Over 50 delegates from English-Speaking Union (ESU) member countries around the world are expected to arrive in Malta this week, led by Lord Watson of Richmond, Chairman Emeritus of the ESU International Council, for the official inauguration of the ESU of Malta.
"This week's events are the culmination of more than a year's preparation by the steering committee of the English-Speaking Union of Malta," ESU Malta chairman Martin Scicluna said. "They will also serve as a showcase of the potential contribution of the ESU to Malta at grass-roots level and promote international understanding through English."
Lord Watson will be one of the speakers at the inauguration, being held on Friday morning at the Radisson Blu Resort, St Julian's. The other speakers from ESU are International Council President Prof. Arne Zettersten and Michael Lake, CBE, director general.
Also addressing the ceremony are Education Minister Dolores Cristina, British High Commissioner Louise Stanton, Maltese High Commissioner to the UK, Joseph Zammit Tabona, and Mr Scicluna. Ms Cristina and Lord Watson will then witness the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding establishing ESU Malta.
There will then be presentations on the Arm of Support project, with recitations by children from Żabbar Primary School; public speaking by students from St Martin's College, St Aloysius' College and Verdala International School on the theme 'Aspects of Malta'; and University students will conduct a brief debate on the motion 'This House would argue that money is worthless'.
On Friday evening, Ms Stanton is hosting the ESU delegates to a reception at the British High Commissioner's residence in San Pawl tat-Tarġa during which the ESU flag will officially be handed over to ESU Malta. Saturday is dedicated to sightseeing, with a morning tour to Valletta and another to Mdina in the afternoon.
The Gozo branch of ESU Malta will be inaugurated on Sunday. The delegates and ESU Malta committee members will be hosted at the Ministry for Gozo after a brief walking tour of Victoria. The ceremony will be addressed by Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono, Lord Watson, Prof. Zettersten, Mr Scicluna and the president of the Gozo Branch, Joseph Grech.
Following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, the ESU flag will be presented to the Gozo branch. The winning essays in a competition by Gozitan schoolchildren will be read, with the prizes presented by Lord Watson, followed by a discussion by Gozitan students on the Eco-Gozo concept. In the afternoon, the delegates will be taken on a tour of Gozo, including Ġgantija.
ESU Malta is operating from premises in Dingli Street, Sliema, while the Gozo branch has its premises at the Gozo Business Chamber.
Apart from piloting several initiatives, including the Arm of Support, public speaking and debating for students, it offers English in Action courses and specialised open and in-house courses.
Maltese students are given the opportunity to attend scholarships in the UK, with three scheduled to attend Shakespeare courses and international relations courses this summer.