With the presence of Prof. Dr. Norbert Lammert, Former President of the German Parliament (Bundestag) and Chairman of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), the Regional Program Political Dialogue South Mediterranean of KAS (KAS PolDiMed) and the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies (MEDAC) jointly organized, from 9 to 11 October, the Second Annual KAS MEDAC Alumni Circle in St. Julian's, Malta—a conference designed to connect KAS-MEDAC scholars and alumni together with decision makers and experts from both shores of the Mediterranean to stimulate dialogue on the key prospects pertaining to the Euro-Mediterranean relations.
This year, the title of the alumni conference was: “Euro-Mediterranean relations in changing times – Shifting alliances and new dynamics” and it discussed how the economy develops, and how migration and mobility create new approaches to cooperation between the European and Southern Mediterranean countries.
The governance of regional migration has posed one of the most daunting challenges facing the Mediterranean countries during the last years. In the first panel, the discussants tackled the root causes of migration, the role of sending, transit, and receiving countries, the issue of Trafficking In Persons, and the need for more intra- and interregional cooperation policies in the field of migration management for the mutual benefits of the European and Southern Mediterranean countries.
On the economic developments, the speakers of the second panel discussed how the governments in the region have attempted to navigate the economic crisis and how the external actors could support or undermine the efforts to tackle the deep economic grievances that are at the heart of social tensions. The discussion also examined whether the international financial institutions can provide assistance in accordance with the conditions and interests of the developing countries.
The conference concluded with a formal dinner that had Hon. Dr. Angelo Farrugia, the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Malta, Prof. Dr. Norbert Lammert, Chairman of the KAS foundation, and Prof. Alfred J. Vella, the rector of the University of Malta as keynote speakers. By the end of the ceremony, the 2022-2023 KAS MEDAC Alumni received certificates of recognition.
KAS and MEDAC offer scholarships annually to deserving young professionals from the MENA region to pursue a Masters in Diplomacy degree at the Academy. The Master of Diplomacy (M.Dip.) programme is destined primarily for young diplomats and other students wishing to pursue an international career.
