeholder contexts.peer-reviewe
From hectic and busy outdoors to hectic and busy indoors? Mobility and activity related insights of families with kids during the first weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic in Malta
Get PDFThe COVID-19 pandemic led Malta to declare a partial lockdown on the 12th March 2020. In this paper we aim to reveal the emotions and the differences in the daily travel and activity patterns that were experienced by parents and their children during this time. We use data collected from an online questionnaire. Cluster Analysis was performed on the sample to determine population profiling. Following this, we thematically analysed the narratives related to the revealed travel activity patterns of the group of participants with children in their household. The findings showed that mothers and parents between the ages of 30-49 carried the most responsibility because activities shifted in-house; this group was labelled as “down to earth”. A content analysis revealed that parents suffered from anxiety due to restricted access and fear of contagion. Parents who did not suffer from anxiety were enjoying their family and home during the partial lockdown. The discussion includes recommendations to improve mobility and activities in extreme situations like a pandemic, among families with children and concludes with suggestions for future work.peer-reviewe
Journalistic role performance in Southern European media systems : resilience in times of disruption
Get PDFThis work is grounded and inspired by studies on journalism’s vulnerabilities in times of
crisis, role performance, support systems and calls for collective resilience in the face of
emerging/new threats to journalism practice. The study adopts a comparative approach
and goes beyond what has already been examined by critically assessing resilience strategies
that journalists develop to cope with professional threats that have emerged with
the onset of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. The study focuses on journalism practice
in Bulgaria, Greece, Cyprus and Malta. Its findings indicate that in the face of this crisis,
journalists showed remarkable resilience despite the lack of professional support systems
as they turned to their profession’s highest values to draw strength and support. The hardships they faced, both personally and professionally, did not deter them from
fulfilling their roles, but fuelled them with persistence and rekindled their faith in journalism
as a vocation.peer-reviewe
Burnout among mental health professionals working in an inpatient setting within the Maltese NHS
Get PDFBACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to quantitatively explore the prevalence of job related burnout in mental health professionals working in an inpatient setting. The phenomenon of burnout is understood as a process involving three core features: emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and low personal accomplishment.METHOD: The study population consisted of all the psychiatry doctors, nurses, occupational therapists, psychologists, psychotherapists and social workers working in an inpatient psychiatric setting in the Maltese Islands. A cross-sectional anonymous self report survey was administered, this included demographic and job related questions and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI-HSS-MP).RESULTS: The response rate was n= 71%. The burnout levels in this cohort of healthcare workers were similar to those found in other countries. 13.9% of the study population reported all the core features of burnout. 70.4% appeared to be moderately to highly emotionally exhausted.CONCLUSION: This study identified the need for services to start assessing and working to improve the mental wellbeing of the mental health service providers in Malta.peer-reviewe
Mathematics in Maltese : the compilation of a bilingual English-Maltese glossary to support mathematics teaching and learning in Malta
Get PDFIn Malta, mathematics education is accessed bilingually through Maltese and English.
While Maltese is often used for verbal interaction, English is the language of written texts,
including assessments. Consequently, switches between the languages is a common feature of
Maltese mathematics classrooms. Anecdotal and research evidence indicate that Maltese students
benefit from the use of their home language. However, to date, there is no recognised and
standardised Maltese bank of mathematics. Our project aims to address this lacuna. In this article,
we outline the process of compiling a bilingual glossary of mathematics terms intended for
kindergarten and elementary school levels in Malta (ages 3–11 years). The purpose of the glossary
is to support teachers and students in their use of the two languages for the teaching/learning
process. This novel resource can serve to validate the Maltese language for mathematics and to
encourage consistency of terminology across school and classroom contexts. The glossary can also
be helpful in the future should we choose to introduce written Maltese for mathematics. In this
article, we explain how the project was developed and how word choices were made with respect
to the Maltese terms.peer-reviewe