The Insuleur Executive Training Programme 2008 will take place for the first time in Gozo from the 12th to 13th of June 2008 at the University Gozo Centre, Xewkija Gozo.

The programme is organized by INSULEUR -The Association of European Insular Chambers of Commerce and Industry - in collaboration with the Gozo Business Chamber and the Islands and Small States Institute, University of Malta.

INSULEUR is the Network of the Island Chambers of Commerce and Industry of the European Union. It is a non-profit association established according to Greek law. It operates at a European level to enhance economic and social development of the EU islands through close cooperation of island Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

The present president is Mr. Raymond Ceccaldi, as well President of Ajaccio & Corsica South Chamber of Commerce (France). The Secretariat General of INSULEUR is placed in Chios (Greece). INSULEUR is mainly made up of the Chambers of Commerce and Unions of Chamber of Commerce from EU islands. Furthermore any legal entity whose main object is the development of the European Union island regions may register as an associated member. The objectives of INSULEUR are:

? To collaborate and support the island regions of the European Union, to put an end to isolation, to put forward their particularities and to formulate propositions for the solution of their problems.

? To elaborate an integrated policy for the development of their regions and to collaborate closely, in this respect, with European institutions, as well as with governmental and nongovernmental organizations.

? To encourage initiatives, projects and perspectives concerning the economic development of the island regions of the European Union.

? To record the specific problems of undertakings in the island regions of the European Union, study them and submit original propositions.

? To organize information and research activities with the view to facilitate the realization of the above objectives.

For further information, please visit INSULEUR website: www.insuleur.net...

Gozo Business Chamber

The Gozo Business Chamber was founded by a public deed on 20th December 1999, to promote the common interests of business operators in Gozo.

The present president is Mr. Joe Grech. The GBC offices are placed in Victoria, Gozo.

The aims of the Gozo Business Chamber are:

? To safeguard and promote the common interests of the members of the Chamber.

? To address issues particularly those associated with the regionality and insularity of Gozo, which can hinder the smooth running of business concerns in Gozo

? To promote and whenever possible, assist in the process of improving the commercial opportunities in Gozo

? To foster and enhance cooperation amongst members of the Chamber

? To act as a mediator, whenever the need arises, both amongst members and also between members and third parties

? To represent its members during discussions with regional, national and international organisations and authorities

? To educate its members and to provide guidelines for a code of conduct to be observed by its members during the course of their business.

Since its formation, the Chamber has already made several representations with the authorities on behalf of its members; collaboration agreements with the Gozo Tourism Association and the Malta Chamber of Commerce, and published unbiased educational material concerning the effects of European Union membership.

The Gozo Business Chamber has successfully established the following affiliations:

? Associate member of the Malta Chamber of Commerce

? Member of INSULEUR

? The Gozo Business Chamber is supported by Bank of Valletta.

For further information, please visit Gozo Business Chamber website:

www.gozobusinesschamber.org

Islands and Small States Institute (University of Malta)

The Islands and Small States Institute promotes research and training on economic, social, cultural, ecological and geographical aspects of islands and small states. It also offers post-graduate courses on islands and small states studies.

Based at the University of Malta, the institute evolved from the Islands and Small States Programme which had been set up in 1989 at the Foundation for International Studies. In 1993, the Programme was restructured as an Institute with the principal aim of enabling the organization to offer academic courses.

For further information, please visit Islands and Small States website: home.um.edu...

Executive Training Programme - Malta 2008

INSULEUR is pleased to present the 1st Executive Training Program, given in English, in collaboration with the Gozo Business Chamber and the Islands and Small States Institute (University of Malta), that will take place on 12-13 June 2008 at the University Gozo Centre (Malta).

PARTICIPANTS: This Program is designated for Executives of insular Chambers members of INSULEUR and other organizations (CRPM, EOAEN, ESIF, etc.), and experts of competent Ministries of Member States and Insular Regions, and aims to promote the sustainable development of the islands.

GOALS: The objective of the Executive Training Programme is to help participants to familiarize themselves with issues of insular development and to offer them the necessary instruments to support their organizations to achieve a double mission:

1) to take an active part in the European Union and National Policy Plans for the development of the insular areas of the European Union and;

2) to contribute to the development of the insular regions under their jurisdiction, to take an active part in the realization of projects of insular development and to place at the disposal of their members the services of information and support. In addition, the trained persons will develop personal relations and contacts, which will enable them to jointly exploit future plans of cooperation.

3. The Programme

Wednesday, 11th June 2008

Arrival of participants

Thursday, 12th June 2008

09.00-09.30: Introductory speeches

? Professor Lino Briguglio, Islands & Small States Institute (University Malta), Director ? Mr. Joe Grech, Gozo Business Chamber, President

? Mr. George Asonitis, INSULEUR, Technical Committee

? Honorable Minister Giovanna Debono, Ministry for Gozo

09.30-10.30 Lecture 1: "Meaning of Sustainable Development with Special Reference to Islands"

10.30-11.00 Coffee break 11.00-12.00 Lecture 2: "Economic Vulnerability and Resilience with Reference to Islands"

12.00-13.00 Lecture 3: "Sustainable Tourism and Islands"

13.00-14.30 Lunch

14.30-15.30 Lecture 4: "Environment and Islands: with emphasis to Climate Change"

15.30-16.30 Lecture 5: "Energy and Islands: Alternative Energy Sources"

16.30 End of 1st day work

Friday, 13th June 2008

09.00-10.00 Lecture 6: "Maximizing the Competitiveness Potential of Small European Islands"

10.00-11.00 Lecture 7: "How to construct composite indices"

11.00-11.30 Coffee break

11.30-13.00 Lecture 8: "Simulation Exercise" - How to Draft a Proposal for a EU Programm 13.00-14.30 Lunch

14.30-16.30 General discussion and Conclusions

16.30 End of 2nd day work

4. The location of Gozo Island

Gozo is known to provide a tranquil haven for a tempo and scene change. The charm of Malta's sister Island is immediately apparent; it's greener, more rural and smaller, with life's rhythms dictated by the seaso
ns, fishing and agriculture.

Steeped in myth, Gozo is thought to be the legendary Calypso's isle of Homer's Odyssey - a peaceful, mystical backwater. Baroque churches and old stone farmhouses dot the countryside.

Gozo's rugged landscape and spectacular coastline await exploration with some of the Mediterranean's best dive sites.

The Island also comes complete with historical sites, forts and amazing panoramas, as well as one of the archipelago's best-preserved prehistoric temples, Ggantija.

Gozo also possesses a nightlife and cultural calendar all of its own, with some great dining out.

For more information, please visit the Official Tourism Site for Malta, Gozo and Comino website: www.visitmalta.com...

University of Malta, Gozo Centre

The University Gozo Centre, placed in the village of Xewkija, assists in the logistical aspects of degree and diploma courses which may be organized by the University in Gozo. Short term courses are also offered. Furthermore, the Centre caters for the needs of the increasing number of students from Gozo who study on the main campus.

Several courses have so far been successfully completed. During the academic year 2007-2008 the following courses are held at the Centre:

? Diploma in Commerce

? Diploma in Lace Studies

? Diploma in Rural Entrepreneurship

? Bachelor of Arts

? Bachelor of Commerce

? Master of Arts in Islands and Small States Studies

The Institute is directed by Professor Lino Briguglio. He also is Head of the Economics Department of the University of Malta. He currently acts as CEO of the Foundation for International Studies and the University Centre on the Island of Gozo.

His main area of interest is islands and small states studies, in particular economic aspects, and he has authored many publications on this subject. He is known internationally for his seminal work on the "Vulnerability Index".

The Centre publishes books and special studies on different aspects of Gozitan life. A quarterly magazine entitled The Gozo Observer is also published. There is close collaboration with the Ministry for Gozo in the organization of various activities.

For more information, please visit the University of Malta website: http://www.um.edu.mt/