/library/oar/handle/123456789/6272 2026-05-30T19:55:00Z 2026-05-30T19:55:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/146893 2026-05-28T12:56:00Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Hospitaller Malta’s relations with Naples in the early eighteenth century through a study of correspondence of the Grand Master, 1700-1725 Abstract: The main purpose of the present dissertation is to reconstruct and examine the relationship between Hospitaller Malta and Naples in its eighteenth-century stage of development, with particular focus on the years from 1700 to 1725. These mutual relations will in turn help to explore the interconnectedness of their medical, diplomatic, economic, trade, and slave relations, highlighting how these particular areas of contact contributed to their mutual influence and cooperation. By examining these aspects, this research hopes to provide a deeper insight into their relationship, an untapped topic, as well as offer a thorough understanding of their shared history, and at the same time shedding light on the broader context of Mediterranean diplomacy and highlighting their importance in regional partnership. The present dissertation is organised into 3 thematic chapters. The Naval Warfare, Privateering and Diplomacy chapter details the intricate privateering, naval warfare, and diplomatic relations between Malta and Naples. It focuses on their shared commitment in the defence against Ottoman and Barbary corsairs. It also explores the set of laws, regulations and judicial institutions that governed privateering, maritime activities and conflicts in the Mediterranean during this period. Additionally, it examines the military tactics and ongoing conflicts, which shaped Mediterranean power, emphasising their cooperation in naval support and supplies. Malta and Naples maintained a good partnership rooted in religious and political interests aimed at preserving regional, Christian maritime dominance and geopolitical stability in the Mediterranean. The Economic and Social Relations between the Two States chapter explores the multifaceted economic and social ties between Malta and Naples. The section on trade highlights the extensive commercial relations, emphasising the exchange of a wide range of commodities such as food, textiles, and luxury goods. It also examines the important legal frameworks governing export practices, the vital role of maritime trade—including shipbuilding materials and licenses—and underscores the mutual economic respect, cooperation, and support that sustained their enduring commercial relationship. In addition, the chapter delves into Malta’s dependence on the Neapolitan Pazzarelli hospital for mental health treatment and related medical conditions. It traces the evolution of Malta’s healthcare institutions, exemplified by the establishment of the women’s hospital through benefactors like Caterina Scappi. Furthermore, the chapter examines the financial and administrative ties that facilitated cooperation in healthcare and highlights the progressive development of mental health services, reflecting the broader social and institutional connections between the two states. The Social and Political Institution of Slavery: The Maltese and Neapolitan Perspective chapter analyses the political and social aspects of slavery in early eighteenth century Malta and Naples, highlighting its economic importance, its diverse origins, and its decline. It explores the role slaves played in the building of the fortifications and other structures, domestic work, the maritime sector, as well as their religious and cultural integration. This chapter also explains the negotiations and intricate relationships between Malta, Naples, and other Mediterranean regions regarding the acquisition, use, and regulation of slaves. It is hoped that the present study will foster a deeper appreciation of the relationship between Hospitaller Malta and the Kingdom of Naples. This relationship has not been hitherto sufficiently researched and, in my opinion, is often side-lined by Malta’s dependency on Sicily. I have been fascinated with the vast and rich amount of archival information contained in the Grand Masters’ correspondence in the Archives of the Order of St John at the National Library of Malta in Valletta, which inspired me to explore this relationship even more. Description: M.A.(Melit.)

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/146867 2026-05-28T08:59:37Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Visual culture in Malta as a mirror and an agent of change : from Italian unification to Maltese independence Abstract: imperial ideals. The influence permeated many aspects of Maltese imagery, especially architecture, public monuments, and other forms of state-sponsored art.8 These competing influences resulted in a distinct visual lexicon in Malta, reflecting the island’s efforts to assert its identity in the face of external pressures and internal changes. Visual art served not only as a form of creative expression but also as a means of encoding and contesting the era’s complex realities. Fine art and popular imagery became sites for subtle and profound debates about belonging, authority, and cultural resilience. Malta’s imagery reflects these interactions, providing insights into how art can serve as a bridge between competing traditions and ideologies. In Malta, the visual arts functioned as a dynamic space where external pressures met local traditions, resulting in works that absorbed, resisted, and transformed these influences. [...] Description: M.A.(Melit.)

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/145478 2026-04-10T14:06:54Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Bridging the digital divide in the global south through the global digital compact Abstract: The persistent digital divide poses a significant challenge to global equality and sustainable development, especially in developing countries. This study examines whether the Global Digital Compact (GDC) can help reduce these inequalities by achieving universal meaningful connectivity and promoting inclusive digital transformation. Using established development theories - Modernisation, Dependency, and the Capability Approach - this analysis goes beyond simple access issues to explore the complex nature of digital inequality. Data from major international organisations shows continuing gaps in infrastructure, affordability, skills, and internet use, particularly affecting vulnerable groups in the Global South. This research argues that for the GDC to achieve real change, it must move beyond inspiring statements to genuine power-sharing, prioritising local, community-led initiatives with strong financial and political support. The analysis identifies critical challenges including the 'capability trap', where skills lack opportunities for application, and the 'implementation cascade', where governance failures trigger systemic barriers across infrastructure, affordability, and human capital development. Whilst the GDC sets out ambitious goals and supports multi-stakeholder partnerships and digital public goods, its non-binding status, funding shortages, and political complications hinder effective implementation. The research reveals an intersectional blind spot in addressing compounded marginalisation and highlights unresolved tensions in global data governance. The study concludes that although the GDC provides an important normative framework, its success relies on sustained, people-focused action. This requires governments, civil society, and development partners working together, turning broad principles into specific, locally relevant policies that address systemic interdependencies rather than isolated symptoms. Description: M. CD(Melit.)

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/145477 2026-04-10T14:03:11Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Decolonizing artificial intelligence ethics : Ubuntu as a philosophical paradigm for AI governance in Africa Abstract: This dissertation examines the relevance of the African philosophy of Ubuntu to the ethical governance of artificial intelligence in African contexts. It analyses dominant global frameworks for AI ethics and governance and identifies conceptual and normative limitations in their engagement with African social values, communal worldviews, and historical experiences. The study adopts a qualitative, normative, and interpretive approach, drawing on African philosophical literature, international and regional policy documents, and expert interviews to assess how ethical assumptions are embedded in existing AI governance models. The analysis conceptualises Ubuntu as a relational ethical framework centred on personhood, collective responsibility, and interdependence, and examines how these principles challenge prevailing individual-centred approaches to AI ethics. It explores the implications of Ubuntu-informed ethics for data governance, accountability, and institutional design, with particular attention to policy and legal frameworks at national, regional, and continental levels. By positioning African philosophical thought as a source of normative reasoning rather than contextual adaptation, the dissertation contributes to discussions on ethical pluralism and legitimacy in AI governance. It concludes by identifying governance considerations relevant to African institutions and reflecting on the broader implications of Ubuntu-informed ethics for global debates on the responsible development and use of artificial intelligence. Description: M. CD(Melit.)

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z