The GMAP team is excited to share that Valletta, Malta is the location of the January 2017 midyear international residency for the Class of 2016-17! Valletta, the capital city, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most concentrated historical centers in the world.
While Malta has only recently gained independence from the British (1964) and joined the European Union (2004), this small island state has over 7,000 years of rich history. A long part of this history includes a succession of powers exerting their control over Malta, including the Phoenicians, Romans, Spanish, and French, in part due to the country’s strategic location at the crossroads of the Mediterranean sea lines. That said, after the seminal 1971 Maltese-UK negotiations, Malta has actually been studied as a classic example of diplomacy and negotiations by a weaker nation engaging a disproportionately stronger counterpart.
Today, Malta’s unique position between three major continents not only makes its harbors some of the busiest in Europe, but on a larger scale, Malta’s history, location, and ties to the EU continue to make the country a major cultural and commercial hub. We are particularly excited that our residency will coincide with the very first time Malta hosts the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. As Malta continues to be of geopolitical importance, it will be exciting to see what kind of agenda the Maltese government will set, and whether it will prioritize issues such as stability in the MENA region, Euro-Mediterranean politics, and creating a deeper and more comprehensive Single Market in the EU.
In short, Malta has been and continues to be a meeting place for dialogue and decision-making, and we look forward to the incredible programming and unique setting this archipelago will offer us during our GMAP alumni weekend, January 13-15, 2017.
Schedule
FRIDAY, JANUARY 13
4:00 – 5:30 p.m. Welcome & Registration
Location: Hotel Lobby
5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Career Panel
Location: Corinthia Ballroom
Speakers:
Monica Smith, GMAP13
Senior Vice President of Global Governance and Site Strategy, State Street
Laurie Burns, GMAP12
Senior Vice President, US Political Risk Product Leader, Willis Towers Watson
Siobhan MacDermott, GMAP13
Senior Vice President Global Cybersecurity Public Policy Executive, Bank of America
Raymond Ressy, GMAP15
Private Sector Adviser, United Kingdom Department for International Development
Moderator:
Deborah Winslow Nutter
Senior Associate Dean, Professor of Practice, GMAP Director
The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy
7:00- 7:45 p.m. Cocktail Reception
Location: Villa Corinthia
7:45 p.m. GMAP Alumni Weekend Opening Dinner
Location: Villa Corinthia
Remarks:
Deborah Winslow Nutter
John Mac Regan, GMAP08
Chair, GMAP Endowment and Annual Fund Group
SATURDAY, JANUARY 14
9:00 – 10:30 a.m. Executive Education Session: Cybersecurity Workshop
Location: Corinthia Ballroom
Facilitator:
Siobhan MacDermott, GMAP13
11:00 a.m. Address
Location: Villa Corinthia
Dr. Joseph Muscat
Prime Minister, Republic of Malta
12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Lunch
Location: Villa Corinthia
1:30 – 5:15 p.m. Tour of Valletta
7:00 p.m. Dinner
Location: Palazzo de Piro, Mdina
Speaker:
Dr. George Vella
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Malta
SUNDAY, JANUARY 15
8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Breakfast Book Conversation with John Mac Regan, GMAP08
Location: Corinthia Ballroom
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Executive Education Session: The Mediterranean in an Evolving World
Location: Corinthia Ballroom
Speakers:
Bettina Muscheidt, GMAP01
EU Head of Delegation to Libya
Igor Pokaz, GMAP03
Former Ambassador of Croatia to both NATO and the Russian Federation
Gabriel Sopanda, GMAP15
Ambassador, Embassy of Romania to the Republic of Turkey
Moderator:
Deborah Winslow Nutter
12:30 – 6:00 p.m. Lunch in Marsaxlokk & Tour of Vittoriosa
7:15 p.m. GMAP Alumni Weekend Closing Dinner
Location: Caprice Lounge
Please note that the events schedule during the weekend are subject to change. Unless otherwise noted, events and meals will be held at the Corinthia Palace Hotel & Spa.
The “Top 10: Malta & Gozo” book is included in the alumni weekend gift bag.
Accommodations
The Malta Residency and GMAP Alumni Weekend will take place at the elegant 5-star Corinthia Palace Hotel & Spa, situated opposite the President’s Palace and adjacent San Anton Gardens, and just minutes from the medieval ‘silent city’ of Mdina and the cultural ambience of Valletta.
The hotel has extended their special discounted rate of 99 Euros + ECO tax per night (including breakfast, wifi, and VAT) for single occupancy (double occupancy is 119 Euros + ECO tax). A limited number of rooms are available at this rate and there is a one night non-refundable deposit required. In order to secure your booking with this special rate, complete the hotel’s registration form and email to sales.palace@corinthia.com. Further information and instructions found on form. The deadline to receive this special discounted rate through the hotel is Friday, December 9, 2016.
Please contact the GMAP Team at gmapalumniweekends@tufts.edu with any questions.