Award of the International Ocean Institute’s Elisabeth Mann Borgese Medal to Professor Alfred J. Vella - Rector, University of Malta
The International Ocean Institute (IOI), established in 1972 and head-quartered in the premises of the University of Malta, decided, through unanimous decision of the Board of Governors, to confer on Professor Alfred J. Vella - Rector, University of Malta - the IOI’s Elisabeth Mann Borgese Medal in recognition of his invaluable support of the IOI and its capacity development, education and training programmes offered in Malta.
The award ceremony was held at the Valletta Campus of the University of Malta. Present at the ceremony were Dr Awni Behnam, Honorary President of the IOI; the Registrar, and the Pro-Rectors of the University of Malta; Ambassador Simone Borg and Professor Louis F. Cassar, IOI Governors; Ms Antonella Vassallo, Managing Director of IOI HQ; and Professor Alan Deidun, Director of the IOI-Malta Training Centre. The celebration was also attended by current beneficiaries of ocean governance training in Malta following the IOI Training Programme on Regional Ocean Governance for the Mediterranean, Black, Baltic and Caspian Seas, and the students following the M.A. Degree in Ocean Governance offered jointly by the Faculty of Laws at the University of Malta and the IOI.
Citation: In memory of Elisabeth Mann Borgese the Board of Governance of IOI has decided to award the Elisabeth Mann Borgese medal to Professor Alfred J Vella - Rector, University of Malta for his support of the IOI and its capacity development, education and training programmes throughout his term of office as Pro-Rector for Academic Affairs of the University of Malta, and as a member of the IOI Board of Governors. The award recognizes specifically his dedication and foresight in the championing of the Master of Arts Degree in Ocean Governance, jointly implemented with the Faculty of Laws and the IOI at the University of Malta, and his input and guidance in academic issues for the IOI’s strategic plan of action of 2014 and beyond
On behalf of the IOI, Dr Awni Behnam extended words of welcome, and spoke of the IOI’s appreciation of the support of Professor Vella over the years of his association with the IOI’s education and training programmes.
The IOI Governing Board, as a sign of gratitude, has recognised the extent that your support and encouragement contributed to the completion of our founder’s mission and to the empowerment of the institution she created and hosted in this illustrious University, thus making a difference through education and capacity building to the preservation of the Common Heritage of our Ocean and its Sustainability.
Another speech of appreciation was made by Professor Simone Borg, Ambassador for Malta on climate action and ocean governance and Representative of the Government of Malta to the IOI Governing Board. Mr Cosmin Chivu spoke on behalf of his colleagues, the IOI alumni and training programme participants.
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Elisabeth Mann Borgese (April 24, 1918 - February 8, 2002), founded the International Ocean Institute (IOI) in 1972 as a knowledge-based non-governmental, non-profit international organization devoted to the sustainable development of the oceans. The IOI works to uphold and expand the principles enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea for the benefit of humankind as a whole, with particular consideration of the poor. The mission of the International Ocean Institute is to promote education, training and research to enhance the peaceful uses of ocean space and its resources, their management and regulation as well as the protection and conservation of the marine environment, guided by the principle of the Common Heritage of Mankind.
In her memory the Board of Governance of IOI decided to award the Elisabeth Mann Borgese medal to recognise outstanding actions in favour of our global oceans. Past notable recipients of the EMB medal have been:
Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindorn of Thailand
H.E. Kofi A Annan, Secretary General of UN;
H.E. Ban Ki-Moon HE Secretary General of the United Nations
President Emeritus of Portugal, Prof. Mario Soares;
President Emeritus of Malta, Prof. Guido De Marco
The Hon. Mr Geoff Regan, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans of Canada;
Dr Joseph Borg, former EU Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries
The IOI’s Training and Capacity Development Programme The respect for common goods, the peaceful and sustainable use of ocean services and resources, the common heritage of the high seas and the need to support and empower people and countries in managing their relations with the ocean in a sustainable manner remains the ethical and moral foundation of the IOI. Since its foundation, the IOI has trained young practitioners, particularly from developing countries and countries in transition, and contributes towards a growing global network of trained and empowered leaders fully conversant with the latest developments in Ocean Governance.
Programmes held in Malta
Contact
Antonella Vassallo, Managing Director
International Ocean Institute Headquarters
P.O. Box 3, Tal-Qroqq, Msida MSD 2080, MALTA, EUROPE
Tel: +356 21 346 528/9 E: ioihq@ioihq.org.mt
