Malta represented at UNESCO Clubs' congress in Cyprus

Malta was represented at the sixth World Congress of UNESCO Clubs, held in Limassol, Cyprus, from September 5 to 10.

Albert V. Rutter, chairman, and Victor Rizzo, secretary, represented the UNESCO Club (Malta) at the congress. Thirty-two countries were represented at the congress, whose main topic was cultural diversity.

The Maltese delegates took an active part and Mr Rutter spoke, among other things, of the 35th anniversary of UNESCO Club (Malta) being celebrated next year. He gave details of some of the activities planned, including an international meeting of UNESCO Clubs. Mr Rutter invited all delegates present to come to Malta, and hoped others too will join in the Maltese UNESCO Club's celebrations.

George Christophides, president of the Cyprus Federation of UNESCO Clubs, was elected as the new president of the World Federation of UNESCO Clubs (WFUCA); Patrick Gallaud was re-elected secretary-general and Yuri Borisikhin, treasurer.

The congress was very well organised and so were the various excursions in Cyprus.

It was officially inaugurated by the President of Cyprus, Tassos Papadopoulos.

Messages of welcome were delivered by Andreas Pirishis, president of the Cyprus National Commission for UNESCO, Mr S. Boyer, secretary-general, French National Commission for UNESCO, Anne Willings Grinda, one of the pioneers of the UNESCO Clubs Movement, and Mrs Chiba, on behalf of the UNESCO officials participating in the congress and George Christophides, president of the Cyprus Federation of UNESCO Clubs.

After the official opening of the congress Mr Rutter had the opportunity to meet President Papadopoulos, who referred to the fact that both Cyprus and Malta will soon be joining the European Union and asked Mr Rutter to convey his greetings to President de Marco and to the Prime Minister, Dr Fenech Adami.

Also attending the congress was Jean Baptist Deweck, retired UNESCO Head of National Commissions and UNESCO Clubs.

Delegates attended a reception hosted by the mayor of Nicosia, Michael Zampelas, and the city council. They also visited the Kykkos Byzantine Museum and the monument to Archbishop Makarios, first President of Cyprus.

They were also invited to the Limassol wine festival and attended a dinner given by the mayor, Demitros Kontides.

The congress admitted new members, appointed honorary officials, and elected the new Committee of the WFUCA.

A lavish gala dinner at the Ajax Hotel brought an interesting and successful world congress to an end. The next world congress will be held in Vietnam in four years' time.

This congress helped the Maltese delegates strengthen relations with other UNESCO Clubs and establish new contacts.