Climate Change: National Responses to Global Action is being organised by the Department of International Relations, University of Malta, Aula Magna, Valletta. This symposium is being held on the 7 January 2010.

Programme

9.00 am
Dr Isabelle Calleja Ragonesi, Head of Department, International Relations, University of Malta.
Introduction: Environment in International Relations.

9.05 am       
Mr Michael Zammit Cutajar, Ambassador on Climate Change, Malta
Key Note Speech: to be confirmed

9.25 am       
Profs David Attard, Director of the IMO International Maritime Law Institute.
“Do small countries have a weak voice in International environmental fora?”

9.35 am       
Dr Simone Borg, Co-ordinator, Environmental and Planning Law Unit, Faculty of Laws.
“Climate change and the future of international law”

9.45 am   
Profs Lino Brigulio, Director of the Islands & Small States Institute of the Foundation for International Studies.
“Climate Change and small island states”.

9.55 am       
Discussant’s comments
Ms Vanya Walker-Leigh, economist and journalist. She has covered nine UN Climate Change conferences. She represents Nature Trust Malta on the global 500-organisation Climate Action Network International.

10.05 am   
Coffee break

10.40 am   
Panel Discussion chaired by Dr Carmen Sammut,
Lecturer in Environment and IR, University of Malta.

Participants:

• Hon George Pullicino, Minister for Resources and Rural Affairs, whose portfolio includes responsibility for Climate Change and Energy.
• Hon Leo Brincat, Labour Party, Shadow minister responsible for climate change issues.
• Carmel Cacopardo, Alternativa Demokratika (Green Party) Spokesman on Sustainable Development and Local Government
• Dr Chris Ciantar, Permanent Secretary within the  Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs. Dr Ciantar is a graduate in engineering, and has previously held directorship posts in waste management)
• Ing. Marco Cremona, a hydrologist and environmental consultant, member of the Committee entrusted with the formulation of a National Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change.
• Peter Grima, Chief Technical Officer, Enemalta, where portfolio includes Electricity Generation and Distribution Operations, major projects and development of the generation and distribution systems and EU affairs.
• Caroline Muscat, Assistant Editor, The Sunday Times.
• David Spiteri Gingell, Chairman of the Climate Change Committee, which drafted the proposed National Strategy for Policy and Abatement Measures Relating to the Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions.
• Dr Harry Vassallo, Editor of the Sunday paper Illum.
• Dr Karl Vella, Lawyer within the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs.
• Comments from the floor, with the participation of environmental NGOs.

12.50 PM   
Discussant’s report.
Ms Michael Muscat, PhD candidate, LSE, London.

1.00 pm       
Lunch Break

2.00 pm       
Workshops with presentations, chaired by Dr Isabelle Calleja, Ms Valentina Cassar, Dr Arsalan Alshinawi and Dr Carmen Sammut.

4.00 pm   
DVC with the USA (to be confirmed)

4.30 pm       
Closing