Diplomatic academy records large intake

This year's intake on the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies' programmes is one of its largest since it was set up, and includes participants from Tunisia, Egypt, the Palestinian Authority, China, Germany, the Czech Republic, Georgia, Serbia, Turkey, Albania, Jordan, Switzerland, Morocco, Sudan, Tanzania, and Malta.

More than 500 students from over 40 different countries have graduated from Medac since it was established 18 years ago, and several of its alumni are now career diplomats serving in their countries' respective embassies worldwide.

The academy, which is based at the University of Malta campus in Msida, offers postgraduate programmes in international law, international economics, international relations, diplomatic history, and the practice of diplomacy. Medac also regularly organises international conferences, workshops and study visits in collaboration with numerous institutions and governments including the Arab League, Wilton Park, Euromesco, the Geneva Centre for Security Policy, as well as the Tunisian and Egyptian governments. It cooperates closely with the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna.

During the 2008-09 academic year opening ceremony, President Emeritus Guido de Marco, who is also Medac chairman, highlighted the important role diplomats play in international relations and called for diplomats to seek to positively influence relations in the Mediterranean.

Prof. de Marco is also holder of the Jean Monnet Chair in the EU and Dialogue between People and Cultures at Medac, which further strengthens the academy's role to promote dialogue between Mediterranean peoples and cultures. For more information, view the website http://home.um.edu.mt/medac .