The University of Malta acclaimed Professor Richard E. Rubenstein’s unstinting efforts to promote the peaceful and enduring resolution of conflict throughout the world by promoting interfaith dialogue, intercultural understanding and positive peace with "principled passion, splendid humaneness and incisive intelligence."

In his oration about Professor Richard E. Rubenstein, Dr Omar Grech, from the University's Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies, stated that at a time when the public sphere was witnessing a retreat from the politics of persuasion, dialogue and kindness in favour of the politics of rancour, division and spite, the decision by the University of Malta to confer an honorary doctorate on Professor Richard Rubenstein was particularly appropriate.

Dr Grech recalled that Professor Rubenstein was a graduate of two of the most distinguished universities in the world: the University of Harvard (twice over) and the University of Oxford - two renowned institutions amongst the oldest in the world. Dr Grech pointed out that although the University of Malta was younger than Oxford, it was older than Harvard, having been first established as the Collegium Melitensis in 1592. "This is a fact which, I am sure, Professor Rubenstein will enjoy pointing out to his Harvard friends," Dr Grech mused with a smile. Dr Grech said that Rubenstein's work "acquires special resonance at a time when efforts at rediscovering the commonalities between the great religions that were born in the Mediterranean are more needed than ever". In his numerous opinion pieces in the Maltese press, Professor Rubenstein exudes love for Malta and its people, belief in Malta’s vocation as a peace-maker and optimism in Malta’s diverse capacities. His firm belief in Malta’s peace-making vocation twinned with the vision of the University of Malta as an ideal locus to practise conflict resolution, led Professor Rubenstein to propose a partnership between The School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution, George Mason University (S-CAR) and the University of Malta. This proposal led to the creation of the joint M.A. degree in Conflict Resolution and Mediterranean Security, which combines S-CAR’s faculty with the faculty of the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies. Now in its seventh year, the programme has already seen over 80 alumni successfully complete an intense but rewarding programme that has put the University of Malta on the conflict resolution map.

RICHARD ENGLAND

The University acclaimed Professor Richard England’s significant contribution to the art and discipline of architecture, in Malta and internationally, through his architectural creations, but also through his prolific writing and publications, his lectures, his poetry and photography; through his role as the foremost architectural ambassador of Malta, to all the corners of the world and, not least, through his continuing engagement with young architectural talents.

Professor Alex Torpiano, Dean, Faculty for the Built Environment delivered his oration about Professor England, whereby he recalled the latter’s stature nationally and internationally.  Since early days, Professor England has worked together with world-famous architects. Between 1987 and 1989 he was appointed as Dean of the Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering.

Professor Torpiano said that over the years, he learned a number of important lessons from Richard England. The first was the importance of quality and attention to detail, that came through in all he did. The second lesson was the need for courage, since an architect’s work was never hidden.  The third important lesson was that of mentorship and friendship, giving young students direction to guide their aspirations.

Professor Torpiano pointed out that Richard England was also the only local architect whose works have been “scheduled”, whilst still professionally active.

This year represents 100 years from the first course of studies in architecture at the University of Malta, leading to the degree. “What better way to mark this centenary, than by this celebration? Today is a very special moment for the Faculty; with a very special way of marking it,” concluded Professor Torpiano.

JOSEPH BORG

As Malta prepares to chair the Council of Ministers of the European Union, the University of Malta acclaimed Dr Joseph Borg's significant contribution for his effective leadership during the negotiations leading to Malta’s accession to the European Union. Moreover, as Head of the Malta-EU Steering and Action Committee and as leader of Malta’s negotiating team, Dr Borg piloted Malta’s journey to secure more than seventy transitional arrangements and derogations from the acquis communautaire, later serving as Malta’s first European Commissioner, holding the portfolio of Fisheries and Maritime Affairs.

In his oration about Dr Borg, Dr Mark Harwood, Director of the University of Malta’s Institute for European Studies, recalled that when Dr Joseph Borg was born in the 1950s, Malta was still a British colony and still bore the scars of the Second World War. "In less than a month, Malta will assume the rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU," Dr Harwood stated, "We will be assigned responsibility for brokering compromise amongst 28 countries, countries which in the past often controlled our destiny or the destiny of the Mediterranean in which we live. Through EU membership we now share responsibility to protect the interests of the 500 million people residing in our Union. EU membership is the most significant event in recent Maltese history and it is fitting that we should honour Dr Borg in this context, as a central player in our road to EU membership and the consolidation of our position within the institutions post membership."

With the reactivation of Malta’s application in 1998, Dr Borg returned to the heart of Malta-EU relations, first as Parliamentary Secretary within Foreign Affairs and then Minister for Foreign Affairs in 1999. There was no clear consensus amongst the Maltese in favour of joining the EU, but under Dr Borg, the process represented the most comprehensive and ambitious consultation exercise in Maltese political history.

However, Dr Harwood argued, an even greater achievement was Dr Borg's role post-membership, his important contribution to Malta’s relations with the Commission, and his particular contribution to the Union’s maritime and fisheries policies. Dr Borg’s appointment as the first Maltese Commissioner can be read as setting the tone for Malta's participation within the institution and the Commission’s perception of Malta as a Member State.

Dr Harwood also pointed out that those who worked closest with Dr Borg, both in academia and during his time with the Maltese Government and the Commission, consistently noted that he was a man of dialogue, someone who ‘likes to co-create with those around him’