President Eddie Fenech Adami received Anthony de Bono, chairman of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation, and Dr Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, chief executive officer of the CTO, who are attending the Malta CHOGM meetings. The courtesy call was held on Tuesday at the Palace, Valletta.
The discussions centred on how Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) could be used to accelerate the development of Commonwealth countries and the role the CTO is playing to network the Commonwealth.
President Fenech Adami remarked on the rapid developments that have taken place in ICT since the 1960s when he first bought a calculator and the potential developing countries now have to 'leap-frog' intermediate technologies and adapt cutting-edge solutions to their ICT problems.
Echoing the President, Dr Spio-Garbrah, a former Minister of Communications of Ghana, noted that in some developing countries, especially in Africa, the challenge of development is so dire that what those countries needed was to run faster than a cheetah and jump higher than a pole-vaulter in overcoming various barriers using ICTs. Hence the need for them to "cheetah-pole-vault" the digital divide so as to bridge it.
Order of St Lazarus grand investiture
A fitting conclusion to a hectic week of administrative, cultural and social functions of the Military and Hospitaller Order of St Lazarus of Jerusalem was the investiture and gala dinner-dance on November 12.
A Grand Magisterial Council meeting - held every two years in different countries - where the Supreme Council and Heads of Jurisdiction from various countries meet in a different country every two years - was held at the New Dolmen Resort Hotel.
Members from Malta, Austria, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland took a very active part.
The investiture ceremony, superbly organised by the Grand Priory of the Maltese Islands started with Mass at the University Church. Celebrated by the senior chaplain, Fr Thomas Moore, OFM Conv., the Mass was enhanced by the singing of the Pembroke parish choir. Ten postulants were admitted in the ancient Order, among them four doctors and the well-known mezzo-soprano Marie-Therese Vassallo.
Promotions and Merit awards were then awarded to Dr Charles Savona Ventura (Commander), Joseph Griscti (Knight of Merit), Dame Helen Attard Meli (Dame of Merit) and Chev. Dr Joseph Pace (Golden Cross of Merit).
Presiding over the ceremony, besides the grand prior, were Dr Friedrich Schuberth, grand chancellor and Chev. Reginald S. Attard, vicar-general.
Others officiating at the investiture were Chev. Michael Ciavola, chancellor, Chev. Paul Banavage, vice-chancellor international, Chev. Tony C. Cutajar, vice-chancellor (administration) and Chev. Joseph Spiteri Audibert, marshal.
Uniformed members of the Special Rescue Group - St Lazarus Corps, under Cdr Field Marshal David Zammit, formed a guard of honour outside the church for the dignitaries and the great number of overseas participants, including those from the United Grand Priories of England and Wales and the Hospitallers of St Lazarus, led by their Master General, Fra John G.K.M. Baron Dudley von Sydow von Hoff. The guard of honour was repeated at the Dolmen Hotel, where the cadets were later inspected by the Field Marshal and the Grand Prior (Maltese Islands) and presented with the commemorative medal issued for the occasion.
A superb dinner interspersed with speeches was followed by dancing to the melodies of an eight-strong band led by Mro Joe Brown. During the dinner, Chev. Paul Banavage, as Commander of the Commandery of Gozo, presented the sum of Lm1,000 to Marisa Xuereb, president of the Step-by-Step Foundation, an organisation affiliated to the Grand Priory and set up to help brain-injured children.
An unplanned and unprecedented grand finale was the singing of popular tunes by Marie-Therese Vassallo and by the grand prior himself, formerly known by the stage name of Ray Ritardo. This was greatly appreciated and warmly applauded by all those present.
All overseas participants commented on the hospitality and good organisation of the local Grand Priory, and the benefits gained for the Order and its aims for the future. Director-general of the entire Grand Magisterial event was Chev. Michael Ciavola.
Presentation of credentials by new Ambassador to Croatia
The new Ambassador of Malta to Croatia, Ray Mercieca, presented his credentials to President Stjepan Mesic in Zagreb on November 15.
The Croatian President welcomed Ambassador Mercieca and wished him success in his new duties.
Expressing his appreciation, Ambassador Mercieca conveyed the greetings of the Maltese authorities and restated Malta's support for Croatia's bid to join the European Union. He also referred to Malta's readiness, based on its EU negotiation experience, to assist Croatia in this area.
During the ceremony, Ambassador Mercieca made a short address highlighting the excellent relations between both countries as well as on using these ties to identify and take advantage of future possibilities for cooperation.
President Mesic was accompanied by Tomislav Jakic, Foreign Affairs adviser, Marija Pejèinovic, Buric, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, and Boris Prem, Chief of Staff of the Office of the President.
Ambassador Mercieca was accompanied by his wife Tania and by Joanne Mercieca, First Secretary and Head of the Europe Section at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malta.
M Magazine sends winner to UK
Joanne Vella from Mgarr is the winner of two flights to the UK, after her letter to M magazine was selected from the scores sent in.
Roseanne Dalli from Air Malta presented Ms Vella with the air tickets at the Mediamaker offices in Valletta.
Air Malta is once again offering two free flights for the winning letter in the next edition of M, out with The Sunday Times next week. A number of other prizes will also be on offer.
Printed by Progress Press Ltd and produced by MediaMaker, M is edited by Herman Grech and designed by Marco Scerri.
Paul Mitchell goes 'Super Strong'
Lifestyle Limited, agents for Paul Mitchell, recently launched their new product line 'Super Strong' to over 250 hair stylists at Torre Paulina in Madliena.
Also on the night, Lifestyle Limited presented nine Paul Mitchell Salon Awards to the owners of Clare's Salon, Final Touch, Gino Rodriguez, Highlight Zone, Hairmaker, Michael & Guy, Michelle's Salon and Cuts & Curls.
The 2005 Paul Mitchell Award for the Best Salon was awarded to Charles Debono of Cardez Salons.
The Super Strong line, a three-part strengthening system, has been independently tested and has been proved to strengthen hair that has been damaged by the environment, heat styling, colouring and bleaching.
The Super Strong complex consists of fibre-strengthening vegetable proteins, extracts of nettle, watercress, shave grass and cherry bark.
The range includes shampoo, conditioner and weekly treatment and is available from selected hairdressing salons.
Soroptimists' fund-raising barbecue
Soroptimist International, a service organisation of professional women, accredited to the United Nations, recently held a barbecue as a fund-raising activity in the beautiful residence of Janatha Stubbs at Tarxien.
It was a very enjoyable evening with good food and plenty of wine. The fund-raising committee worked hard for this event and the money collected during such activities went to Ir-Razzett tal-Hbiberija and Dar Guzeppa Debono in Gozo.
Every year, Soroptimist International, which seeks to foster women's rights for all, equally and peacefully in a spirit of friendship and service, is involved in many aspects of community life.
Round Table 2 chairman's reception
The incoming chairman of Round Table (Malta) 2 outlined his action plan for this service club last Thursday week at the chairman's reception at the Corinthia Palace, Attard.
Chris Vassallo Cesareo, Round Table (Malta) 2 chairman, said the main focus of the Table's charitable activities this year will be contributing to building a resource room at Dar it-Tama, a non-profit organisation that assists both children and adults in learning how to read and write.
"The added benefit of this room is that it will also satisfy the needs of several other charitable organisations in the area, such as the Sisters of Mother Teresa which caters for approximately 50 children," he said.
"Some 150 children in all are expected to benefit from this resource centre," he added.
Round Table 2's main fund-raising event is the annual New Year's Eve gala dinner at the Le Meridien Phoenicia Ballroom, which is open to non-members. This consists of a welcome drink, four-course dinner, half bottle of water, coffee, glass of sparkling wine and disco music throughout the evening. Price: Lm24.50 per person.
The second fund-raiser follows on from this year's successful summer fund-raiser at Cirkewwa, held on the Santa Marija weekend, where members collected donations from the numerous travellers. A similar fund-raising effort will also be held in 2006.
Round Table (Malta) 2, which was chartered in 1980, is one of three clubs in the Malta Association of Round Tables. The clubs are made up of young men aged 30 to 40 who meet twice a month throughout the year, once a month for a business meeting and once a month for a fellowship.
Other events throughout the year are the Ladies' Night in mid-February, the Cookery night in August and the Katina Cup football tournament in October.
The two honorary members of the club this year are Ian De Cesare, who was a founder of Round Table International and helped write its constitution, and Francis Cachia Caruana.
For further information about the club and its activities, or if you want to enquire about membership, visit their Website www.rt2malta.com
People
Fleurette Cocks, 30, of Mosta has just obtained an M.Sc. in International Marketing from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland.
The dissertation submitted by Ms Cocks, who was educated at Our Lady Immaculate School in Hamrun, was entitled "Malta's Indigenous Food Industry: Strategies for Growth".
She obtained her Master's after having achieved a Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing with the Chartered Institute of Marketing in the UK in 2002.
Carmen-Maria Fyfe (née Seychell) received her Doctorate in Philosophy from Aberdeen University yesterday. Dr Fyfe, who is originally from Zejtun, has not lost her Maltese identity, even though she has lived in Britain for many years, so much so that her thesis was a comparative study between Maltese and Scottish children: "Development of National Identity in Scottish and Maltese Children".
The thesis, with the use of psychological theories, looks at how children construct their attitudes of people from different countries; looking at national identities, in-group and out-group favouritism, stereotypes and prejudice development.
Dr Fyfe's thesis is all the more pertinent with all the social changes globally, in recent years we have seen the demise of the former Soviet Union with great political and social upheaval with the resurrection of many "new" states, such as Azerbaijan, Ukraine, and the Baltic States.
In contrast, globalisation has led to greater co-operation between nations, resulting in the growth of international institutions - United Nations, NATO, and the European Union. Membership of such institutions may compromise decision-making power of the individual countries parliaments and slowly erode national identities - an important issue for Malta with our recent EU membership.
Dr Fyfe lectures in Social Psychology at the Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen (c.fyfe@rgu.ac.uk). She hopes to give a presentation at the University of Malta next year.
Karl Gollcher, consul-general for Sweden in Malta, was recently conferred the distinction of Commander of the Royal Order of the Polar Star by King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden. The presentation of the decoration was performed by Swedish Ambassador Fredrik Vahlquist at a reception held in Malta on November 15. The Gollcher family has represented Swedish interests in Malta since 1874.
For your diary
The annual general meeting of the Malta Adlerian Psychology Association is being held at the Curia in Floriana (entrance from Lion Street) on Tuesday at 6.30 p.m. Br Saviour Gatt will be leading a short discussion on Adlerian psychology as an introduction to the general meeting.
The Malta Hospice Movement is organising a Christmas bazaar to collect the much needed funds to continue offering palliative care services free of charge to cancer and motor neuron disease patients and their families. The bazaar, at 39 Good Shepherd Avenue, Balzan, will be opened from Wednesday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. To offer new items contact the Hospice Movement on 2144-0085/6 for further information.
An annual Yuletide dinner is being organised by the Association of Lyceum Past Students at the Radisson SAS Golden Sands Resort and Spa on Friday at 8 p.m. The price per person is Lm8.75. Tel./fax: 2138-6812, e-mail: studiomoda@global.net.mt.
The fund-raising committee of Christ the King parish is organising an annual Christmas bazaar in support of various philanthropic and religious functions at the parish hall, from Saturday to December 11 from 9 a.m. to noon and from 4 to 8 p.m.
The St Dorothy's junior school, Zebbug, are putting up their annual fair on Sunday. There will be gifts, games, food, Father Christmas, abseiling and more.
A card party in aid of the Little Sisters of the Poor will be held at the Preluna Hotel, Sliema, on December 7 from 10 a.m. For bookings call Blanche Martin on 2133-0387.
CaritAs Co-operators are holding their annual Christmas dinner-dance at the Spinola Suite of the Hilton Hotel on December 9 at 8 for 8.30 p.m. The lively band of "Quacks" will be in attendance. The annual super lottery will be drawn during the evening. For more information and bookings contact Marilouise Mifsud on 2133-0471, Phyllis Ciappara on 2134-2910 or Josephine Farrugia on 2132-0016.
Body Shop wristband in aid of Caritas
On the occasion of World Aids Day, on Thursday, the Body Shop Malta has launched a fund-raising initiative in favour of Caritas Malta through the sale of the "Until there is a Cure" red wristband produced by Body Shop International as a reminder of those who are still fighting HIV/AIDS.
A total of 2000 wristbands will be sold through the four stores in Malta and Gozo.
The Body Shop has chosen Caritas Malta's Xefaq Service as the beneficiary. Xefaq falls within the Caritas Malta Counselling and Social Work Intervention Unit and offers pre- and post-HIV-test counselling, as well as advice regarding sexually transmitted infections.
Vodafone supports charity fun run
Vodafone is supporting the 16th edition of the fun run organised by the St Theresa Junior Lyceum in Mriehel. This year's fun run will be held on Thursday at 12.45 p.m.
Over 1,200 students are dedicating their free time to collect funds for this year's two-kilometre fun run. The donations collected will go to Caritas (Malta), Id-Dar tal-Providenza and the Mriehel Girls' School Benevolent Fund.
The President and Mrs Fenech Adami's engagements November 28-December 4
Tomorrow
11 a.m. The President is interviewed by Professor Henry Frendo for a programme in the PBS series L-Istorja minn wara l-Kwinti, entitled Mill-Indipendenza sar-Repubblika at San Anton Palace.
Tuesday
11 a.m. The President receives the members of the National Commission Persons with Disability on the occasion of Disability Week at the Palace, Valletta.
Noon The President and Mrs Fenech Adami receive Fr Charles Vella and are presented with a Bambin tal-gradenza at San Anton Palace.
6.30 p.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami attend a thanksgiving Mass organised by the University of Malta on the occasion of Graduation 2005 at St John's Co-Cathedral.
Wednesday
10 a.m. The President receives the Ambassador of The Netherlands, Rienko Wilton, on a farewell call at the Palace, Valletta.
10.45 The President receives members of the Assocjazzjoni Pensjonanti Anzjani Nazzjonalisti (APAN).
2 p.m. Mrs Fenech Adami visits an exhibition entitled "China - The Three Emperors" at the Royal Academy of Arts in London.
5.30 p.m. Mrs Fenech Adami attends a reception hosted by the High Commissioner and Mrs Refalo at the High Commission in London.
Thursday
9 a.m. Mrs Fenech Adami visits Maltese patients at a London hospital.
6 p.m. The President presides over a meeting of the Commission for the Administration of Justice at the Palace, Valletta.
Friday
9 a.m. Mrs Fenech Adami visits Maltese patients at a London hospital.
10 The President receives Japanese Ambassador Nobuko Matsubara on a farewell call at the Palace, Valletta.
6.30 p.m. The President attends the inauguration of a crib show organised by the Ghaqda Hbieb tal-Presepju at St Francis Hall, Melita Street, Valletta.
7.30 The President attends the inauguration of the BoV retrospective exhibition of Joseph Casha at the BoV Centre, Sliema.
8.30 The President attends the annual reception hosted by the president of the Malta Chamber of Commerce and Mrs Apap Bologna at The Exchange, Valletta.
Saturday
6 p.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami attend the inauguration of the Music Project at the Arka Respite Centre, Ghajnsielem.
7 The President attends the Youth of the Year Award organised by the OASI Foundation at Ta' Cenc Hotel, Sannat.
8.15 The President and Mrs Fenech Adami attended a performance of Giordano's opera, Fedora, organised by the Leone Band Club at the Aurora Theatre, Gozo.