Dual Master's in CRAMS Cohort Reflects on First Month
The Dual Master’s Degree in Conflict Resolution and Mediterranean Security (CRAMS), which S-CAR offers in collaboration with the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies (MEDAC) in Malta, is currently celebrating its seventh year. The new ten-member cohort, comprising a diverse team of young conflict analysts, just completed successfully their first month in the program, a busy, yet rewarding month, that started with a three-day orientation and was followed by four weeks of coursework. During these first four weeks, group members had the opportunity to meet and discuss with local civil society actors, as well as representatives from international organizations working in the region; visited an art exhibition which centered on refugee narratives; and actively participated in the Mediterranean Forum organized by the Anna Lindh Foundation in partnership with the Maltese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Naturally, if Malta’s strategic location is taken into consideration, a key theme that keeps emerging in the program’s coursework, as well as in extracurricular curricular activities, is that of the current migration movements in the region of the Mediterranean - a phenomenon, which in the frame of the Program is subject to systematic study in all its dimensions, from current manifestations and relational dynamics, to its structural underlying causes and conditions.
On October 7, 2016, Marcelle Bugre, a program alumna and active member of the Maltese civil society, talked to the group about the work she and her organization, the Foundation for Shelter and Support to Migrants, have been doing over the past years providing relief and empowering migrant communities in Malta. Group members found the discussion with Marcelle “informative, interesting, and attention grabbing,” and really appreciated the stories she shared from her personal experience working with migrant groups.
On October 13, 2016, the group visited the Bodiless Exhibition at the Malta Maritime Museum - a visual art exhibition organized by KOPIN, an international NGO with a presence in Malta. The exhibition that the students saw centered on reconstructing and retelling African migration and refugee narratives. The group was offered a tour by KOPIN’s Deputy Executive Director, Dominik Kalweit, who had an engaging discussion with our group about the complexities of current migration movements in the Mediterranean and the responses of the European societies.
Moreover, the head of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees mission in Malta, Beat Schuler, joined our group on October 19th for a two-hour session. In his presentation and subsequent discussion with group members, Dr. Schuler provided information of the facts of the current migration movements in the region and offered insights on legal instruments safeguarding the rights of refugees. The discussion also touched upon the work of the UNHCR in Malta and regionally to respond to the current crisis; the underlying causes and conditions of migration; and the question of whether and how the ‘Responsibility to Protect’ principle may be applied to the ongoing crisis.
On October 24 and 25, 2016, members of the new cohort also had the opportunity to participate in the 2-day Mediterranean Forum organized by the Anna Lindh Foundation, the largest civil society gathering in the region, which brought together 600 civil society representatives, policy-makers, media, and international donors from 42 countries, working in the field of intercultural dialogue, youth empowerment, gender equality, social entrepreneurship, and more. The Forum’s agenda was to “accelerate and scale-up the impact and reach of intercultural action to counter forces fueling polarization and extremism.” Through their active participation, CRAMS group members not only got exposure to the workings of an important forum at the international level, where cross-fertilization of ideas and practices takes place, but were also able to contribute through their active engagement to the Forum’s overall mission.
Finally, on October 28, Mario Gerada, from the Jesuit Refugee Service delivered a presentation on the JRS work on Reconciliation, followed by a lively discussion based on his long and diverse experience as an activist on refugee issues, as well as on issues of the LGBT community in Malta. One student noted: “Mario’s presentation took us one step closer to truly understanding what true reconciliation is,” with another one adding:, “Mario's presence and discussion felt more like a conversation, and I especially enjoyed his presentation of how humanity is necessary if you want to be effective in communicating in conflict situations.”
These first weeks have just been the beginning of a wonderful journey for the members of the new CRAMS cohort who, although they have spent just a few weeks together, have formed a lively community of young conflict analysts. Subsequent coursework, out of campus activities, field trips, and social events will make this educational experience richer. We wish our new cohort a great year ahead, in this pioneering Dual Master’s Degree Program.