New peace, conflict studies chair at Medac

A new German chair for peace and conflict studies in the Mediterranean has been established at the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies (Medac) at the University through an accord between the academy and the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD), the German academic exchange service.

The agreement setting up the academic post was signed between Medac director Stephen Calleya and DAAD secretary general Christian Bode.

President Emeritus and Medac chairman Guido de Marco highlighted the academy's role during the past two decades to promote better understanding of Mediterranean affairs in international relations. He said the German chair would strengthen postgraduate academic training of diplomats from the Mediterranean area and beyond. It would also generate further interest among academics and policy makers in peace and conflict studies, which are of strategic importance in Mediterranean relations, he added.

German Ambassador Karl Andreas von Stenglin described the chair as another milestone in German-Maltese academic co-operation, following the setting up of the German Department at the University last October.

Ambassador von Stenglin said the German government recognises Medac as a pivotal instrument in achieving closer relations and co-operation between Mediterranean countries, Europe, the Middle East, Northern Africa and beyond.