Euro-Med Movement

The Euro-Med Movement was launched on the 16th of September 2003, by Core Coordinator and Journalist Joe Mifsud on a fundamental maxim that "If there is no stability in the Mediterranean, there will be no peace and stability in Europe"

Although based and managed in Malta by local individuals, the International launch of the new movement was held in Israel including a presentation of the manifesto during the activities held to celebrate the 80th birthday of former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres. Former statesmen Bill Clinton and Michael Gorbachev were present at the Peres reception when the Movement's launch was held.

As part of the official activities organized during the international launch, the Euro-Med Movement coordinated a role-playing project developed by Israeli and Palestinian youths in previous meetings in Malta. For a few moments, the youths swapped their identities -- Israelis became Palestinians and Palestinians became Israelis. A packed audience heard their experiences and difficulties they are currently facing as well as their fears and hopes.

At one point, an Israeli young woman playing the role of a Palestinian young woman started recounting the ordeal that the Palestinian youth has to pass through in order to study. As she described the harassment that some of the Israeli soldiers inflicted on the Palestinian young woman, the Israeli young woman became very moved and cried in front of the world leaders present.

Meanwhile, informal activity had already been taking place for months prior to the actual launch. Such as being responsible for the logistics of two events organised by the Peres Centre for Peace in Malta: 'Palestinian-Israel Youth Forum' (Aug '02) and 'Theatre in Education' (Oct '02).

The activities saw Israeli and Palestinian youths coming to Malta and joining in common activities in an atmosphere totally different from the one back home. Hence, prior to official launch, the Movement was already in full swing organizing important projects.