The 18 December marks International Migrants' Day. This day, celebrated globally, highlights the contributions made by millions of migrants and internally displaced persons, besides pointing out the challenges faced by these people. The guiding principle for this day is that migration ought to be humane and orderly to provide benefits to migrants, as well as to the wider societies, both of the sending and hosting countries.

Earlier this year, the University of Malta (UM) Senate approved the setting up of the Platform for Migration, with the aim of promoting migration-related research, and at the same time facilitating synergies, dialogue and training initiatives between various entities at UM.

The University Senate has appointed a number of UM staff, whose research interest is related to migration, as committee members of the Platform for Migration, namely Prof. Andrew Azzopardi, Dr Rose Marie Azzopardi, Dr Stavros Assimakopoulos, Prof. Helen Grech, Dr Omar Grech, Dr Francois Mifsud, Dr Maria Pisani, Dr Isabelle Ragonesi, Prof. Carmel Vassallo, Dr David E. Zammit. The Committee also includes two student representatives, Ms Julia Zammit and Mr Neil Zahra.

A video has been produced to provide an overview of the scope of the Platform for Migration. Information about the Platform and its members and activities is available on the website which has also been launched today.

Besides visiting the website to learn more about migration-related matters, individuals with an interest in this can also become members of the Platform and register via the online form [link to website Registration page]. The website will be updated continually to include material which is relevant to the theme of migration as well as about activities and research initiatives.

If you would like to get to know more about the Platform for Migration contact the Committee via email