The Malta–Ethiopia Connecting Classrooms Project officially concluded last Friday with a symbolic ceremony held at Ġnien Carmelo Dimech, Mosta.
Led by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), this flagship initiative has strengthened educational and cultural ties between Malta and Ethiopia, fostering shared values of integrity, ethics, and responsibility among young people.
Reflecting on the success of the project, Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg said:
“It was a great pleasure to see this project born and today bearing its fruit. Nearly 200 students together with those from Ethiopia discussed our principles and values—those of the rule of law, democracy, and the fight against corruption. We could see what these meant for our young participants, who, together with their educators, have shown great interest in these subjects. I believe that such a project will leave its mark.”
Launched in October 2024, the project brought together 253 participants, including students and educators from both countries, who collaborated through digital classrooms, interactive sessions, and cultural exchange. Through these activities, participants explored values such as honesty, fairness, accountability, and respect—core elements of ethical citizenship.
Throughout 2025, students and teachers took part in live Connecting Classrooms sessions, UNODC-led training aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 16, and the development of educational resources. GRACE materials were translated into Amharic to support their continued use in Ethiopian schools, while a documentary capturing the project’s journey will be presented at the 11th Conference of the States Parties to the UN Convention against Corruption (CoSP) in Doha.
During Friday’s ceremony, the Deputy Prime Minister, Ian Borg, was joined by Miriam Dalli, Minister for the Environment, Energy and Public Cleanliness. Together with students and educators, they planted the first of the Integrity Trees, symbolising the values nurtured and shared throughout the project. Certificates of participation were also presented to students and educators in recognition of their contributions.
Minister Dalli remarked that “This initiative is integrating important values for our students – values like integrity, the importance of looking out for one another, and key environmental principles. The trees these children are planting will remain a living reminder of these values”.
The Malta–Ethiopia Connecting Classrooms Project has strengthened ethical literacy, encouraged responsible digital citizenship, and built bridges of empathy between two diverse societies. The trees planted in Mosta will remain as a living symbol of this partnership – reminding future generations that integrity, much like nature, must be cultivated, protected, and allowed to grow.
Photo: MFT/MEEC
