“As Malta positions itself at the forefront of international efforts for peace in the Middle East, Ukraine, and other regions, the government welcomes civil society initiatives that help ease the sufferings of communities in conflict zones.” During a meeting with Kamra tal-Periti on Thursday, Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade Ian Borg commended this Chamber for its upcoming collaboration with Birzeit University, which is organising an architectural educational experience for Palestinian architecture students in Malta.
Through this initiative, the Chamber is setting up a pop-up studio with 15 Palestinian architecture students, who will spend a few weeks in Malta this summer participating in a hands-on, transformative educational program that will give them the opportunity to work on a number of architecture projects locally. The studio will fuse Palestinian and Maltese design approaches by intertwining their respective architectural and cultural aspects. This project will give participants the opportunity to work together and share ideas while establishing important connections in the international architectural community.
The Chamber is calling on the public to support this project through different forms of assistance, including accommodation and travel sponsorships for the Palestinian students, local travel support for daily commutes, resources and materials for the pop-up studio and its projects, as well as mentorship opportunities with local professionals.
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs is providing Kamra tal-Periti with the required consular assistance to facilitate the students’ travels to Malta and other logistical support.
Minister Ian Borg encouraged individuals and businesses who can contribute to this initiative to get in touch with the Chamber and provide the required assistance.
“The real test of our country’s commitment to peace, mutual respect, and generosity towards people living in conflict zones is the success of such intercultural collaborations. Through Malta’s engagements in different international forums, including our current dual role with the chairmanship of the OSCE and our membership in the United Nations Security Council, we are constantly affirming Malta as a trustworthy agent of peace in the Mediterranean and beyond. We want our civil society to follow in the same direction,” the minister said.
Educational initiatives aimed at young people are even more significant as they help nurture stronger communities, the minister concluded, as he reiterated his conviction that education is the greatest key to peace.
Kamra tal-Periti President Perit Andre Pizzuto echoed the Minister’s call to alleviate the suffering of communities in conflict zones. He emphasised that the role of architects goes beyond merely designing buildings. “Architecture is about building communities through cultural gestures in public space that aim to improve the quality of life of those who inhabit it,” Pizzuto said.
Perit Pizzuto added, “Establishing robust collaboration among Mediterranean architects not only strengthens our professional ties but also amplifies our collective impact on regional development. This summer, we are assisting our Palestinian colleagues in a focused effort to enrich their students’ educational experiences through international exposure.”
To support this initiative, contact Kamra tal-Periti by email at jvassallo@kamratalperiti.org or via phone or WhatsApp at +356 99 202 406.
