MEDAC's Euro-Mediterranean diplomatic vocation

The Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies (MEDAC) held the official opening of its academic year at the Westin Dragonara Resort on October 10. The director of MEDAC, Dr Stephen Calleya, in his opening address focused on the evolution of MEDAC over the past 15 years and the current academic programme being offered by the academy.

The keynote speaker, President Emeritus Guido de Marco, chairman of MEDAC, addressing the audience - which included members of the diplomatic corps - highlighted the numerous milestones that had taken place in the international relations of the Euro-Mediterranean area since the establishment of MEDAC in 1990.

This included the end of the Cold War, the short-lived breakthrough in peace talks in the Middle East as a result of the Oslo peace process, and the launching of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership in November 1995.

Professor de Marco encouraged MEDAC's students to develop the logic of persuasion as this was essential in international diplomacy as an instrument of peace.

MEDAC is an institution of higher learning offering advanced degrees in diplomacy with a focus on Mediterranean issues. The academic programme consists of courses in International Law, International Economics, International Relations, Diplomatic History, and the practice of diplomacy.

MEDAC was established in 1990 following an agreement between the governments of Malta and Switzerland. Both governments have undertaken to seek the involvement of other countries and international organisations in the activities of the academy to make it a truly regional and international institution. As a result, both the University of Malta and the Graduate Institute of International Studies of Geneva have played a direct role in the development of the academic training that MEDAC offers.

Other longstanding international partners of MEDAC include Italy, which sponsors a Chair in International Economics, and the European Union, which has entrusted MEDAC to organise the twice-yearly Euro-Mediterranean Information and Training Seminars for diplomats since 1996, an official confidence building exercise of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership.

MEDAC's international vocation is also evident from the large number of international conferences, workshops and study visits it has held on a regular basis in collaboration with numerous institutions and governments, including, the Arab League, Wilton Park, EuroMeSCo, the Nordic Council, the Geneva Centre for Security Policy and the governments of Tunisia and Egypt.

Since opening its doors to postgraduate students more than 340 students from over 40 countries have graduated from MEDAC. Several of the academy's alumni are now following a career in diplomacy and are serving in their respective embassies all over the world.

MEDAC's class of 2005-2006 is one of its largest intakes of postgraduate students from all over the Mediterranean area and beyond, and includes young diplomats from countries which MEDAC has had a long-standing traditional relationship such as Tunisia, Egypt and the Palestinian Authority and also diplomats from countries that are represented for the first time, namely Iraq and Ukraine. This year's student body also includes scholars from China, Estonia, Latvia, Turkey, Bulgaria, Greece, Hungary, the Netherlands and Malta.

More information on MEDAC can be found on its Website http://home.um.edu.mt/medac/