Heard in the Hive

In one of his last official engagements before leaving Malta at the end of his tour of duty last Friday, British High Commissioner Sir Vincent Fean, and Lady Anne Fean, hosted a reception at their residence, Villa Degiorgio, in San Pawl tat-Targa, on...

In the course of the evening, Sir Vincent invested Mr Mizzi with the insignia and medal of Honorary Officer in the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE), an honour awarded to him by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, in recognition of Mr Mizzi's "valuable service to business relations between Malta and Britain".

Before reading out the citation, Sir Vincent gave some biographical details about Mr Mizzi, who is 78, enumerating the various chairmanships and important posts he held in business and industry in his 60-year business career, among them chairman of HSBC Bank Malta - the flagship UK company in Malta - since 1999, chairman of Air Malta, Sea Malta, Malta Council for Economic and Social Development, the MIDI consortium, the Malta Development Corporation, and various other prestigious posts, besides the family-owned businesses.

Sir Vincent conveyed the personal congratulations of Her Majesty and Prince Philip, and added his own and of Lady Fean.

After the investiture, Sir Vincent proposed a champagne toast to Mr Mizzi, who then reciprocated with a short speech expressing his gratitude to Her Majesty and the British Government for honouring him with the award, and to his wife and family for their constant support.

Among those present were Mr Mizzi's wife Elda, his son Dr Alec Mizzi and his wife Bernie, and other members of his family, and numerous friends and other guests, including Investments Minister Austin Gatt, former Maltese High Commissioner to Britain, Dr George Bonello Du Puis and Mrs Bonello Du Puis, Malta's Permanent Representative to the European Commission, Richard Cachia Caruana, Dr Simon Busuttil, MEP, HSBC Malta chief executive Shaun Wallis, Bank of Valletta CEO Tonio Depasquale, Central Bank Governor Michael Bonello, Chev. Maurice Mizzi, Mgr Victor Grech, and Chief Justice Emeritus Professor Giuseppe Mifsud Bonnici.

Last Wednesday, Sir Vincent and Lady Fean hosted a farewell reception at Villa Degiorgio, which was attended by hundreds of guests and well-wishers, led by President and Mrs Fenech Adami, and including the Prime Minister, Dr Lawrence Gonzi.

Sir Vincent will be taking up his new post as British Ambassador to Libya sometime in May. He will be succeeded as British High Commissioner in Malta by Nicholas Archer, who is expected to arrive on the island in March.

HSBC fund entertains refugee children

Maltese society's concern for the welfare of children was once again demonstrated through a special party for some 50 young children who have been granted refugee or temporary humanitarian status.

More than a time to relax and enjoy the food and entertainment provided, the party, sponsored by the HSBC Cares for Children Fund, gave the children the opportunity to feel cared for and loved.

"World Refugee Day helps us to focus on the real suffering which forces people to leave their home countries in search of a better future," the fund's chairperson, Mrs Catherine Gonzi, said.

"Children are among the most vulnerable and frequently the most to suffer from political, religious or ethnic violence. Many people in Malta are involved in helping these youngsters to overcome their traumas and to build a better future for themselves and the HSBC Cares for Children Fund will continue to offer its support, as it does to all other less privileged children in Malta."

French language courses for ministry officials

The French embassy and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Employment last Monday officially launched French language courses for ministry officials working in close connection to European Union institutions.

Education Minister Louis Galea explained that on the initiative of the French embassy, ministry officials can follow courses in French at various levels to enable them to function better with EU-related tasks.

The launch was also presided over by Jean Marc Rives, the French ambassador, who explained how important it was that the two nations continue to develop their already strong relations and that such common ventures were a sure way of strengthening ties.

The launch was also addressed by Stephane Lopez, director of the Direction des Langues et de l'Ecrit, at the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, and Sophie Lovy, deputy head of the Sous-Direction du Français at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who stressed the importance of collaboration and co-operation among different nations.

"French is widely spoken internationally and knowledge of the language is perceived as an asset in many spheres," Minister Galea said. French is the third of the Romance languages in terms of number of speakers. About 180 million people speak French as their mother tongue and also second language speakers who use French for their daily communication.

French is the official language in 29 countries and is also an official or administrative language in various communities and organisations such as the EU and the United Nations.

Maltese on the other hand is spoken in one country by some 400,000 persons - "two very different languages in their dimensions, but of equal importance to the development of their nations."

Dr Galea explained that the teaching of French in Malta has been constantly popular over the years. "We currently have approximately 5,000 students studying French in the state secondary schools and in higher education institutions. The government also employs some 125 teachers in its schools, as well as offering the services of four subject co-ordinators," he said.

The French Resource Centre, under the co-ordination of Education Officer Raymond Facciol, is doing sterling work such as delivering an immersion programme to all students, serving as a documentation area for university students, providing in-service training to teachers, providing the services of a visiting lecturer, as well as, participating fully in EU programmes. Minister Galea explained how the teaching and learning of French is looking to improving its horizons in the near future.

An emphasis is being placed on the use of IT and the teaching of French. The French Resource Centre will also be organising a student exchange programme annually, as well as placing greater emphasis on modernising the teaching of French in Malta.

Ambassador Rives also portrayed the importance given by the French embassy to the teaching and learning of French in Malta. The Alliance Française was set up in 1959 and has offered a variety of courses over the years. In the last three years, it has offered courses to approximately 3,000 Maltese students.

The Alliance Française offers general French language courses, conversation courses, specially designed courses and a course providing for the teaching of EU French. A recent innovation is the provision of courses to children aged seven to 10.

The launch of this initiative also included a cultural programme with excerpts of French reading, an exhibition and a musical interlude organised by the French embassy and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Employment.

Veterinary associations donated microchip scanners

On January 17, the feast of St Anthony the Abbot, the Malta Veterinary Association (MVA) donated four microchip scanners to representatives from the SPCA, the Island Sanctuary, AAA and Noah's Ark Animal Sanctuary in the presence of Dr Duncan Chetcuti Ganado from the Ministry of Rural Affairs and the Environment.

The pet ID scanners read the number of any microchipped animal. In this way, lost, injured or collected animals which were previously microchipped may be reunited with their owners. It is hoped that this will curb the number of abandoned animals on the island and will also prove to be a useful took for the sanctuaries in their constant struggle for the well-being of homeless animals.

During the presentation, MVA president Dr Martin Debattista said that besides the direct help given with the donation of these scanners, the association wished to confirm that vets are there to help such associations and their cause.

Knights of St John hold Yuletide investiture

The Order of St John of Jerusalem, Knights Hospitaller, Russian Grand Priory of Malta and Europe, recently celebrated its annual Yuletide investiture. The ceremony was held at the Order's World Headquarters in Valletta under the presidency of Lt Grand Master Victor M. Xuereb, in the presence of senior officials, members of the Order and distinguished guests.

Grand Commander Chev. Paul M. Borg expressed his gratitude and appreciation to all the Knights and Dames whose unfailing support and generosity make it possible for the Order of St John to carry on with its primary objective of extending its help to those in need. His speech was followed by Mass concelebrated by Fr Alfred Sacco, SDB, and Fr Charles Bugelli, OFM Cap, both prelates of the Order.

Grand Master Xuereb conferred the knighthood on Anthony Abela, M. Werner A. Frye, Sig. Luciano Contigiani, Sig. Maurizio Venuti, Dott. Carlo Rossitto and Don Francisco Rodriguez Velasco, while Sig.ra Rosanna Chiaromonte was created Dame. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the Grand Master awarded a number of promotions for services rendered to the Order.

The event came to an end with the presentation of donations to Id-Dar tal-Providenza, the Salesians of Don Bosco, the Arka Foundation, the Jesus of Nazareth Institute and the St Francis de Paule Home.

The next investiture ceremony will be held in June, on the feast of St John the Baptist, patron of the Order.

VISET staff take up Kilimanjaro Challenge

The employees of VISET plc, the operators at Valletta Waterfront, will join leading personalities on Wednesday to help raise money for the Kilimanjaro Challenge Project.

The employees will not only be taking part in the "Served by the Stars" event at the Waterfront's Heat Diner but will also be giving up their time to help ensure that the organisation of the event runs smoothly.

The Kilimanjaro Challenge Project has already raised Lm26,000 of the Lm38,000 needed to fund the construction of a convent and medical centre in the Ethiopian village of Bulbula. The initial sum was raised by a group of 20 Maltese trekkers who recently reached the Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa at almost 20,000 feet.

Starting at 8 p.m., Served by the Stars will featuremany artists. All the income on the night, which is being organised together with Keith & Co, will go towards the Kilimanjaro Challenge Project.

More information on the Kilimanjaro Challenge Project, including how to donate, is available from the Website www.kilichallenge2.com.

The President and Mrs Fenech Adami's engagements - January 30-February 5

Wednesday
10.30 a.m. The President receives Year 6 students of Anton Cassar Primary School of Ghajnsielem at the Palace, Valletta.

Thursday
9 a.m. The President receives the Prime Minister at the Palace, Valletta.

10 Mrs Fenech Adami presides over a meeting of the working committee of the Malta Community Chest Fund.

Noon Mrs Fenech Adami attends the presentation of a van to the Muscular Dystrophy Association at Dun Guzepp Zammit Brighella Lyceum, Hamrun.

Friday
10.15 a.m. Mrs Fenech Adami pays a visit to Corradino Rehabilitation Centre, Paola.

Saturday
10 a.m. Mrs Fenech Adami pays a visit to the Badminton Marathon in aid of the MCCF at Antonio Bosio Secondary School, Gzira.

Sunday
10.30 a.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami attend Pontifical Mass celebrated by Mgr Mario Grech, Bishop of Gozo, at the Cathedral in Victoria.

7.30 p.m. The President and Mrs Fenech Adami attend a reception on the feast of St Paul at La Valette Band Club in Republic Street, Valletta.

People

Jeanelle Spiteri Cremona, of L-Iklin, has recently obtained an M.Sc. in Research Methods in Psychology from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland.

She obtained her Master's after graduating in Psychology with honours from the University of Malta in 2004.

The dissertation submitted by Ms Spiteri Cremona, who received her education from St Joseph School in Blata l-Bajda, was carried out in Malta.

The study investigated the positive outcomes of the media on adolescents. These findings will be published in an international journal.

For your diary

The International Wives Association is organising the monthly swap shop at Dar l-Emigrant, Valletta, on Wednesday at 9.30 a.m.

A card party in aid of the Little Sisters of the Poor is being held at the Preluna Hotel, Sliema, on Wednesday from 10 a.m. For bookings phone Blanche Martin on 2133-0387.

Ward u zghar is organising a bingo evening at the Çentru Óidma Soçjali, St Venera, on Wednesday at 7 p.m., and a picnic in Birzebbuga on Sunday at 1 p.m. For more information phone 9947-2868.

The Dorothean ex-Alumnae Association is organising its seventh biennial general meeting at St Dorothy's School, Sliema, on Friday at 5 p.m.

The St Joseph School Past Pupils Association (Sliema) is organising a pasta night at the Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza on Friday at 8 p.m. Proceeds are in aid of charity. Phone Moira Tabone on 2135-3444 or Mary Sciortino on 2133-2839 by tomorrow.

Caritas Co-operators are organising a day at The Victoria Hotel on February 8, with welcoming coffee at 10.30 a.m., a talk led by Vanessa Macdonald on "The benefits of journalism" at 11 a.m., Mass at noon and lunch at 1 p.m. For more information and bookings contact Marilouise Mifsud on 2133-0471, Josephine Farrugia on 2132-0016, Phyllis Ciappara on 2134-2910 or Mary Darmanin Demajo on 2131-3486.

The Malta Floral Club is organising a card and games party at the Plaza Hotel, Sliema, on February 14 at 10 a.m. Members and their friends are asked to book early by phoning Lily de' Conti Manduca on 2135-4160 or Monica Chetcuti on 2148-8089