6 November - 6 December, Malta
The 19th edition of the annual five-week Training Programme was successfully delivered by the IOI Malta Training Centre in collaboration with the University of Malta. This year’s programme brought together 15 participants from diverse backgrounds and nationalities, guided by Awni Behnam (Honorary President of the IOI) as Course Director and Alan Deidun, Director of the IOI Malta Training Centre, as Course Manager. As in previous years, the programme was expertly supported by the dedicated course administration team, including Celine Farrugia and Marco Iannaccone. Participants were once again offered the unique opportunity to gain formal accreditation from the University of Malta by completing the full Study Unit assessments, which were equivalent to 15 ECTS credits.
This year’s 15 participants hailed from 10 countries, including British, Chinese, Georgian, Indian, Iranian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Tunisian, Turkish, and Ukrainian nationals; participants brought diverse academic and professional backgrounds, ranging from marine and coastal management to law, policy, and aquaculture.
The opening ceremony of this year’s IOI Malta Training Programme featured distinguished speakers, including President Emeritus George Vella, former EU Commissioner for Maritime Affairs Karmenu Vella, and Christopher Cutajar, Permanent Secretary within the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs and Trade (MFET). Representing the IOI Malta Training Centre were Awni Behnam, Alan Deidun, and Antonella Vassallo, who warmly welcomed the participants and emphasized the critical role of capacity-building in regional ocean governance.
This year’s Training Programme introduced several innovative aspects to enhance participants' learning experiences. The Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) exercise within the GSC5102 study-unit underwent a thorough overhaul, guided by Andrej Abramic and Alan Deidun. This revamped exercise adopted a broader regional focus, providing participants with a more comprehensive perspective on spatial planning challenges and solutions. Additionally, Alicia Said, the Maltese Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries and Aquaculture, delivered a lecture on the dynamics of Malta’s artisanal fishing sector, offering valuable insights into sustainable fisheries practices. Participants also attended a specialized lecture on the critical importance of cybersecurity in the shipping sector, which highlighted emerging challenges and solutions in maritime operations.
The programme combined academic and practical learning through various methods, including class-based lectures, policy simulations, scenario planning, and role-playing games. Participants applied their newly acquired knowledge to real-world situations, such as mock meetings and policy drafting exercises.
The field trips enriched the learning experience by taking participants to areas of significant marine and coastal importance in Malta. This year’s visits included: the Malta Freeport; Field Trip 1 (Sea/Land-Based) – Grand Harbour and surrounding areas; the Ta' Barkat Sewage Treatment Plant; the Tsunami Early-Warning System in Marsaxlokk; the National Aquarium; the IMO Maritime Law Institute; the AFM Maritime Squadron; and the Esplora Interactive Science Museum. A social event, the "Taste of Malta" evening organized at the Preluna Hotel SkyBar, complemented the academic aspects of the programme, offering participants the opportunity to experience Maltese cuisine and culture while fostering camaraderie in a relaxed setting.
The programme culminated in the hallmark Regional Ocean Policy Frameworks Simulation exercise, where participants engaged in drafting regional policies under the guidance of experts. This practical application of policy-making reinforced their understanding of governance and collaboration across the Mediterranean, Black, Baltic, and Caspian Seas.
On the final day, participants attended the IOI Special Seminar, titled ‘From Promises to Practice: Addressing the Disconnect Between Global Ocean Goals and Effective Implementation.’ The seminar featured interventions by representatives from the Malta Climate Action Authority, UNCTAD, The Edward de Bono Institute for Creative Thinking and Innovation, SOA Malta, the IOI, and the University of Malta. Read more about the Seminar here.