Final report of the intergovernmental meeting for the establishment of an international Mediterranean intercultural centre in the Republic of Malta

Abstract

On a suggestion put forward by UNESCO, a meeting of experts from countries bordering the Central-Western Mediterranean was held in Malta between 11 and 14 September 1978, in which it was proposed that an International Centre for Mediterranean Culture be opened in Malta, and this proposal was made jointly by Tunisia and Malta, and later adopted unanimously. Although at the said meeting it was decided that this centre would be opened to countries bordering the Central-Western Mediterranean, it was also agreed that it would, at a later stage, be opened to other countries situated on the Eastern side of the Mediterranean. The General Conference of UNESCO at its twentieth session (held in October-November 1978), while approving the setting up of such a centre authorised the Director-General "to assist the countries in the subregion to set up a Mediterranean Cultural Centre in Malta : (a) to foster awareness of the Mediterranean cultural heritage; (b) to further its development; (c) and to this end to organise and sponsor cultural activities with the participation of all interested Mediterranean States". To this end, Statutes have been drafted referring particularly to countries bordering the Central-Western Mediterranean Sea, but it may, at many time, be opened for signature, and adhesion, to other countries in the Mediterranean area.