Educating for Equality: The Role of Training in Malta’s Anti-Racism Strategy

SERIES: ANTI RACISM STRATEGY MALTA

Action Plan 4: Training 

Malta is investing in anti-racism education by training law enforcement, public servants, and key professionals to strengthen cultural awareness and ensure more inclusive and equitable services across society.

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What is Action 4 about?

Building truly equitable and inclusive requires more than new legislation and governance structures, it also demands widespread education. Recognising that systemic change depends on shifting mindsets and strengthening cultural awareness, Action 4 outlines a comprehensive strategy to invest in anti-racism education across multiple sectors.

By targeting key professions and expanding access to educational resources, the plan introduces several measures designed to equip society with the tools needed to dismantle prejudice:  

1. Equipping Law Enforcement and the Justice System  

A central focus of the plan is ensuring that those responsible for upholding the law are properly equipped to identify and combat prejudice. In collaboration with the Malta Police

Force, the Office of the Attorney General and the Judicial Studies Committee, specialised training on hate crime will be introduced. 

This includes targeted training for both police recruits and serving officers, aiming to eliminate discriminatory attitudes, prevent unlawful profiling, and improve the investigation and prosecution of hate crimes.  

Additionally, security guards will be required to complete an equality and diversity training module with a strong anti-racism focus as part of their licensing requirements. Other enforcement officials and disciplined forces will also receive tailored anti-racism training relevant to their operational roles.

2. Empowering Public Servants and the Private Sector  

Embedded anti-racism principles into everyday services and business operations is essential. To this end, the Human Rights Directorate (HRD) will develop and deliver training programmes targeting public officers, private sector employees, and students. 

For public officers across all grades and roles, the government will provide evidence-based training in anti-racism and cultural competency, ensuring that public services are delivered equitably and inclusively.

3. Supporting Key Professions  

Professionals who work closely with the public play a crucial role in fostering inclusion and supporting vulnerable communities. The plan therefore includes a commitment to mapping existing anti-racism content within training programmes for educators, psychosocial professionals, health care professionals and cultural mediators. 

By reviewing and evaluating current curricula, the HRD aims to identify and address any gaps in anti-racism education within these essential fields.    

4. Building Sustainable Expertise and Accessible Resources  

To ensure that these initiatives are both sustainable and scalable, the HRD will establish a dedicated pool of trainers drawn from diverse backgrounds and organisations. These experts will deliver training programmes and lead “train-the-trainer” courses outlined throughout the plan.

In addition, the government will provide online anti-racism training resources designed to promote understanding, foster empathy, and equip individuals and organisations with the knowledge needed to recognise, address, and challenge racism in both institutional and everyday contexts.

Through Action 4, Malta is making a long-term investment in its people. By delivering tailored, comprehensive training across law enforcement, public services and key professions, the country is strengthening the cultural competence needed to drive systemic change and build a truly equitable society.

Source : https://humanrights.gov.mt/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/NAPAR-2025-2030.pdf