ISSI and RESI host advanced course in SIDS leadership

The Islands and Small States Institute (ISSI) in collaboration with Resilient and Sustainable Islands Initiative (RESI), a global advisory network based within the Overseas Development Institute (ODI), hosted 20 participants from Small Island Developing States (SIDS), hailing from all corners of the Oceans. This first week of lectures and field visits marked the beginning of specialised training aimed to advance knowledge for SIDS in global leadership, and part of the ‘Award in Islands, Small States and Archipelago Studies´. This series of micro-credentials offered by the ISSI is aimed at strengthening continuous development of professionals and high officials to foster new thinking and ideas for SIDS global advocacy.

This Award is benefitting from funds made available by the UK government’s Small Island Developing States Capacity and Resilience (SIDAR) through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. The lecturers involved in the Award are Dr Emily Wilkinson (Director of RESI), Dr Matthew Bishop (Senior Lecturer at the University of Sheffield and co-director of RESI), Dr George Carter (Deputy Head of Department of the Pacific Affairs, Australian National University and co-director of RESI), Dr Courtney Lindsay (Co-director of RESI), Prof. Jack Corbett (Head of School of Social Science, Monash University and co-director of RESI), Dr Pedro Pombo (Lecturer and resident academic ISSI), and Prof. Stefano Moncada (Director, ISSI).

Participants welcomed Permanent Secretary Cristopher Cutajar for the opening ceremony, who praised the initiative and confirmed Malta’s role in championing the interests and role of small states worldwide. Furthermore, the Australian and British High Commissions co-organised a reception, re-affirming the importance of strengthening diplomatic relations and initiatives with SIDS.

The first photo shows Permanent Secretary Christopher Cutajar in the opening ceremony (standing from right), while the second photo shows the whole group in one of the field visits at the Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra archaeological park.

To follow the research activities of the ISSI, please visit their website.

For further details/interviews please contact Stefano Moncada on stefano.moncada@um.edu.mt / +356 23402117