On Friday 17th February, 36 students who successfully completed the degree course in Human Rights and Democratisation graduated in a ceremony at the Aula Magna of the Foundation for International Studies, Valletta. They were sponsored by the academic dean of the Mediterranean Master's Programme, Prof. Ian Refalo.

The oration at the ceremony was given by the Hon Chief Justice Emeritus Prof. J.J. Cremona on “Human Rights Documentation in Malta”. He presented a brief history of Malta’s Human Rights record explaining that the first Human Rights charters in Malta were adopted early in the 19th Century shortly after the start of British rule and concluding that Malta can boast of a proud record of adoption of the major Human Rights Charters and treaties.

Ms Nisrine Bou Karam from Lebanon spoke on behalf of the graduating students and explained how her sometimes difficult experience in following a demanding Masters’ degree course in Malta followed by project-sponsored placements and internships abroad laid the foundation for her immensely satisfying and rewarding current work with a leading human rights organisation in her home country. In her name and that of the other graduands, she thanked the organisers and partner institutions in the Programme in Human Rights and Democratisation for allowing her the opportunity to learn and develop her interest in the field of Human Rights.

On this occasion, 15 institutions, partnering the University of Malta in the organization of this course, met in Malta and also attending the graduation of many of the students they had guided over the project sponsored research at their universities and centres.

With the graduation of another group of students, the aim of the Master's Programme to train a number of young persons from Southern Mediterranean countries who will have influence in their countries in the building up of a human rights culture was amply fulfilled. The Mediterranean Master's was introduced in academic year 2000/01 and this year’s students are the sixth intake; so far more than 150 students have graduated from the course.

The academic programme of the Mediterranean Master's Programme in Human Rights and Democratisation is managed by the Faculty of Laws of the University of Malta while the administrative and logistical aspects are handled by the Foundation for International Studies of the University of Malta. Thanks to the generous sponsorship of the European Commission, a number of scholarships are awarded each year. These scholarships are available to students from Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Jordan, Syria, Israel, Lebanon, Cyprus, Turkey, Egypt, Libya, Palestine, Iran, Iraq and Malta. For further information, please contact: antonella.vassallo@fis.org.mt

Photo Album - Graduation Ceremony 2006