Moviment Graffitti is running Harmony In Diversity, a programme that forms part of the EU Youth Programme.
The aim of Harmony In Diversity is to facilitate inclusion of illegal immigrants in Maltese society through a series of seminars, food tasting activities and a musical event which emphasise multiculturalism.
The programme was launched with a photographic exhibition entitled 1,000 Families by renowned German photographer Uwe Ommer. The exhibition is supported by NGO Kopin and lasts until Sunday. It is open from 4 to 7 p.m. every day, at 60A, Strait Street Valletta.
The following seminars will take place in October:
EU Law And Democracy - delivered by MIC representatives, on October 7 at 5 p.m. at the Marsa Open Centre and on October 8 at 3 p.m. at Hal Far Open Centre.
Poverty In Africa And Europe's Role - delivered by Vince Caruana on October 14 at 5 p.m. at the Marsa Open Centre and October 15 at 3 p.m. at Hal Far Open Centre.
Sharing Experiences: An Interactive Discussion Of Experiences Of Integration - delivered by Harmony in Diversity coordinators, on October 21 at 3 p.m, at Freedom Square, Valletta, on October 22 at 5 p.m. at the Marsa Open Centre and on October 29 at 5 p.m. at Hal Far Open Centre.
The public is invited to attend for free. The seminars will be of specific interest to NGOs and policy makers.
Immigrant participants of the professional food handling course will then cook in food tasting sessions every Sunday during November at Dar Frate Francesco in Mannarino Road, Birkirkara, between 5 and 7 p.m. The public may attend these sessions for free and savour African cuisine.
The cooks involved in the food tasting sessions will also take part in Celebrating Harmony In Diversity Through Music And Cuisine, which is the main event of the project. This event will take place on December 16 on the University Campus at Tal-Qroqq. Musicians and other performers of various nationalities will be participating.
The project will be finalised by the production of a calendar for 2008 that will include photographs of the daily lives of refugees in Malta. All profits from sales of the calendar will be in aid of NGOs and open centres.
The supporting organisations for the Harmony In Diversity project are Suret il-Bniedem, Dar Qawsalla and Kopin.