The Valletta 2018 Foundation will be hosting the first in a series of annual conferences titled “Dialogue in the Med: exploring identity through networks” on 4^th and 5^th September at the University of Malta, Valletta Campus. This will encourage debate on the common histories and geo-political realities of Europe and the Mediterranean within the spheres of international relations and cultural diplomacy.

The conference will be addressed by various local and international speakers originating from the fields of culture, diplomacy, arts and academia. Keynote speeches will be delivered by Prof. Henry Frendo and Prof. Mostafa Hassani Idrissi.

Capacity building through networks; Overcoming challenges to mobility; (Re)defining cultural identity in the Mediterranean; and Diplomacy through dialogue are the conference’s thematic areas. Speakers will address these themes in light of their expertise within the fields of cultural practice and diplomacy.

Speakers at the conference will be presenting their work related to artist mobility between North African countries and Europe; intercultural dialogue and cultural exchange within previous European Capitals of Culture, amongst others.

The series of annual international conferences will address different aspects related to cultural relations in Europe and the Mediterranean, within the context of Valletta as European Capital of Culture 2018.

Further information, including the full conference programme and information on speakers and presentations, can be accessed at the Valletta 2018 Foundation website (www.valletta2018.org).